Yee is passionate about education and has worked with students in the public and private sectors for over 20 years.

“I believe it’s advantageous to have someone in the trustee seat who can look at how the system works from all sides and strive to make improvements,” she said.

She is a proud Simon Fraser University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in French, and she also earned a Bachelor of Education, minoring in Curriculum and Instruction, after completing SFU’s Professional Development Program (PDP).

Following graduation, Yee taught in China for three years at a B.C.-accredited school, where she used the B.C. curriculum to teach foreign national students at the elementary school level. She returned to Canada in 2010 and taught at the elementary and middle school levels in the Coquitlam School District (No. 43) until early 2017.

“My experiences give me a unique insight into what works and what doesn’t inside a local school district,” she said. “And I’ve also earned excellent listening skills. My ability to problem-solve, be detail oriented and deliver a clear message will serve me well in the trustee role.”

Yee currently serves as a Chief instructor and Manager at a Kumon Math and Reading Learning Centre in Coquitlam. Since 2001, she has supported numerous families and taught over 2,000 students using the Kumon curriculum. In 2014, Pamela undertook a managerial role, where she continues to work directly with students while also handling administrative duties.

Yee said that her experience gives her the knowledge and expertise to understand and work with teachers, students and parents. She is also a new mother, with a daughter set to join the Abbotsford School District in 2027-28.

Yee has been an Abbotsford resident since 2015 and has lived in the Lower Mainland since 1987 when her family immigrated from Brunei. Having been raised in a conservative, close-knit family, she believes that strong family units and strong school communities are interrelated. Parents’ concerns are important to her and – whether they be to do with bullying, in-class instruction or learning challenges – they should be voiced and heard.

Her platform consists of:

• Safe Schools – ensuring all students feel safe, welcome and respected to foster better learning
• Strong learning – establishing clear benchmark goals in reading, writing and arithmetic and working to achieve them
• Supported educators – encourage ongoing recruitment of TTOCs and support staff, aim to retain teachers by making Abbotsford more desirable to work
• Responsible leadership – allocate additional funds for meal programs and busing service so that all students have a way to school, pledge to vote against any salary increase
• Planning for the future – upgrading playgrounds and facilities, vote to fund STEM programs and career counselling

“Abbotsford has tremendous potential but we need to work on realizing that together, and it starts with our youngest,” Yee said. “My commitment to the Abbotsford School District is reinforced by my extensive experience in the education field. Make sure to vote on Oct. 17 and trust Yee for trustee.”

For more on Yee, visit her at YeeforTrustee.ca and social media – @YeeforTrustee