My Journey in Education
Experience That Has Shaped My Perspective
For more than 25 years, I have worked in public education with the Vancouver School Board. I spent more than 18 of those years working in inner-city schools as an Administrative Assistant, where I gained a firsthand understanding of the day-to-day realities facing students, families, educators, and school communities.
I later spent more than seven years working at the district level in Employee Services. That experience broadened my perspective beyond individual schools and gave me a deeper understanding of how a large school district operates, how decisions are made, and how those decisions ultimately affect the people within our schools.
In 2024, I also volunteered as Director of Accommodation for the BC Summer Games. Working alongside district staff to coordinate school accommodations for athletes gave me the opportunity to visit sites throughout Maple Ridge and become more familiar with the size, scope, and facilities of SD42.
Together, these experiences have taught me the value of listening before deciding, understanding an issue from more than one perspective, and asking thoughtful questions before reaching conclusions. They have also given me a practical understanding of public education from both the school and district level experience I would bring with me to the Board table.
What Guides Me
Values I Bring to Public Service
I believe good decisions begin with respect, fairness, and a willingness to understand the full picture. My approach is to consider different perspectives, ask questions, look carefully at the information available, and make decisions that are thoughtful, practical, and focused on the broader needs of our school community.
I value collaboration over division and believe strong governance depends on people working constructively together. I will bring an open mind, steady judgment, and a commitment to serving SD42 with integrity, while respecting the important roles of students, families, educators, staff, and community partners.
I also believe being accessible matters. I welcome questions, ideas, and perspectives from across our community, and I encourage you to reach out and connect with me.
“I’m running to support every student’s success, strengthen the voice of families in our schools, and bring thoughtful, transparent leadership to the decisions that shape the future of SD42.”
Karen Redkwich
Candidate for SD42 School Trustee