Cory Juan, Julie Holland Javier, Jerry Medina and Michael Pajemolin will make big differences in our school system
We have four kababayans (compatriots) running for school board of trustees who have big on ideas and programs which we believe they will be initiated into actions and to be executed to effect a much better education of our children; and to the satisfaction of the taxpayers.
To give them some tools in the decision making process, we are giving them some inspiring thoughts to effect some creative and bold actions which are necessary ingredients to go forward in this ever-changing world of ours.
“We have an obligation and a responsibility to be investing in our students and our school. We must make sure that people who have the great desire and the will, but not the money, can still get the best education possible.” President Barack Obama.
Although this message is intended to the American people, its meaning is universal; and this must be the guiding principle for the decision makers who will take leadership in our school system.
And ponders on the following quotations:
“The task of modern education is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts.” C.W. Lewis or “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” W.Butler Yeats; and “Intelligence plus character that is the goal of education.” Martin Luther King, Jr. and ” Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela; and examine this: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair a broken men.” Frederick Douglas; and watch this instinctively: “If education is expensive, try ignorance.” Derek C. Bok; or “If a man neglects education, he walks lame to the end of his life.” Plato
The four kababayans, Cory Juan is running for a board of trustee position in the Seven Oaks School Division, Ward 2.(Maples, Amber Trails and Riverbend) And being a re-electionist, she wants to continue her work to effect more changes in the school system. She has been very active in the Seven Oaks School Division and currently the vice president of the Manitoba School Board Association. Cory Juan has been working to do better to improve the quality of Public Education for the sake of the students by: 1) equity and equality- equal representation of staffing including teachers, maintenance, clerical services and others; 2) mental health and active transportation to enhance better and healthy living; 3) paradigm shift- programs that include technology, vocational courses, adult learners and strategies that improve universal learning/teaching designs to meet the 22nd century;4) continue to network collegially with the different levels of government to procure equal funding for students; and 5) improving the preservation of our heritage culture, values that promote social justice Cory Juan says: ” I have the right attitude, great commitment and enthusiasm (A.C,.E.) to actively collaborate and cooperate in achieving our goals and priorities of the Seven Oaks School Division Division. As the Vice-President of the Manitoba School Board Association, I am aware and well-versed of the issues of public education. We are here to improve the quality of education for the sake of the students.
And this what John F. Kennedy stresses: “Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities because in each of us there is a private hope and dreams which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefits for everyone and greater strength for our nation.”
“Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself.” John Dewey or “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth” Diogenes.
Julie Holland Javier, vice-president of Manitoba Council of Canadian Filipino Associations Inc. (MaCCFA), member of the Winnipeg City Equity Committee, Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival, and one of the two candidates in Winnipeg School Division Ward 6, ( North of Sargent Ave., Notre Dame, Exchange District, St. James: part of Pt. Douglas and Daniel McIntyre wards) has found time to be active in the various communities in spite of demand of her job as a health care professional. Being her first time to challenge herself as a trustee, Julie Javier has strongly advocating empowerment among the students to achieve their full potential in a global society. She says: To achieve this, we have to start a solid and strong foundation of early education, good citizenship, effective shared responsibilities of parenting and of the school system; to prepare, motivate and encourage each children to reach his or her potential within the safe, caring and cooperative environment.” When asked by the seniors on what the school system would serve them, Julie says: ” Schools are not only for the young, but also for you.’ And she will initiate wellness and health programs for the community at large especially for seniors. And this defines what Henry Ford says: “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” And Julie H. Javier has to initiate across the board nursery and kindergarten programs, try to learn from Gandhi: “To reach real peace in the world, we will have to begin with the children.” or what Dalai Lama says: “Children are our greatest untapped resources.”
“Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.” Plato
Jerry Medina is running as trustee for the Winnipeg School Division Ward 5 – (South of Sargent, Ellice and Portage Ave.). As an active volunteer, Jerry Medina is so passionate in basketball, a major sport event in the Filipino community, when he founded IKAW. “In my 22 years of experience as a basketball commissioner, I have been involved in running a FREE community basketball tournaments for the kids. We want our kids to be involved, and help other kids out of the street. I would like that the School Division to actively encourage greater community use of school facilities and gyms.There should be no empty gyms on the weekends, weekdays, either for basketball, soccer of volleyball.” A business man and pre-plan counsellor, Jerry Medina wants to encourage more youth in sports esp. basketball. “Lets get them active at a very young age,” Medina says. And this true that Plato says: “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversion.” and for the young player, Plato says: “Never discourage anyone who continually making progress,no matter how slow!”
Michael Pajemolin, active member in Migrante Manitoba, volunteer, HOPE Worldwide Canada, Winnipeg Chapter; and board member, Manitoba Filipino Street Festival, and endorsed by labour council, is running for a school trustee, Winnipeg School Division,Ward 9 (Tyndal, Garden Grove, Burrows, Old Commonwealth, Prairie Rose) Michael Pajemolin brings a vibrant perspective to servant leadership. He had 10 years of experience developing programs and services that empowers youth that are out of school. Having experienc volunteering as a teacher he sees the important of Quality Education and the Wellbeing of Teachers and Students. He says: “Being a parent myself, I envision an empowering partnership between the School Board and the community.” As a community activist, Michael is passionate in advocating human rights and welfare of people around his circle of influence. As somebody who not only has read and study the philosophy of grassroots but has lived it, Michael Pajemolin will make sure that the residents of Ward 9 will have a voice in the Winnipeg School Division’s decision making process.
As what Nelson Mandela says: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” And try to examine this line: ” One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by inferiors.”Plato. And to give more insight, “Learning is not attained by chance,it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.” Abigail Adams; or think what Herbert Spencer says: “The greatest aim of education is not knowledge by action.”
And get this: “If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.” Mother Teresa. And be inspired by what Aristotle says: “The roots of education are bitter,but the fruit is sweeter. And from Pope Francis, he says: “Do not bury your talents the gifts that God has given you. Do not be afraid to dream of great things.”
The last but not the least: As Plato says: “In politics we presume that everyone who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a city or state. When we are ill, we do not ask for the handsomest physician or the most eloquent one.” And “Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.” Mother Teresa.
