ABOUT KEN
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I am a former Edmonton Public School elementary teacher
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I was elected as a TDSB School Trustee
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I was born and raised in Ward F
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My kids are both EPSB students
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I am an active community leader
I grew up in this ward and graduated from Westbrook, then Grandview Junior High, and finally Scona High School. I then completed my Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Alberta. While completing my degree, I worked at the Green Shack program in Lendrum, volunteered at McKernan, and did teaching practicums at Malmo and Sweet Grass. I was soon hired by the Edmonton Public School Board as a Substitute Teacher (Supply Teacher). I find it remarkable and satisfying to know that many of my former students have gone on to a variety of successful careers as a nurse, accountant, and journalist to name a few. I left teaching and Edmonton to begin working in government to improve the lives of students.
I moved to Toronto, and in 2014 I was elected as a School Trustee for the Toronto District School Board. At the TDSB, I was elected Chair of the Budget Committee with a $3.1 Billion Operating Budget. As the Chair of the Budget Committee, I successfully eliminated the structural deficit without impacting classrooms by cutting central discretionary budgets for Superintendents and cutting School Trustee budgets by more than 50%.
I added a total of 134 childcare spaces in my community for infants, toddlers, kindergarten and school aged. I also added special education program offerings in my community for students with Autism and made a motion to raise a flag for Autism Awareness Day. I worked hard to expand access to specialty programs and added French Immersion to four more schools in my community, a new gifted program and a new STEM specialty program at a high school. I led the fight to fix our schools and ensured repairs were completed. I stood up to fight against hatred and bullying and to keep Marijuana stores away from elementary schools.
As a School Trustee, I had a 97% attendance record at board meetings and was constantly holding Ward Forums to make myself accessible to constituents and answer their questions. In fact, I held 32 ward forums in four years - more than any other School Trustee. I also worked hard to attend graduations and attended 120 graduations over four years!
I remain active in my community and I am currently on the parent council at my children's school and a volunteer with the Friends of Terwillegar Park Society. In my recent role as the Program Director for Brookview Community League, I organized a community fitness event and started up a community garden. I was previously the Vice President of Garneau Community League. I have also coached boys and girls soccer teams in Aspen Gardens and Grandview.
I believe Experience Matters when choosing the best candidate for EPSB School Trustee.
On Monday October 18, Vote KEN LISTER.
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![Curriculum lawn sign Apr 17 2021.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2a336b_12c23da6e15249c890a9b8db0629f6af~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_94,y_0,w_1892,h_1560/fill/w_376,h_310,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Curriculum%20lawn%20sign%20Apr%2017%202021.jpg)
![ward forum feb 2017.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2a336b_ca45fd2abff6445fa26beb8ca0bb5652~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_53,w_1024,h_844/fill/w_376,h_310,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/ward%20forum%20feb%202017.jpg)