A long time resident of Don Valley West, Rachel has dedicated her volunteer activities and career in public service to championing the needs of students, families, and the broader DVW community.
During her time as the Trustee for DVW, Rachel has worked tirelessly to ensure that every student has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. She played a pivotal role in expanding access to French Immersion programs, opening three new sites at Bedford Park Public School, Fraser Mustard Early Learning Academy, and Thorncliffe Park Public School. This initiative not only provided more educational choices for families but also reduced traffic and transit travel time, making a positive impact on the environment and community well-being.
Rachel's commitment to enhancing learning extends well beyond the classroom. She successfully secured $169 million in city funding for schoolyard renewals, ensuring that these spaces remain vibrant and accessible to the community outside of school hours. Additionally, she supported innovative projects like the Park Lane PS schoolyard trail and play stations, and the Hodgson Middle School expansion, which is set to reopen in 2026.
She championed a 1:1 computer-to-student ratio for grades 5 and up, ensuring all students have the technological tools they need for success. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rachel sponsored critical motions to protect staff and students, advocated for priority vaccine access for education workers, and pushed for better ventilation in schools. Recognized for her leadership, Rachel was appointed to represent the TDSB at the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, where she amplified the voice of public education across the province.
Rachel has also been a strong advocate for students with special needs, working to secure an additional $19 million in Special Incidence Portion funding for those requiring the highest levels of support. Her leadership in revising TDSB's cell phone policy set a new standard for student mental health, well-being, and academic achievement, eventually influencing Ministry of Education policies.
As Chair of the TDSB Board, Rachel developed strong relationships with all levels of government, union and federation partners, community leaders, and agencies to support student success and well-being. Her efforts led to significant achievements, including new funding for youth violence prevention and the establishment of a TDSB/Toronto Police Service Summit to foster collaboration between schools and local law enforcement.
Rachel’s governance expertise extended to her role in chairing various standing committees and leading the adoption of TDSB’s $3.4 billion budget and the 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan. She has been an active member of the TDSB’s Expert Reference Panel on School Safety and Well-Being, contributing to cross-sectoral strategies for youth health and violence prevention.
Rachel has also been deeply involved in many other facets of the Don Valley West community. She was a key member of the Midtown Working Group, collaborating with local leaders and city officials to develop a vision for the South West corner of Yonge and Eglinton, known as "A New Town Centre for Midtown Toronto," which was unanimously adopted by City Council in 2021. Before her tenure as Trustee, Rachel was a vocal advocate for including schools in complete community infrastructure plans and played a crucial role in pushing for the TDSB to collection of Education Development Charges.
Rachel’s familiarity with the ward as a long time resident, elected experience, commitment to public service, and proven ability to get things done all make her the only candidate who can hit the ground running on day one as our next Councillor for Don Valley West, to make it all work.