AJ Batalden is Seeking Nomination with COPE.
✓ Increased budgeting transparency for our education system
✓ Maintain Supports for Children with Diverse Needs
✓ Responsive public education that addresses challenges to democracy
✓ Programs to support teachers including in school childcare
AJ’s Statement
I want to actually deliver on the promise of the BC Schools Act.
Students should leave our schools capable of learning to the best of their ability. Students should be fulfilled through their development, and ready to participate in, and maintain our pluralistic democracy.
With the amount of different media platforms, online communities, AI content generators etc; there are a lot of unregulated spaces that kids aren’t getting the tools to deal with. Instead of austerity measures, now is the time to be investing in our schools to protect children, and teach them how to protect themselves, from malicious actors and grifters. These problems will persist as long as we let them.
Ensuring our schools provide students with understanding and contextualize their constantly changing relationship with the world. This is essential for the long-term health of our society.
I am a student, educator, union member and community organizer based in East Vancouver for the last 16 years.
I have been actively involved in BC schools from elementary school to my masters in education. Along the way I have also participated in a number of community groups around Vancouver. I have served as a member of the steering committee for the Vancouver Tenant’s Union and volunteered on the board of the Peretz Centre.
As an education assistant I really began to see the larger issues facing our education system. Over a short time I helped multiple members of the teaching staff, as well as student families, navigate evictions and housing threats. This work was instrumental in exposing the direct impacts of wealth inequality on student achievement. I have since dedicated myself to working toward a more equitable and supportive school system.