Andrene Gregory

Trustees, the Board, and the Province

Accountability for students' achievement and well-being. Accountability, not as punishment but as a duty to care. Knowing whether the system is working, where it is failing and why, bec every student deserves a fair, quality education. I was trained to listen, ask difficult questions, identify gaps and bring people to a resolution. I don't just see problems and complain about them. I listen, research, investigate, communicate, and challenge the status quo—that is what raising the standard is about—finding improvements & making recommendations.

Bullying in Schools

My first responsibility would be to ensure that the safety compliance set out by the Education Act is followed. Bullying and discrimination cannot and should never be overlooked or minimized. Both can cause serious harm and fatality. But we have to care for all our students–both the perpetrators and victims. I would support safety first, then intervention and restoration followed by accountability and monitoring. A successful resolution is not necessarily discipline and punishment but the quality of care taken to ensure everyone’s well-being.

Class Sizes and Staffing

As a TDSB Trustee, I understand that I don't have jurisdiction over hiring and firing, so I would prioritize students' and teachers' well-being because we cannot talk about accountability without talking about care. That is the essence of my platform and what raising the standard means: educational enrichment, quality of care, accountability and opportunity for everyone to thrive. This is not simply an issue about staffing; it is also a socio-economic issue that boils down to budget and which schools, jurisdictions and programs are prioritized.

Special Programs and Program Access

I had a child who was diagnosed with ADHD in grade two, and both children attended French immersion from kindergarten and later double majored in the Arts. Now my granddaughter is in French immersion and showing strong interest in the Arts. So, these issues are near and dear to my heart. While none of my children had an IEP, I had to navigate the system with diligence to ensure that my daughter with ADHD education was never compromised. This is where I believe in the importance of parental involvement and being a strong advocate for their child