Mina Angotti

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Thank you Edmonton!

Congratulations to all Edmonton Catholic School Trustees that were elected last night. A sincere congratulations to my opponent Sandra Palazzo for her win. Even though we were on different platforms, it was a privilege to share forums together. Dan and Rudy, it was great to meet you. We are so lucky in this province to have the freedom of choice. 

To every voter who voted for me, a heartfelt thank you for giving me your trust in Catholic Education. There is nothing more important than bridging the gap between church, home and school. For the incredible team of supporters that helped me, you are the most authentic, beautiful people that are a part of my life. I thank God for each and every one of you.  

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Election Day in Edmonton 2017.

On my last day of having the opportunity to speak to voters, I met so many kind and thoughtful people. It was a gorgeous day in Edmonton to go door to door. 

Here is the link to the voting stations in WARD 72.

https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/documents/elections/ECSD_Individual_Ward_Maps_Ward_72.pdf

I am so glad that even Ringo is voting for me. So adorable. LOL

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Unity between the Archdiocese and Edmonton Catholic.

As a graduate student working towards my masters degree in theological studies, I understand the integral relationship that exists between Edmonton Catholic and the Archdiocese. It is the unity of truth and a harmony between faith and reason. Factors that cannot be duplicated in a non-Catholic school. We must endeavour to teach ethics. values and morals through Christ-centered learning. We have the freedom to address spiritual, moral and ethical lives of students. Our faith enables us to have the freedom to live and fulfill our potential as human beings through Christ in a transformative way. Each and every stakeholder is responsible for the common good, not only of our schools but of our society. Our spiritual leaders, through the Archbishop, bishops, and clergy ensure that the education and formation in the Archdiocese are based on principles of Catholic doctrine. It is essential that our faith permeates all aspects of our lives, and the Church is instrumental in providing spiritual leadership that enables faith seeking understanding. Firmly rooted and grounded in the knowledge of who we are in Christ Jesus. We are called to be leaders of hope and mercy. We achieve this through the authentic collaboration between Edmonton Catholic and the Archdiocese.

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Happy Thanksgiving

From my family to yours,

A thanksgiving prayer.

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Mina Angotti wants to bridge home, parish, and school in Edmonton Catholic Ward 72

“For me, to run for Catholic school trustee is not just about effective governance. It is about our faith and how our faith permeates every aspect of our lives,” said Mina Angotti, a candidate for Edmonton Catholic Schools trustee in Ward 72.

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National Teachers’ Day

Today, October 05, 2017 is National Teachers’ Day. I would like to extend a sincere thanks to all the teachers in our district and nationwide for all they do for our students. Teachers are at the front line of our  schools, and they are instrumental in ensuring that students achieve their dreams and goals.

In the last 17 years, I have had the privilege to witness inspirational teachers, support staff who keep the detail of a school running smoothly (making it look easy when it is not), and sanitation and maintenance staff who know the meaning of cleanliness is Godliness so that our students minimize trips to the doctors for infections and injuries.  I was also present when competent, accountable teachers who strive to give students their very best, while still managing their own lives and families, felt that their effort was not good enough. Your best effort is always good enough.

May God continue guiding and protecting them in their vital role as educators. 

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Family Unity

At Edmonton Catholic, the parents are the primary educators of their children.  Whether you are a parent or not, the majority of parents want what is best for their children. 

We need to continue to educate our parents with evidence-based research that helps in order for our students to be the best they can be. Students need to feel heard and most importantly, they need to be loved.

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At Edmonton Catholic, we are Rooted in Jesus……

More often than not, the way we think is the direction of our lives. St. Paul declared that one of the first signs of a true apostle is patience. There is nothing to fear if you trust God’s love. However, faith, like the roots of a tree, takes time to grow strong. When we are firmly rooted and grounded in the knowledge of who we are in Christ Jesus, that is the time when we begin to deepen our faith.

This is the work of one of my favourite artists, Greg Olsen.

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Why a public Catholic Education?

To have the CHOICE of a public Catholic Education is not only a gift but essential. Edmontonians have had the freedom, regardless of one’s background and culture, to choose. As a result, over the last ten years, our effective Public School System has grown about 20% and our strong Catholic School System has grown about 27%. There is incredible value in having choice in our society. Alberta provides leadership to Canada on so many levels and at Edmonton Catholic we consistently exceed the already high provincial standards. Academic excellence, through the strength of physical, moral and intellectual talents is paramount. Students need to feel heard and need to feel loved. At Edmonton Catholic our encounter with students in front of us is more important than books because that is what Christ expects of us.  My mission is to promote unity, and foster the growth of a new generation of critical thinkers.

In the City of Edmonton, both a Public and a Roman Catholic Separate School District exist. A property owner, at any time, can file a new School Support Notice. For more information, please go to the City of Edmonton website and search Education Property Tax.

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When and where will the public forums for the trustees be held please?

https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/municipal_elections/candidate-forums.aspx

There are various forums being held for both the Catholic and Public School Trustees. To view the forum dates, click the link above. Please keep in mind that not all wards will be hosting forums. Thank you!

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BE Attitudes

One of the quickest ways to understand the foundation of our Catholic faith is to remind ourselves of the Ten Commandments (Old Testament) and the Beatitudes (New Testament).

Here are BE-Attitudes for our students.

