VOTE OCTOBER 20-26

Ensuring Kids Thrive at School

Dear Ward 1,2, and 4 Residents,

As a former Head of Education for a global non-profit and a mother of two, I can attest that there is no better investment a family or a society can make than in a child’s education. And that is why I am running for school board trustee.

I have deep roots in Richmond Hill, with my grandparents, my mother, and myself all working at or attending schools in the wards I hope to serve. I know that my success, including leading a $330 million portfolio of education programming for 8.9 million children, is a result of the positive impact of Richmond Hill schools.

Now more than ever, as I raise my own children here, I want to see Richmond Hill continue to be a place where all children thrive. I will bring 17 years of professional experience in the education sector, knowledge of our community, and perspective as a parent to serve you.

I commit to using my voice, determination, and evidence of what works to solve the day-to-day challenges within our schools. I look forward to meeting and talking with you over the coming months.

Sincerely,

Nicole Nikolaidis

Priorities

I want to see every child thrive in Richmond Hill schools. My priorities to achieve this are:

01

Academic Success.

All children gain the skills they need to succeed. This means maintaining high standards, particularly in literacy and math.

02

Evidence.

Schools and students are set up for success. This means anchoring strategy and funding in the evidence of what works for learning .

03

Online Safety & Learning.

Children’s online safety is at the heart of policies. This means working with schools, families and the community to mitigate the risks of being online. It also means navigating responsible use of AI in teaching and learning.

Trustee Responsibilities

York Region District School Board Trustees oversee a thriving and progressive education system. They are your democratically elected voice in the strategy, policies, and financial management of your schools.

A Trustee's responsibilities include being a communicator with the public, a policymaker and an advocate for quality education. They are accountable to you. Learn more here

Nicole's Background

Global strategy leadership for a USD $330 million education portfolio at Save the Children International, the world’s largest child rights non‑profit.
Education policy analysis for the UNESCO Global Monitoring Report for Education
Operational efficiency of K–12 programs—including budgeting, procurement, and compliance—for multi-million dollar Global Affairs Canada-funded programs at Right to Play and the Aga Khan Foundation.
Advocacy for child rights and education with Ministries of Education, UN agencies, teachers, and families.
Evidence-based quality improvement to youth programming at Tim Hortons Foundation
Board governance for Safe to Learn, a global initiative working to end all forms of violence against children in and through schools.
Faculty at International Baccalaureate schools
Master's degree in Education & Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy