Jo-Ann Davis for TCDSB Ward 4

Jo-Ann Davis for TCDSB Ward 4 Jo-Ann Davis for TCDSB Ward 4 Jo-Ann Davis for TCDSB Ward 4

Jo-Ann Davis for TCDSB Ward 4

Jo-Ann Davis for TCDSB Ward 4 Jo-Ann Davis for TCDSB Ward 4 Jo-Ann Davis for TCDSB Ward 4
  • Home
  • Jo-Ann
    • About Jo-Ann
    • Community Support
    • Why is Jo-Ann running?
    • Jo-Ann's Track Record
  • Volunteer
  • Blog
  • DONATE
  • Ward 4
    • Eligible to Vote?
    • Ward 4 Map
    • Schools
  • Contact
  • FAQs
  • More
    • Home
    • Jo-Ann
      • About Jo-Ann
      • Community Support
      • Why is Jo-Ann running?
      • Jo-Ann's Track Record
    • Volunteer
    • Blog
    • DONATE
    • Ward 4
      • Eligible to Vote?
      • Ward 4 Map
      • Schools
    • Contact
    • FAQs

  • Home
  • Jo-Ann
  • Volunteer
  • Blog
  • DONATE
  • Ward 4
  • Contact
  • FAQs

About Jo-Ann

TCDSB STUDENT & BEYOND

Jo-Ann grew up in Markland Woods in Etobicoke, where she and her family were parishioners at St Clement's parish (led Youth Ministry for several years, including during the 2000 World Youth Day in Toronto). She attended St Vincent de Paul (where her father taught) in Roncesvalles and St Joseph College Schools. 


She holds a BA in Political Science from St Michael's College, UofT, and an MA in Chinese Politics & Law from the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), University of London (UK).


Jo-Ann was TCDSB Trustee for Ward 9 from 2010 - 2018 (including serving as Chair of the Board and Vice Chair of the Board). In 2018, she and her family moved to Roncesvalles where they attend St. Joan of Arc church.. Their son just graduated from St Vincent de Paul school, where Jo-Ann has served as parent council (CSPC) Chair since October, 2018 (to present). 


While parent council Chair at St Vincent de Paul school, Jo-Ann led an initiative in May, 2019, for St Vincent de Paul school students and parents to delegate at a Board of Trustees meeting for desperately needed playground investment in support of student success and well-being. The delegations resulted in the creation of an annual $1.2M Playground Reserve, in June, 2019, for schools across the Board


PROFESSIONAL / VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Professionally, Jo-Ann is a Management Consultant specializing in leading major strategic change initiatives for corporate clients., including merger and acquisition integrations. 


She currently serves on several Boards:

  • Young People's Theatre
  • Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy
  • Space Place (Planetarium) Canada and 
  • Board of Advisors of Catholic Conscience (a non-partisan Catholic civic and political engagement organization. promoting reflection on the Christian duties of love, charity, good stewardship, and the principles of Catholic social justice teaching,)


TCDSB TRUSTEE FOR WARD 9 - 2010 -2018

Jo-Ann served as Trustee for Ward 9 (2010-18) and was elected Chair and Vice Chair of the TCDSB, and Vice Chair of the City of Toronto - School Boards Committee at City Hall. 


SOME MAJOR INITIATIVES AS A TRUSTEE:

As trustee for Ward 9, Jo-Ann answered every call and email from constituents. 


She helped to secure funding for the construction of 2 new schools - St Raymond elementary and St Michael's Choir School -as well as  $2 million in funding to renovate Pope Francis elementary, the development of Bishop Macdonell and $300,000 in City funding for a new park and outdoor green learning space at Monsignor Fraser Alternative in the Annex.


Jo-Ann served as Vice Chair of the City of Toronto-School Board Committee. 


Further, Jo-Ann introduced and championed a wide range of initiatives including:

