Candidate for Waterloo Region District School Board Trustee – Kitchener
My connection to public education in Waterloo Region is deeply personal. My journey in this community began when I came to Kitchener as a teenager and attended Kitchener Collegiate Institute (KCI), part of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB). As a young person establishing myself in Canada, I experienced firsthand how education, supportive teachers, opportunities, and a welcoming school community can influence the direction of a student’s life. I graduated here in Kitchener, and those formative years helped lay the foundation for the life of education, service, advocacy, and community involvement that I have built.
Education Has Been a Lifelong Journey
My education did not end when I graduated from high school. I developed a passion for lifelong learning and continued my studies at several post-secondary and postgraduate institutions. Over the years, I have earned academic degrees, diplomas, certificates, and professional qualifications that have strengthened my knowledge in social work, education, human services, career development, counselling, leadership, and community practice.
My academic credentials include:
- Doctor of Social Work (DSW), 2024 — Capella University, Minnesota, USA
- Master of Social Work (MSW), 2022 — Brescia University, Kentucky, USA
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), 2021 — University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Bachelor of Education in Adult Education, 2021 — Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario
- Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services, 2018 — Athabasca University, Athabasca, Alberta
- Job Development Professional Certificate Program, 2016 — Conestoga College, Kitchener, Ontario
- Career Development Practitioner Post-Graduate Program, 2015 — Conestoga College, Kitchener, Ontario
- Adult Education Certification, 2014 — Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario
- Social Service Worker Diploma, 2013 — Mohawk College, Brantford, Ontario
My academic journey has exposed me to different perspectives in education, social work, counselling, mental health, leadership, human development, employment, research, and community service. More importantly, education taught me that knowledge carries a responsibility: what we learn should ultimately be used to improve the lives of others.
Helping Young People Build Their Futures
Throughout my professional career, children, youth, individuals, and families have remained at the centre of much of my work.
My experience working within Employment Ontario programs allowed me to assist people, including young people and their families, as they navigated education, employment, training, and career pathways. I saw firsthand that preparing young people for their futures requires more than helping them achieve good grades. Students also need confidence, mentorship, practical skills, career exploration, opportunities, and adults who believe in their potential.
This experience strengthened my belief that our education system must prepare students not only to graduate, but also to successfully navigate post-secondary education, skilled trades, employment, entrepreneurship, and life beyond the classroom.
Understanding Mental Health and Addiction
I later served as a supervisor within the House of Friendship men’s residential addiction treatment program. Working with individuals affected by addiction gave me a deeper understanding of the complex relationships among mental health, substance use, trauma, family circumstances, poverty, social supports, and overall well-being.
It also reinforced my belief in prevention and early intervention. When children and young people have timely access to mental health supports, caring adults, safe environments, and appropriate community resources, we have a greater opportunity to address difficulties before they develop into more serious challenges.
Supporting Youth Experiencing Housing Instability
My journey also brought me to Argus Residence for Young People, where I served as a manager supporting vulnerable young people, including those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
That work taught me lessons I will never forget. It is difficult for a young person to concentrate on school when they do not know where they will sleep, whether they will have enough food, or whether their family will have a stable place to live.
Supporting young people and families facing housing instability strengthened my understanding that education cannot operate in isolation. Student achievement is closely connected to housing, food security, mental health, family stability, safety, belonging, and access to community resources.
Supporting Children and Families Today
Today, as a Clinical Manager with Yorktown Family Services, I oversee programs supporting children, parents, and families, including Growing with Grief and our Early Years programs. These include Baby Love, Parenting in the Early Years, Supporting Young Families, and Parenting Wisely.
This work allows me to see the importance of supporting children from the earliest stages of development while also giving parents and caregivers the knowledge and resources they need.
Strong families contribute to stronger students, stronger schools, and ultimately stronger communities.
I also operate my own private counselling practice, where I work with children, youth, adults, and families to address mental health and other life challenges. Through my clinical work, I see the pressures facing today’s young people. Anxiety, grief, emotional distress, family challenges, social pressures, identity, belonging, and uncertainty about the future can all affect a student’s ability to learn and thrive.
These experiences have strengthened my commitment to ensuring that student mental health remains an important part of the conversation about educational success.
My Research and Commitment to Inclusion
My commitment to equity and inclusion is also reflected in my doctoral research. My doctoral capstone, “Best Practices for Inclusive Hiring,” examined ways of creating more inclusive and equitable employment opportunities, particularly for people and communities that have historically experienced barriers.
I believe these principles apply equally to public education.
Every child deserves an opportunity to succeed regardless of ability, socioeconomic circumstances, cultural background, learning style, family situation, or other barriers they may encounter. Inclusion cannot simply be something written into a policy. Students and families must experience it in our classrooms, programs, hiring practices, leadership, accessibility, decision-making, and school communities.
Author, Educator and Advocate
My commitment to education and encouraging others also extends to writing. I am the author of RISING ABOVE: My Path To Outstanding Achievement, a book that reflects on my personal journey, the challenges I have encountered, the lessons I have learned, and the determination that has helped me continue moving forward.