BE humble enough to realize you still have a lot to learn

BE ambitious enough to know you can be anything you want to be

BE easy enough on yourself to enjoy, to laugh and to have fun

BE mature enough to take responsibility for what you do

BE confident enough to see that who you are inside is more important than how you look outside

BE proud enough to take care of your body, your mind, and your spirit

BE wise enough to choose your friends carefully

BE absolutely sure that wherever you go, whatever you do

YOU ARE LOVED

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The critical early years.

Like the foundation of a structure in design, the Early Years initiative is a foundation of life-long learning for a child. Edmonton Catholic is a strong, proactive leader in Early Education. An outstanding example is the very successful 100 Voices program. It enables educators to assess the learning strengths and challenges of a child at an early age. As a mom, I believe it is instrumental for our students so that they have the best possible chance of effective outcomes. The authentic collaboration of parents and educators is key to ensuring our students become the best they can be.

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My Mission

Our faith enables the freedom to live and fulfill our potential as human beings through Christ in a transformative way. Each and every child at Edmonton Catholic is unique, distinctive, and a gift regardless of their strengths and challenges. My mission is to promote unity, support academic excellence, and foster the growth of a new generation of critical thinkers.

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Catholic School Trustee Ward 72 - Why?

I am running for Catholic School Trustee, WARD 72. What compelled me to run is the desire to help contribute to Catholic Education responsibly. Families in Alberta work very hard for all they have. We are very blessed as Albertans, not only to have a strong Catholic School System but also to have an effective Public School System. Both systems are essential to the long term viability of Alberta. It is all about choice. Every parent in Edmonton has the freedom to choose where they want their children to be educated. If spirituality is an integral part of life, then Catholic education and learning in a Christ-centered environment is key.

Catholic education has been instrumental in preparing my daughters to be the best they can be with their God-given talents. It has enabled my daughters to feel safe, valued and cared about.  If given the privilege to become a Catholic School Trustee, I understand my role is to be one of seven voices united in the governance of Catholic education. It is a role of public trust and great responsibility. I stand confident as a practicing Catholic to help navigate collaboratively.

At Edmonton Catholic, the parents are the primary educators of their children. Yet with the demands of work and life, parents seek help in navigating this journey. In today’s world, expectations are high. It was a privilege to be actively involved in the schools as I was present in the detail of not only beautiful celebrations and watching students succeed but also of the challenges that students, teachers and administrators faced in the day to day challenges. I stayed connected in the following way.

Parent-volunteer during field trips and Hot Lunch at Bishop Greschuk.

Member of Parent Advisory Committee at Bishop Greschuk for ten years.

Parent Advisory on the Executive Committee for six years, three years as Chair at Ecole St. Cecilia.

Parent Advisory Committee member for six years,  four years on the Executive Committee with two years as Chair at Archbishop MacDonald High School.

In 2017, there was an idea put forward to integrate Edmonton Catholic and Edmonton Public together. Initially, I was surprised by the request, knowing that Public Schools do not promote spirituality in their environment. And even though Edmonton Public entertained the idea of implementing religion classes, at Edmonton Catholic our faith is more than just a subject. As a very confident Catholic mom, I want to help facilitate the choice that every parent of five years old children have when deciding their future in education. I live our faith, through the joys and challenges of life, and I am a very strong witness to the importance of it.  Catholic School Trusteeship is more than just effective governance. It’s about our faith and how our faith permeates every aspect of our lives.

If elected as an Edmonton Catholic School Trustee, I will focus on:

Promoting unity in Christ-centered learning.

Supporting the academic excellence that has been consistent and prevalent in our schools so that students develop to be their very best, unique selves.

Providing resources responsibly in spirituality, technology, and community building so that students are competent, critical thinkers in all aspects of their lives.

Catholic Education is a profound gift to be shared. Most importantly, it embodies Love God and neighbour, our Greatest Commandment.

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What really matters

Time and again, we realize the importance of action, yet in the reality of trying to achieve work-life balance, we see how challenging it is to set our priorities in a God-centered way. Our society supports the notion that we do not need God in our lives. That we could take care of life all by  ourselves. As a graduate student of theology who craves more profound understanding in our faith, I believe that knowing God makes the difference.

One of the most difficult lessons in my life was to figure out why God gave me two ears and one mouth. Epictetus, a Greek Sage and Stoic philosopher, around 55 AD, stated that “We were born with two ears and one mouth for a reason, so that we can listen twice as much as we speak”. I have found that when I speak less and listen more, I learn more, a lot more.  I believe that if a board authentically collaborates, misunderstandings become minimized.

St. Teresa of Calcutta embodied the most profound love that there is. It did not matter to her who stood in front of her, she just showed God’s love in tangible ways. What is important is to love and to be loved. For me, one of her most resonating messages was “Prayer in action is love and love in action is service”. It is a connection from one human being to another. A relationship that fosters unity. God’s love is a gift. A gift that promises unconditional love even when a mom or dad, family or friend do not show love in a way that resonates within us.

Each and every child at Edmonton Catholic IS unique, distinctive, and a gift regardless of their strengths and challenges. As authentically collaborative parents and educators, we must endeavour to teach ethics, values and morals through Christ-centered learning.  Our faith does not impose God on anyone. What our faith enables is the freedom to live and fulfill our potential as human beings through Christ in a transformative way.

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Welcome to my blog!

I am running for Edmonton Catholic School Trustee Ward 72. For updates in my campaign, check this blog regularly. Thank you!