1. What is your motivation for running in the election this year?
Betsy DeClercq (incumbent)
I have a passion for children, and to be a small part of the opportunity to share in the educational process for our students is very special.
Also very motivating to me are my two wonderful grandchildren living in our community and, in a couple years, little Myles will be in school! I am very excited about our spectacular new Jasper Junior/Senior High School and our ongoing collaboration with école Desrochers. I would like to continue to pursue the possibility of a student trustee or trustees on our board and our division still does not have a Health and Wellness Policy—so there is definitely more work to be done.
If re-elected, I am also going to request more meetings by video-conferencing, which means less driving back and forth to Edson for me, which also means less cost for our division.
Gerry Lettner
Student learning is my motivation.
A comprehensive education needs to encourage curiosity, problem solving and critical thinking, humanitarianism, self-confidence and respect for others. Learning opportunities provided by our schools need to be reinforced with real life experiences, both of which include successes and failures. High quality education is tremendously important at all levels. A highly effective learning environment takes time to evolve. It is all important for young learners to develop positive learning attitudes and skills. Learners should be encouraged and expected to strive for their full individual potentials in a supportive and caring environment.
What accomplishment or experience from your own personal background do you think best prepares you or qualifies you to be a trustee?
Betsy DeClercq (incumbent)
I have lived in Jasper for 41 years. I taught grades 2 to 6 at the Jasper Elementary School for 34 years. When I retired in 2005, I missed working with children, so I continued to substitute teach in both of our schools. It was fun to see grownup students who I had taught in Grade 4 and were now in high school! For the last six years I have been your school trustee and I am definitely prepared to serve for another four years with enthusiasm and dedication.
Gerry Lettner
My wife Alice and I have a family of five children and four grandchildren. Our experience with children, learning and education is extensive.I served as school trustee prior to relocating to Jasper five years ago. During my time as trustee, I served as: vice chair of the board, chair of the ATA negotiations committee, chair of the school, council liaison committee and member of the building committee. There were also several ad hoc committees and conferences.
Education is a significant part of my professional career. I received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta and a Master of Science from Michigan State University.
Professionally, during my 32 years in post secondary education, I was active as an instructor, program coordinator, program developer and industry liaison.
Over and above these responsibilities I served one term as faculty representative on the Board of Governors and five years as president of the faculty association.
It was necessary to maintain a high level of professional relations with a great variety of instructional and administrative staff.
The municipal election is Oct. 21. Polls will be open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Jasper Activity Centre. For those who won’t be able to vote on election day or during the advanced poll, there will be a special ballot process. Those ballots are only available by contacting Beryl Cahill, Jasper’s returning officer, at 780-852-6503.