The message behind RISING ABOVE is closely connected to what I want young people to understand about their own potential. Our starting point does not have to determine our destination. Challenges, disappointments, and setbacks can become opportunities for learning and growth when we are prepared to persevere.
My journey from a teenager attending Kitchener Collegiate Institute to earning multiple post-secondary credentials, completing a Doctor of Social Work, building a career devoted to helping others, and becoming an author is evidence of what can happen when education, opportunity, perseverance, and service come together.
I want students to recognize that outstanding achievement does not necessarily mean having a perfect journey. Sometimes it means continuing to rise after setbacks, believing in yourself when the path is difficult, accepting help when it is needed, and refusing to allow temporary circumstances to define your future.
A Life of Service and Recognition
Throughout my journey, I have been humbled to receive more than 200 awards and recognitions for my contributions to social work, mental health, education, volunteerism, leadership, inclusion, advocacy, and community service.
Among my most recent recognitions are being named one of Canada’s Top 25 Mental Health Leaders by Reach Out Together, receiving the Master Star Award from York Region Educational Services, and being recognized through Brock University’s Distinguished Faculty Graduate Award for the Faculty of Education.
I am grateful for every recognition I have received, but awards have never been the reason I serve. I believe recognition comes with a responsibility to continue giving back. For me, the greatest reward is knowing that something I have done has helped another person see possibilities, overcome a barrier, access an opportunity, or move forward in life.
My Experience in Public Service and Elections
My commitment to serving the community has also taken me into the democratic process on several occasions. I understand what it means to put my name forward, knock on doors, listen to residents, participate in debates, communicate a vision, work long hours, and ultimately allow the public to decide.
In 2022, I ran for Chair of the Region of Waterloo, challenging incumbent Karen Redman. During that campaign, I was the only candidate to face the incumbent in a one-on-one televised discussion on Rogers TV. That experience gave me another opportunity to discuss regional issues publicly, defend my ideas, listen to different perspectives, and demonstrate that I am prepared to participate in difficult but respectful conversations about the future of our community.
In 2018, I ran for Mayor of Kitchener against incumbent Berry Vrbanovic. Although there was a significant difference in the final vote totals, I finished as the first runner-up. For me, that campaign was never simply about where I finished. It was about having the courage to participate, presenting residents with a choice, learning from the process, and crossing the finish line.
My electoral experience extends beyond those two campaigns. I have also put my name forward for Kitchener City Council in Ward 5, as well as seeking public office at both the provincial level as an MPP candidate and the federal level as an MP candidate.
Each campaign has strengthened me.
Elections teach you about people. They teach you to listen when someone disagrees with you, to communicate clearly, to remain focused when criticized, and to continue working when the outcome is uncertain. They also teach humility. No candidate is entitled to public office; the privilege of serving must be earned through the confidence of voters.
One principle has remained with me throughout these experiences: for me, it is about crossing the finish line.
I know from my own life that we will not always be successful on our first attempt at something. Sometimes we will fall short. Sometimes someone else will finish ahead of us. Sometimes we must return to the drawing board, learn, grow, improve, and try again.
That is not failure. That is perseverance.
It is also an important message for our students. I want young people to understand that one unsuccessful test, one rejected application, one lost competition, or one setback does not determine the rest of their lives. What matters is what we learn from the experience and whether we have the determination to keep moving forward.
My previous election campaigns have therefore prepared me for this candidacy in ways that extend beyond politics. They have strengthened my resilience, understanding of governance, community engagement, public accountability, communication, and ability to remain committed to a goal even when the journey is difficult.
My Journey Has Come Full Circle
My candidacy for WRDSB Trustee in Kitchener represents a very meaningful full-circle moment in my life.
I once walked through the doors of Kitchener Collegiate Institute as a teenager, working to find my place and build my future. Today, I am seeking the opportunity to help shape the education system for the next generation of students walking through those same WRDSB doors.
I bring the perspective of a former WRDSB student, lifelong learner, Doctor of Social Work, social worker, psychotherapist, educator, clinical manager, employment counsellor, youth advocate, researcher, author, community leader, mental health advocate, and experienced candidate for public office.
As a Trustee, I want to champion student achievement, mental health and well-being, equity and inclusion, meaningful parent and caregiver engagement, support for vulnerable students, career and employment readiness, early intervention, safe and welcoming schools, and responsible and accountable governance.
I believe every student deserves to walk into school knowing four important things:
I belong here.
I matter.
I am supported.
I can succeed.
I also want students to know something else from my own journey:
You do not have to win every race to be successful. You have to be willing to start, learn along the way, keep going when the road becomes difficult, and have the courage to cross the finish line.
My story began as a student within the WRDSB. I now want to use the education, professional experience, research, writing, community service, electoral experience, and life lessons I have gained along the way to give back to the school system and community that helped shape my journey.
For me, serving as a Waterloo Region District School Board Trustee would be more than holding an elected position. It would be an opportunity to help ensure that every child—regardless of where they begin their journey—has the support, encouragement, resources, and opportunities needed to reach their full potential.
Dr. Narine Dat Sookram, DSW
WRDSB Trustee Candidate – Kitchener
Author of RISING ABOVE: My Path To Outstanding Achievement