Anik Siatan
Anik Siatan is running for School Board Trustee for the Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est in West Nipissing.
Anik Siatan is an Ontario Certified Teacher with more than 20 years of teaching experience and a Principal's Qualification. She has also worked as a process engineer on large manufacturing projects and regularly volunteers at the West Nipissing Food Bank. Anik operates Oxford Learning Sudbury, which offers individualized tutoring programs to families in public schools.
Why are you running for this position?
The past 2 candidates have been sworn-in without a vote for over 20 years. As a parent of children enrolled in this schoolboard, I didn't really know who they were or how to approach them. They approached me. This is my first time in politics, and I was asked early in the game to step down - so I went home and made my first video!
I am running as School Board Trustee for the Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est (CSPNE) because I am "just like our school community". I am Franco-Ontarienne, I have invested interest through my children and I am socio-economically middle class - no above any one else!
I will be the voice of parents in decision making, I will be approachable and present. I will make the best decisions I can for the future of the children in West Nipissing, notably those enrolled with the CSPNE.
What do you love most about your community?
The most interesting part of West Nipissing is how there are distinct mini-communities that each have their own flavour and flare (Field, Ver,er, Garden Village, etc.). I love how there is a real small town feel in Sturgeon Falls, where we can get our mail, Government Services and mostly local food (Don's Butcher Shop, poutine, Chez Jean-Marc Bakery). And to top it off, people are so friendly, whether it's the cashier at Giant Tiger or the lady recovering from surgery at the Food Bank!
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing public education in your community right now?
The French and English public board share a high school building, and they are planning to separate them. Parents are worried that the "new" high school will not be built with the amenities of the current one (shop, labs, etc.). Parents have also voiced concern over where the students will go while they are not in the current building AND the "new" school is not yet built. They feel like they weren't involved in the decision to remove the French students from the English high school building after over 20 years.
If elected, what is one thing you would like to accomplish during your term?
I want to get parents more involved. I want them to be heard and to know more about what's going on with their kids. I got to attend a lot of behind-the-scenes meetings as a vice-principal for the CSPNE about things required more public input.
What is one thing you would like to see your school board do differently?
I'm not here to make changes. I am running so that the outgoing candidates have a highly qualified person to which they can pass the flame. I think they have a done a great job so far, and I want the CSPNE to continue to grow!
What does good school board governance look like to you?
Highly qualified group of teachers.
If you received a $1 million grant to invest in your local schools any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
Busses! I would spend the money on having a student assembly for the many schools across the CSPNE's large region. Make them proud to be part of something so big. Something they could not otherwise see isolated in their own community.
How do you approach working with people who disagree with you?
I try to understand their perspective. Their convictions are rooted in something. We may discover that we have things in common, or alternatively discover that there is no changing the other's position.
What does having more women in local leadership change?
With their empathy, women bring better engagement and help build a consensus for the direction of growth. Women have stronger long-term performance because they explore more sustainable strategies rather than make impulsive decisions.
What do you think students need most from their school board right now?
Teachers need standardized lessons organized by the school board. With most of the content planning done, teachers will have more time for differentiated and 1:1 instruction.
What is something about you that you would like voters to know that they might not learn from your campaign platform?
I am dependable.
Where can people find you?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592452768827
