Chilliwack – Brian VanGarderen’s name is no stranger to the voting public.
In the 2021 School Trustee By-Election, he came in third and well behind the publicized contest between Richard Procee and Dr. Carin Bondar.
In 2022 he almost knocked off Heather Maahs and Richard Procee.
He has posted his name again for the 2026 vote.
VanGarderen’s platform: ‘I have put a lot of thought and discussion with the family and friends and the consensus was “you have a lot of offer, why not try again.”
I am a teacher for the BC public school system. I have been a special education teacher for 10 years and currently working as a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Langley. I live in Greendale with my wife and two daughters who are three and six years old. My older daughter finished kindergarten last year at Greendale elementary school and is now in grade one. My three year old is starting preschool this fall. I am excited to give back to my community but I would not be able to do it without the support from my loving wife Katie.
Why I am running. I am running for school trustee in Chilliwack for a couple of reasons, First I believe in public education. I believe every student has the right to attend a school with proper support, in a safe environment and with opportunities to explore who they are as well as what they want to be. Being a teacher involved in special education for 10 years I have had the privilege to work with an abundance of gifted individuals and help support many students and families help achieve and grow to their fullest potential. Through these experience I have made mistakes but I have always tried to do what I believe to be the best for each student, but I also acknowledge that I cannot do it alone. In education there are many different parties who plan, support and cheer for students, we are a team and we all have a voice and deserve a voice. This directly translates to how I want to be able to serve as a school trustee, when I think about how we can create the best public system for our children it is with all having a voice and doings what is best for all students.
Due to my experiences and road bumps in my career I have gained the skill set to navigate the education system with humility but also with strength and voice for those that need and deserve it. According to studentsuccess.gov.bc.ca 90% – 93% of BC residents complete school but there are two groups that continually need our attention and support, indigenous students and students with diverse abililities. We need to continue to support and fund initiatives that will help support and grow those completion rates in Chiliwack. Working in special education I have seen incredible staff work together to wrap support around many students but they also need the support of the school board and someone who will continually advocate and push for the rights of all students in Chilliwack, I will be that person.
As I look foward to hearing from community members I do not want to forget about how critical it is to acknowledge that I will be campaiging and living on Stó:lō territory surrounded by the Ts’elxweyeqw, Pilalt and Sema:th communities. Without our indigenous partners, stories and teachings our education system is missing a critical voice when learning and working in Chiliwack. I hope to continue to learn and grow as a part of my journey in edcuation and will continue to help support and work towards Truth & Reconciliation and its 94 calls to action.
If you would like to get in contact with my you can email me at brianvfortrustee@gmail.com or you can look for my facebook page at brianfortrustee.
