After years of working in small towns doing administration work, a local resident is hoping to find out what it’s like to be an elected official.
Jo Ann Lambert, Village of Beiseker administrator, will be resigning her position and running in Ward 1 of Rocky View School’s election.
“After 22 years of doing administration, I think I am worn out,” said Lambert, who has lived in both Irricana and Beiseker. “But I still want to give back to my community.”
Lambert, who has lived in Beiseker for eight years, said she has considered running for school trustee in the past, but didn’t have the time to do it properly. Now that she is retiring, she will have enough time to tackle the job. Lambert said she is very passionate about education, so much so that at 32, she went back to university and earned a bachelor’s degree in administration.
“I don’t believe that everyone has to go to university,” said Lambert. “But I really think that at the elementary, junior and high school levels, the kids really need a good education. School is the basis for the rest of their lives.”
If elected, Lambert will be representing the communities of Beiseker, Kathryn, Crossfield and Irricana.
Although she is not campaigning on a single issue, Lambert says she will be a good addition to the Rocky View School’s team. “I can’t honestly say that I can come in and try to change the world,” said Lambert. “I am just going to try to come in and offer my experience in administration.”
Lambert says her skills in planning and budgeting, as well as her knowledge of policies and procedures, gives her an advantage.
“I can dedicate myself to learning what I need to learn about how the education system runs, rather than having to worry about how to read an agenda or financial statement,” she said.
Lambert says she knows the job won’t be easy, but is up for the challenge.
“The Province of Alberta sets down the rules and regulations and you have to work within that,” said Lambert.
“I can see there are going to be frustrations, due to the lack of educational funding.”
In addition to her administration skills, she will rely on her practical nature.
“I just think I am a common sense, down-to-earth person,” said Lambert. “I think part of making good choices and decisions is using your common sense.”
