LadiesCorner Education
Back to School
Trisha Estabrooks Chair, Edmonton Public School Board
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risha, who serves as a Trustee of Ward D, is a former journalist and mother of two. Working as a journalist with CBC Radio and Television, Trisha felt she was very impartial on how she reported stories, however; “I had opinions, views and a desire to give back to the community and the city… I fell in love with Edmonton and the people here.” Trisha first ran for office in 2017. With her father being a teacher, she has seen first hand the difference that an education can make in a child’s life. “When you witness that and hear the stories, it is something that you can pour passion into and be an advocate for public education, knowing how much of a game changer it is for thousands of kids in our city.” Trisha enjoys her job and is proud to continue to serve as Board Chair representing a fast and growing school division. Trisha is honored to represent families, hear their stories and advocate for them. She knows that behind every phone call or conversation, there is a family with a child at the heart of it. Those conversations and connections are the most rewarding for her. Even though Tricia has a challenging job, she finds educators and those who
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work in this field are optimistic people and passionate about the next generation. “That positive energy is contagious.” Because Alberta Education works independently, the Alberta Teachers Association is a critical voice in education. Funding is one change that needs to be made. Trisha believes that conversations and collaboration are essential to finding solutions to bring awareness of issues faced in education. With the UPC Leadership change, Trisha hopes there will be a robust discussion about “investing in public education at this time.” The Bill “Choice in Education Act” makes it easier for Charter schools to set up in the province but Charter and private schools are not accessible like public schools for the general population. “Unfortunately, there have been steps that the government has taken that have undermined public education.” Edmonton Public School Board is a policy governance board with one employee, the Superintendent of Schools who is responsible for operations of schools. The Board of Trustees sets the vision and charges the Superintendent to carry that out. The LadiesCorner – Fall 2022
Edmonton area encompasses 213 schools and almost 109,000 students (now at about 110,000 students), and 10,000 staff. A four-year strategic plan, recently updated, is the guide for the Board. Edmonton Public needs to be intentional about actively being an antiracist school division. There is much work to do regarding this and reconciliation. Edmonton is the first school division in Alberta to collect race-based data – extended demographic data. Focus also needs to be about talking about mental health. Trisha stated that, “throughout the global pandemic, our schools were there… in challenging times.” The message she wants to leave with anyone who works with kids in the division is huge gratitude for the way communities supported each other. Trisha balances her life by riding her bike, running and enjoying the outdoors. Books she enjoyed reading are Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga and Lawrence Hill’s Book of Negroes which are stories that inform us. The future looks brighter as Trisha helps to create a road map for Edmonton.
