The Kootenay Lake School District trustee for Slocan Valley is stepping down from her position.
Two-term trustee Barbara Lindsay is pursuing an opportunity to volunteer at public schools in Zanzibar in September. Though she’s only nine months into the three year elected position she received by acclamation, Lindsay said her skills will be put to better use overseas.
“There’s a skill set I have and I’m passionate about and I can use in a way that’s probably better for me and better for people,” she said.
Lindsay spent six years travelling the world as a teacher and adviser after she retired in 2002. Her work took her to Kuwait, Mexico, Egypt, Korea and Quatar.
When the opportunity to work in Zanzibar came through her email inbox, she couldn’t help but respond.
“I just hit send, and then they called me and now I’m off on a direction that I have no idea how it will unfold,” she said.
She has a one year contract to work with the heads of five primary schools and five secondary schools on Pemba Island, helping them develop curriculum and sharing best practices from the BC education system.
“I’m hoping to do some work around gender equality and create some strength for young women and girls,” she said. “There’s a lot about the job I won’t find out until I get there.”
The school board will receive Lindsay’s official resignation at its August 28 regular meeting. Superintendent Jeff Jones said the board will have to make a plan to fill the position.
“We’re discussing with the province our options for how to do that,” Jones said.
Lindsay said she’s been talking with several people in Slocan who might be interested in taking her place.
“It would good to have a real election, with multiple candidates, to really get people interested in discussions around education,” she said.