Current Occupation
Speech Language
Pathologist, Executive Director, Kick Start Therapy and Coordinator with Local
Health Integrated Network.
Volunteer work and Community Involvement
- Founder and Executive Director of Kick Start Therapy, providing affordable speech- language therapy as well as ABA services. In the past have worked as Speech language Pathologist with Trillium Hospital, Erinokakids, York Region School Board, and Peel district school board.
- Board of Director of RANA Organization.
- Vice president, cultural activities with RANA Organization
- Organized several parent training workshops in the community to educate caregivers related to speech and language disorders,
- Volunteers with multiple community organizations to raise funds for Hospital for Sick Children.
- Organized and volunteered to arrange cultural performances in the community.
- Organized information sessions for parents with special needs to navigate them through the school system.
- Actively involved in mentorship program for new clinicians to help better understand the community, ethnicity, cultural needs and to advocate on behalf of children and family.
- Member of Peel Chapter, Autism Ontario and of Ontario association of families of children with communication disorders.
- Involved with Terry Fox walk and raise funds by organizing community events.
Priorities
- Proper allocation of funding for Advance Academic Excellence of students.
- Active engagement of students to craft policies in accordance with ministry of education /guidelines.
- Inclusion and more funding for children with special needs (Autism, ADHD, LD etc).
- Professional growth and development of teachers and support staff.
- Strong financial oversight to reduce waste and stretch educational dollars.
- Focus on providing Equal Opportunity to every student in order to provide mental well -being and holistic growth.
- Work towards strong resources to put in place related to cell phones, technology and cyber bullying to provide safe environment for students.
- Reduce wait time to access allied health professional services (for example- Psych educational, social worker, Occupational therapy, Speech and Language therapy and Physiotherapy).
Why am I running for this election?
As a mother of two, my love and passion for children, and
as speech language pathologist servicing the community for sixteen years I have
decided to run for the position of school board trustee for ward 3 (L6W) and
Ward 4 (L6Y), Brampton which will allow me to help students of all ages reach
their fullest potential.
Recent EQAO results in Math for Grade 6 shows only 49
per cent students met the provincial math standard 2017-2018. EQAO Math results
for Grade 3 shows 61 per cent met the provincial standards in 2017-2018, down
from 67 per cent in 2013-2014. We need to change the education system for
better to reflect upward trends in Math. I believe that Math, Science, Language
and Arts are critical subjects and requires good resources, training and techniques
in place so that every child reach his /her potential.
Stats show that 1 in 5 teenagers at some point in life
have been victim of cyber bullying. Suicidal rates, Depression, Mental Health
issues and usage of substance have increased and has been linked to cyber
bullying / bullying. The stats also show that 60% of student who bully others
ends up having some sort of criminal records by age 24. We can’t afford to
ignore the growing problem of cyber bullying.
Recent data shows
1 in 59 children are diagnosed with Autism. Currently, waiting time is 10-18months to get
allied health professional services in school. We need more resources, funding,
vocational and life skills training to support our students with special needs
to be able to manage activities of daily living independently and with better
training contribute to the society and be employed.
Our community is truly a reflection of great community
with diversity of students, parents, teachers, staff and administrator and need
the same representation at school board trustee level.
I will be deeply honoured to have your support and
opportunity to serve our community as school board trustee for ward 3 (L6W) and
ward 4 (L6Y), Brampton. Elections are on
Oct 22nd 2018.
“Together we can ….. Imagine, Believe and Achieve!”
Facebook @electseemaschoolboardtrustee
Twitter @SeemaSh25576841
