BIOGRAPHY
My name is Lori Di Castri. I am the current English Separate School Board Trustee representing Brockton Ward 31, Huron-Kinloss and Kincardine. I call Point Clark home and have done so since the 80s. I raised my daughter here and she is a proud graduate of Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB) and is now completing her dual degree at the University of Guelph. While both of my parents were educators (my father as a professor and my mother as a K-8 teacher), I work in both healthcare and education equally. I divide my time between my finance role at the Wingham and District Hospital and post-secondary teaching at Conestoga College. The majority of my community involvement is my volunteer work serving as Chair of the BGCDSB.
I am a graduate of McMaster University with my BA in sociology and diploma in business administration. I have further certificates in human rights, critical thinking, leadership and governance, and I am currently engaged in a Masters of Adult Education at St. Francis Xavier University.
I was asked to run for the Trustee position by my parish priest 13 years ago. I had served with him on the Parish Council and St. Anthony school council at the time. Over my years of service as Trustee I became thoroughly educated with regard to the role and responsibilities of Catholic School Trustee in the province of Ontario. It is a position of trust as well as a position governed by the Ministry of Education at Queen’s Park.
IMPORTANT ISSUES
As a trustee my role has been one of commitment to Catholic education and to the students, parents and communities that BGCDSB serves. I have worked diligently over the years to create and maintain excellent relationships with the families I represent and our community stakeholders. What keeps me focussed in the role is respectful, effective, and open supportive relationships where we are all working together for the common goal of student achievement and well-being. I hope to be able to continue the good works we have in progress and see Catholic Education thrive in Bruce and Grey counties.
My main objective in running for English Separate School Board Trustee in the election is to continue to support and promote Catholic education in Ontario. There is a constant pressure for Catholic education to prove its value and place in the Ontario education system. It is something I will continue to fight for as I believe in the benefits of faith based education and, moreover, it provides choice for our families when it comes time for school registration!
I have been proud to support BGCDSB as a community member, a parent volunteer and currently as member of the Board of Trustees for many years. The last few years have been challenging ones for our entire country and indeed the world. We continue to work through this pandemic and provide safe and successful learning spaces for our staff and students.
If I am the successful candidate in the upcoming election I will continue to work with my community and school board to ensure we are providing the highest level of Catholic Education in the best and most fiscally sound way possible. We have always prioritized technology in our learning, and we benefitted greatly at the onset of virtual learning as we had already begun the process of providing devices to our students. Programs such as 1:1 devices and our comprehensive strategic planning keep our students on the cutting edge of education in Ontario. Afterall, this work is all about meeting the Catholic Graduate expectations and preparing our youth for their futures.
Please feel free to email me directly at dicastri@tnt21.com should you have any questions or concerns.
