New Endorsement

I am humbled and grateful to post the most recent endorsement I received which is from Christopher Spencer, our current Ward C Trustee. He has been extremely patient having me as a parent in his Ward for the last 3-year term! I intend on building upon the legacy of integrity, authenticity, and leadership that he has begun.

"During my time on the school board, no parent in west-central Edmonton has been more involved in matters of education policy than Susan Ketteringham. She is smart, kind, enthusiastic and moderate – someone who considers an issue on its own merits, with an open mind, eager to do what’s best for children, families and the community. On Oct. 21st, Susan will have my vote."

Who Am I?

I am so blessed that as I venture from door-to-door (and my name is beginning to be associated with Ward C) that residents and families and community members are approaching me. I have this awesome visual in my mind of this phenomenal network I am creating so that come October 22nd, 2013 we can begin the work in earnest.

I did not fully appreciate how many people, and organizations, and groups would want to have my thoughts and perspectives on issues relating to education. It seems like there is always a survey waiting to be completed and I quite enjoy the process of articulating my thoughts "out loud" with careful consideration. My style will always be better suited to face-to-face conversations and taking the time to contemplate, and understand, and digest where Ward C residents are coming from is such worthwhile time.

Today two things happened almost simultaneously - receiving an email from an engaged Ward C voter and submitting my profile for the www.vote4kids.ca website. I decided to share my answers for the profile questions here on my blog in advance of them being posted on the ATA website. I do this because I want people to knowingly vote for me - make the choice based on a clear understanding of who I am, and what I stand for. That clarity is going to serve all of us for my four year term as Ward C Trustee. Thank you to the ATA for creating a distributing this survey!

Ketteringham for Ward C

Awesome Initiative

My phenomenal group of supporters came up with a fantastic idea to generate some revenue for my Campaign for Ward C Trustee - an Online Silent Auction. People are able to view and bid at their convenience and like the "7 Habits" my youngest in learning in Elementary School - it is a real 'win-win'. It allows me to reach more voters with my message and continue to have the extraordinary door-to-door conversations about public education in Edmonton. It also affords people the opportunity to bid on items and experiences they would find value in.

Of course there is also a 'donate' button in case anyone wants to contribute financially without participating in the online bidding.

I hope you enjoy the items posted so far, and we will be sure to communicate when new items are identified.

I encourage you to share the link so that everyone in your 'world' can enjoy!

Here is the link: http://www.32auctions.com/kett4wardc

Global TV Interview

For those of you who may have missed it, I was on Global TV Evening news last week being interviewed about my candidacy for Ward C Trustee. http://globalnews.ca/news/781179/municipal-election-candidates-hit-the-books-before-hitting-the-campaign-trail/

New Endorsements

It is an awesome, and humbling feeling when people express their excitement at my candidacy as the next Ward C Trustee.Thank you for the continued support!

From Joyce Sneddon – Teacher, Edmonton Public School Board

Susan Ketteringham is an amazing, strong leader who has the ability to bring her voice forward to create positive change for all stake holders. Having had the honour of watching her first hand in action working on the parent council at an Edmonton Public School, it was very apparent that Susan Ketteringham was a person who held education at the forefront and only wanted what was best for all students. Susan demonstrated that she is the type of leader who will work diligently for all stake holders and will always put students’ needs first and foremost. This is the exact type of leader Edmonton Public needs, a leader to instill change for the betterment of all stake holders.

From E. Joy Muller, Ph.D. – Yellowhead Youth Centre

I believe Susan will be a tremendous advocate for children and youth in the Public School Board. She has a demonstrated ability to challenge the status quo to achieve what she believes is right. She is ‘can do’ personified and insightful and experienced into the mechanics of business planning that looks toward the future. Her intimate experience as an Edmonton Public parent, Support Staff member, and Volunteer equip her with a solid baseline understanding of how the ‘system’ works. Her significant experience in the business world has equipped her to do ‘more with less’ and given her the mindset of always thinking ‘outside the box’; those character traits will serve the Ward C community very well in the coming four years.

New School Year Set Up

It seems quite foreign to me that I will not be involved this year in getting the School Council and Fundraising Society at my son’s elementary school set up. This is because for the first time since he started school I will not assume a formal role with either group as I intend on having the role of Ward C EPSB Trustee.

I have a great deal of admiration for the parents and community members who step forward to contribute positively to the education experience of students in the public system. Quite frankly, I had very little understanding of how many hours are selflessly dedicated by volunteers whether it is reading with children, working in the supply room, engaging with student field trips or assisting teaching staff and administration in general.

In addition to monthly meeting preparation and execution, high performing School Council and Fundraising Society teams across the system will spend the month of September …

• setting up teacher work request systems
• exploring and implementing fund-raising strategies
• creating 'Consent to Contact' distribution lists
• engaging on social media streams 
• recruiting new membership
• organizing Casino’s
• establishing reading schedules with students
• arranging Annual General Meetings
• setting up a hot lunch program
• establishing Kid’s Pantry’s and;
• generally engaging and communicating with the larger parent group

And then October comes!

They may also be advocating for larger scale initiatives and programs for their school; including driving enrolment, by-law updates and governance, results review and viable space utilization amongst other priorities. This is in addition to managing their already busy, full lives.

I encourage you to get engaged in even the smallest way; regardless of whether you have children attending Edmonton Public, or not. Last year one parent group I know of began utilizing the previously untapped resource of retired neighbours with great success. I guarantee that watching a grand-parent engage with students on a one-to-one basis will be the ultimate ‘win-win’.

I know some remarkable parent groups in Ward C and would love the opportunity to advocate for you as accurately as possible after the election on October 21st. Reach out today at ketteringham@shaw.ca or via cell at 587 988 5310 and share your concerns, hopes and dreams for the future of public education in Edmonton.