by Angela Sanford
Early in my teaching career, when I was in search of a permanent contract and none were in sight, my administrator came to me and advised me to apply for a French Extended Core position at Windsor Regional. So much of that message was completely intimidating – me, teach alter immersion? Teach middle school? YIKES! I politely, said I’d consider it, though I was already convinced I would not be when he further added to the intimidation by saying That I really should apply since I had an interview that Friday morning for the position – my how times have changed! So I did and I was flabbergasted when I won the competition and was offered the position. Those years are some of the fondest from my career and, to think, I would never have applied without being prodded by my principal.
Fast forward twenty some years and my lead supervisor at NSEECD suggested I apply for an internal position in management, another position I had not considered previously. I sat with her as she explained the position and why she felt I should apply, with the closing looming just hours away. Upon her closing argument, I said, “sure – let’s go for it.” She was taken aback and wondered if I planned to check in with my partner, or to discuss this potential change with family; was impressed that I could decide so organically. While it may have looked to her as organic, she had presented an argument that I would have been hard pressed to not accept especially for the trial period that she had also offered. So I applied and accepted the position when it was awarded to me. It was a position that again I have very fond memories of and lead me to thinking carefully about her choice of phrasing – do I make decisions organically? Believe it or not I follow my gut carefully, but I am also analytical in my decision making, which lead to a recent decision regarding my future.
In 2020, I ran for Municipal Council and though I lost, it was a tight race, as a matter of fact if I recall correctly the tightest race of the elections in NS that year. Upon my loss, I was positive I’d give it another attempt. Then life happened: districts changed, I took ownership of the bulletin, I was completing my second Masters degree, and I became a grandmother, so I thoughtfully and respectfully declined the consideration of running again.
But, apparently that didn’t sit as well in my gut as I thought it was, as when I was presented with an argument for why I should run, by a community member I had only met earlier this spring, thoughts began to conjure in my head.
I am very passionate about community, especially the Hants North region of East Hants which has provided me with so much in so many ways. The more I reflected on what I have gained from living here the more I realized I want to give back on a larger scale than in my volunteering or through the bulletin. Upon discussing it with family, I realized that win or lose, I’m ready to harness my skill set and use it for the benefit of everyone, including council, and I have made the not so organic, but thrilled, decision to enter again into the race to seek a seat as Councillor.
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