  • her first motion as a trustee, in 2011, was for the Board to celebrate Pope John Paul II Day in classrooms across the city annually.
  • the creation of the Catholic Social Justice Committee - with staff, parent and community partner representation - providing regular recommendations to the Board on ways to close the learning opportunity gaps for students across our Board, especially for the 1 in 4 students living in poverty (twice as likely to be a racialized student).
  • the creation of the Governance & Policy Committee (to bring transparency and public accountability to policy development), 
  • the creation of an Ombudsman role to investigate complaints brought forward by parents and students and assist with their fair resolution. The Board of Trustees did not pass the motion, but since then, the provincial Ombudsman has been given power to oversee the education sector.
  • the Board's first Community Advisory Committee (Partners in Motion for the Portuguese and Spanish-speaking communities),  It's success enabled the creation of the  9 community advisory committees now in place, including the Ukrainian, 2SLGBTQ+, African Canadian, and Indigenous, increasing the community voice at Board.
  • the goal of making the TCDSB the first Net-Zero Energy school board in the province (for which annual reports are still provided and work is still being done), 
  • finding funds in order to reduce staff-planned cuts to critical Special Education,  literacy programs (Fifth Block) and critical educational support workers (e.g. ECEs, Child & Youth Workers) during annual budget discussions.
  • for staff to develop programming for students across our board  to  study,  and  reflect  on, Pope’s Francis’s critical Laudato Si (Care of our Common Home) Encyclical letter which  focuses  on  our  interconnected relationships with God, each other and our planet. 
  • the right of students to create Gay-Straight Alliances 
  • the expansion of the Safe Schools report give vulnerable students a stronger voice to identify solutions for issues impacting student safety and well being, and
  • reducing the voting age for municipal elections to 16 given the direct impact of the role of trustee on students. (The motion lost on a tie vote of trustees)
  • partnership with Salt & Light Catholic Network for faith-based resources for teachers and students.


FAITH IN ACTION

For Jo-Ann, seeking public office comes from the belief that our Catholic faith demands action. And that public policy and budget decisions should be based on the following principles:

  • advancing the dignity of every person as equally valuable, 
  • solidarity with the most vulnerable in the struggle against injustice, and 
  • putting aside individual interests to support the Common Good. 

what jo-ann brings to the role of trustee

Catholic Social Justice Teachings and Values

CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE PRINCIPLES

CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE PRINCIPLES

CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE PRINCIPLES

As a trustee, Jo-Ann championed such things as the creation of the Catholic Social Justice Committee (working to close learning opportunity gaps for students across the Board), the right of students to create Gay-Straight  Alliances, and the reduction in proposed cuts to Special Education and literacy programs at budget time.

Jo-Ann Davis trustee with TCDSB students

THE PASSION TO WORK HARD

CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE PRINCIPLES

CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE PRINCIPLES

Jo-Ann understands that as trustee, she can't advocate on our behalf until she's taken the time to listen to local parents, educators and students, and understands the barriers hindering the success and spiritual, mental and physical well being of our students.

Jo-Ann Davis as TCDSB Chair

CRITICALLY-NEEDED EXPERIENCE

CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE PRINCIPLES

CRITICALLY-NEEDED EXPERIENCE

Jo-Ann served as Trustee for Ward 9 from 2010 - 2018 before moving to Ward 4. She was elected both Chair and Vice Chair. 


Since 2018, Jo-Ann has been parent council Chair at St Vincent de Paul school in Roncesvalles. 


Professionally, Jo-Ann is a Management Consultant specializing in strategic change initiatives for corporate clients.

the work of your trustee

Advocate

Facilitate

Facilitate

Community, Parents and Students

 Advocating for students, parents, and school communities. Advocating for Catholic education – its promotion and protection – with our partners and the community at large. How? Meeting with parents and students, and our education partners, including local Councillors, MPPs and MPs. 

Facilitate

Facilitate

Facilitate

Consultation and Collaboration

  Ensuring fair processes in resolving student, parent and school issues. How? Working with senior staff and local education partners to bring together those needed to resolve an issue. Ongoing policy change through board motions where a gap or barrier to student achievement and well being has been shown to exist.

Governance

Facilitate

Governance

TCDSB Board Governance and Accountability

Continuing to strengthen the framework used for effective and transparent decision-making. How? Working with trustee colleagues and our Director, seeking best practices from other jurisdictions and through membership on the Governance & Policy committee.

Lobbyist

Strategic Planner

Governance

Parent and Student Consultation

Meeting with all levels of government, local agencies and community partners to ensure those who influence or control resources for our students and families - they need to hear the voice of our communities and understand the needs of our students.

Strategic Planner

Strategic Planner

Strategic Planner

TCDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan

 The board of trustees has responsibility for developing the TCDSB’s strategic multi-year plan, and approving our annual budget, in support of our board’s mission and vision as an innovative Catholic education system which acts compassionately as a witness to our faith.

Policy Maker

Strategic Planner

Strategic Planner

Role of Trustee

 Creating policies which help to create a level playing field of learning and developmental opportunities (spiritual, mental and physical) for each student. Then monitoring and evaluating the impact of these policies and making changes, where necessary.

Copyright © 2022 Jo-Ann Davis for Ward 4, TCDSB - All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • About Jo-Ann
  • Volunteer
  • DONATE
  • Schools
  • Contact
  • FAQs

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept