Although he’s taking a shot at city council, Ben Ordman is doubling his chances at public office by also running for trustee with the Red Deer Public School District.
The 46-year-old construction and restoration supervisor also has experience in education, working as a special education classroom assistant for seven years, in age groups ranging from kindergarten to Grade 12.
He also taught at a college for two years.
“I have work experience that is relevant to the key goals of the public school board,” said Ordman. “Their key priorities are inclusion, literacy and school completion.”
He touted his experience working with people who have learning challenges and how that would give him the tools to hit the ground running were he elected.
“Canada has quite a high rate of functional illiteracy and that presents a challenge for people throughout their lifetime in progressing in job opportunities, participating in the community and achieving their goals,” said Ordman.
Technology also plays a huge role in student’s education, said Ordman, and it has an impact on students more than any other generation socially and psychologically.
“I think the school culture has changed and we’re seeing both the positives and negatives,” said Ordman. “One example of the positives is the access to information and the negatives are cyber-harassment and bullying.”
Although he has no experience as a school board trustee, he has been the president of the neighbourhood watch, served on the taxi committee and served on the Red Deer College alumni association and athletic enhancement board.
He has no children in the public school system but does have a nephew who just started kindergarten.
“I think there are tremendous opportunities now in education because technology allows for the application of new teaching strategies,” said Ordman.
“There are challenges and difficulties, but computers can enhance education. Schools have to incorporate a culture of mutual respect and civility.”
Trustee candidates will be on the Oct. 21 municipal ballot along with city council and mayoral candidates.
Other Red Deer Public School board candidates are Bill Christie, Shari Hanson, Kerri Kenworthy, Lianne Kruger, Dick Lemke, Dianne Macaulay, Bev Manning, Cathy Peacocke, Kurt Spady, Bill Stuebing, Jim Watters, Milt Williams and Raymond Yaworski.
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com