I am grateful to share that I have officially registered as a candidate for York Catholic District School Board Trustee for Markham Area 2, which includes Markham Wards 4, 5, 7, and 8.
This decision comes from who I am as a parent, community volunteer, and someone who has spent time listening to families and learning from school communities.
I am a father of three children, and like many parents, I care deeply about children’s education, their school experience, and the kind of community they grow up in. Over the years, my involvement in education and community service has helped me understand how important it is for parents to feel informed, heard, and supported.
I currently serve as Secretary of my local Catholic Elementary School Catholic School Council (CSC), Treasurer of ABC Ontario, the Association for Bright Children of Ontario, and a member of SEAC, the Special Education Advisory Committee. SEAC provides advice to the school board on special education programs and services, while ABC Ontario is a volunteer-led organization supporting families of bright, gifted, and twice-exceptional learners. These roles have helped me better understand the needs of students, parents, teachers, and school communities.
I am also the founder of Active Community Engagement, a non-profit organization focused on encouraging civic participation and community involvement, especially among young people. Over the years, I have been involved in different community initiatives and local causes.
Through my work with CSC, SEAC, ABC Ontario, and community organizations, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the many different learning needs students may have, as well as the real challenges schools face in supporting students every day.
Education is not just a policy issue to me. It is personal and community-based.
It is about the child who needs support to participate fully in class. It is about the parent trying to understand an Individual Education Plan, or IEP. It is about the gifted or twice-exceptional student who needs the right level of challenge and support. It is about the student who needs help with mental health, confidence, communication, or social skills.
These experiences are what led me to become more involved in school communities, parent engagement, Catholic School Council work, and education advocacy.
They are also why I created yanzhoueducation.ca — a parent education website where I share practical information about YCDSB, school programs, IEPs, gifted education, PACE, special education, parent engagement, and school community issues.
My goal has always been simple: to help parents better understand the education system so they can better support their children, while also recognizing the important role of teachers and school staff.
What Is Markham Area 2?
For the York Catholic District School Board trustee election, Markham is divided into two trustee areas.
Markham Area 2 includes Markham Wards 4, 5, 7, and 8.
Eligible Catholic school supporters living in these wards will vote for the YCDSB Trustee representing Markham Area 2.
If you live in Markham Wards 4, 5, 7, or 8 and are eligible to vote for the York Catholic District School Board, this is the trustee race that represents you.
My Campaign Platform: What I Will Do If Elected
If elected as YCDSB Trustee for Markham Area 2, I will focus on three practical priorities: student supports, responsible budget decisions, and stronger parent engagement through Catholic School Councils.
These priorities reflect what I have learned through my work with Catholic School Council, SEAC, ABC Ontario, community organizations, and parent education through yanzhoueducation.ca.
1. Advocate for Student Supports, Mental Health, and Classroom Resources
Students have different strengths and challenges.
Some students need special education support. Some have IEPs. Some are gifted or twice-exceptional. Some need support with mental health, confidence, communication, social skills, or emotional well-being.
Through my work with Catholic School Council, SEAC, and ABC Ontario, I have gained a better understanding of how important it is for students to receive the right support at the right time.
If elected, I will:
- listen to parents, educators, and school communities about gaps in student support
- ask how board decisions affect classrooms and student services
- advocate for classroom resources that help schools better support students
- support stronger attention to student mental health and well-being
- encourage clearer information for families navigating IEPs, special education, gifted education, PACE, and school supports
My goal is to help keep student needs at the centre of board decisions.
2. Support Responsible Budget Decisions That Protect Classrooms
YCDSB is facing financial pressure, and families deserve responsible, transparent decisions about how resources are used.
Budget decisions should be accountable and focused on what matters most: student learning, classroom supports, special education, school resources, and the people who work directly with students.
My role as Treasurer of ABC Ontario has also strengthened my understanding of accountability, careful financial oversight, and the importance of using resources responsibly.
If elected, I will:
- ask clear questions about how budget decisions affect classrooms
- advocate for student learning, special education, classroom resources, and school supports to remain priorities
- support financial accountability and responsible use of public resources
- encourage clear communication with families about major budget decisions
- focus on practical decisions that protect what matters most in schools
My goal is to support financial responsibility while keeping students and classrooms at the centre.
3. Strengthen Parent Engagement and Catholic School Councils
Parents want to be informed, involved, and heard.
As Secretary of my local Catholic Elementary School Catholic School Council, I have seen firsthand how Catholic School Councils can support school communities, encourage parent involvement, and strengthen communication between families and schools.
Catholic School Councils play an important role in building stronger school communities. They help parents understand school needs, support school initiatives, and work with administrators and teachers in a constructive way.
If elected, I will:
- encourage clearer communication between the board, schools, and families
- support Catholic School Councils as meaningful partners in school communities
- share practical information to help parents understand school programs, policies, IEPs, PACE, special education, and board decisions
- encourage respectful, constructive parent engagement focused on students
- listen to CSC members, parent volunteers, and school communities across Markham Area 2
Through yanzhoueducation.ca, I have already been working to share practical parent resources on topics such as YCDSB programs, IEPs, gifted education, PACE, special education, and school policies.
I believe informed parents can become stronger partners in education. At the same time, parent engagement works best when it is respectful, constructive, and focused on students.
My goal is to help parents feel more informed, involved, and connected to their schools.
Supporting Students. Strengthening School Communities.
This message reflects what I believe.
Supporting students means recognizing that every child has different strengths, needs, and potential.
Strengthening school communities means helping parents, educators, school staff, Catholic School Councils, parish communities, and local partners work together with trust.
That is the kind of leadership I hope to offer.
A Personal Commitment
This campaign is not about being political.
It is about service.
It is about students, families, teachers, and the school communities we all care about.
I know I still have much to learn, and I will continue listening to parents, educators, students, and community members throughout this journey.
If you are a parent, educator, student, Catholic school supporter, or community member in Markham Wards 4, 5, 7, or 8, I would be grateful for the opportunity to connect with you.
Learn More
To learn more about my education work and parent resources, please visit:
yanzhoueducation.ca
Thank you for your support.
Yan Zhou
Candidate for YCDSB Trustee
Markham Area 2
Markham Wards 4, 5, 7, and 8
Yan Zhou on Catholic Education & Advocacy 
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