Good evening, everyone.
I want to start this conversation this evening with a question that I asked myself when I decided to run for School Trustee in SD43:
When students look back on their school years, what do we hope they remember?
I hope they remember being inspired to learn, encouraged to try, and supported when things were difficult, so they can learn to do hard things. I hope they felt seen, safe, and surrounded by adults who believed in them.
That is the kind of school district I want to support, and why I’m running for school trustee.
My name is Tracy Green. I’ve called the Tri-Cities home for more than 23 years and lived in Port Moody since 2016. Both my children recently graduated from SD43 and I have been alongside them throughout their school journey. My nonprofit work has included United Way, the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils where I helped organize parent input into the new curriculum, and my current position with the BC Parks Foundation. For two decades, I’ve also volunteered at my children’s schools, served on the board of SHARE Community Services for several years, and worked with Mossom Creek Hatchery since 2008.
When our Heritage Woods and Anmore communities needed a middle school in our area, I ran for Anmore Council, was elected, and worked with the community to help make Eagle Mountain Middle School—and 63 childcare spaces—a reality.
These experiences all taught me that progress takes persistence, listening, and collaboration. When something matters to kids and our community, I don’t believe in waiting for someone else to fix it.
One priority close to home is student mental health, safety, and well-being.
This summer, I spoke at length with youth workers and our Port Moody Police Liaison Officer about the challenges young people face, they all highlighted mental health and the impacts of social media and technology. I want SD43 to increase access to counsellors and youth workers, increase timely supports and training that helps staff recognize distress and connect students with help.
I’ve also heard from students who are afraid to use school bathrooms for fear of being recorded or who skip school because online bullying follows them from school to home. Well-being is not separate from learning; it is one of its foundations.
We must also give students more pathways to discover their strengths and prepare for life after graduation. Families value programs such as French Immersion, Montessori, gifted education, and outdoor learning. We should protect valued programs and explore new options that help students discover applied skills, trades, and different career pathways.
The moderator asked us to speak to the issue of childcare SD43 schools. I support expanding childcare options through our public schools. Families need reliable care beyond the final bell and throughout school breaks, including summer. With the recent changes to the School Act to allow for extended care, SD43 should explore year-round options where demand, staffing, space, and affordability make them viable.
Another area important to me is technology use in schools. We don’t need more technology in classrooms simply for technology’s sake. We need more critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and hands-on learning.
This summer, I met with B.C.’s Minister of State for AI and New Technologies, Rick Glumac, to discuss how quickly AI is advancing. Schools need clear guidance and practical teacher training around appropriate use, privacy, and academic integrity. Our district needs to accelerate the implementation of policies to govern AI in our schools. What Students need is more time to think, question, build, experiment, and work through problems themselves. Technology has to serve learning, not displace it.
Ultimately, our role is to ensure every student receives a quality public education and can enter adulthood with bright futures as active, engaged community members.
If elected, I will show up prepared, listen carefully, work collaboratively, and keep students at the centre of decisions.
On October 17, I would be honoured to earn your vote for Port Moody school trustee.
Thank you.