09/02/2026
I almost threw up today..
Today I signed up to run in the upcoming Maple Ridge election for school trustee. ..and I am pretty nervous..
Yes...I wear many hats in this community.....outside of the flower farm I work in education as an education assistant in one school district, a school trustee in another and also with young children as an early childhood educator.....kids, animals and flowers...👶🐰🌸
I am an incumbent ..meaning I am an elected trustee now..and will be running for re- election. There is something you did not know about me. 🌱
So how is this flower or farm related you ask..🌼
Well...there is the llama...Phill...my daughter's 11th birthday gift...from a number of years back. I think I might make him campaign manager..the price is certainly right 🦙. It seemed fitting to have him with me in the photo....because ...that is me.
And...well...I think it is important for you to meet the real candidates that are running in the upcoming election ...not just the formal and sometimes a bit stuffy head shots...but the real person. So..this is me.
Our local Maple Ridge election is coming up on October 17th and before you say you are not going to vote..let me give you something to think about.
Over the next 9 days, many people will be putting their names forward for mayor, councillor and school trustee. People run for a variety of reasons, some not so good but some because they really and truly believe they can make a difference. ( I fall into the second category)
People who are opening themselves up to criticism and bashing on social media. People who will be tagged in posts and demands made of them to defend their stance and or to respond or reply to every single kind of complaint you can imagine.
All because they think they can make a difference.
If you follow our farm then you know a little bit about me and how passionate I am about flowers, farming and animals. But guess what....this space was created as a place to relax and unwind my mind and body after a day in public education. A space to breath and think and plan how I can make a diffence, how to make it a better place for all of the students I work with, the families I get to know and the staff who choose to work in a profession that has such a huge impact on our children.
I felt sick to my stomach and had to tell the staff that I may have to run out at any time. Luckily... I made it.
I have changed so much in my time as a trustee. ( Check out my past two photos in comments) More gray hairs, many extra pounds but not enough change has taken place in public education. I want to continue to be part of the change.
💐So..if you need flower we have them
🌱if you were not planning to
vote...please reconsider as I could
really use your vote
☑️ And if you are going to vote, please vote for me, Pascale Shaw..for School Trustee.
Now back to the flowers 🌻
Are you going to vote?
