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Including critical race theory and gender theory.
Authentic Catholic Social Justice must not be confused with political ideologies that denigrate the beauty and fulfillment of Catholic culture.
We must always remain true to the Lord and His teachings.
Staff freely choose to sign a contract that includes the obligation to publicly support and not contradict the teachings of the Catholic faith on and off the job. Enforce the contracts, starting at the top. A deal is a deal.
We are failing to pass our Catholic faith on to the next generation.
I have seen the problems first-hand, and watch as children abandon the faith. CCSD strives to graduate students into university, where 90% become irreligious. This is not success; it is an imminent disaster.
Parents know best how COVID affects their children.
Some parents are keeping their children at home wanting more stringent COVID protocols; others are keeping them home to avoid the requirement for masks. I support choices for parents that include a fully locked-down program, a fully open program, and schools in between.
Elected Catholic politicians need to provide courageous leadership.
When churches are burning, we need strong, consistent, and informed Catholic spokespersons prepared to defend the Church—the foundation of western civilization and the inspiration for education, science, and human rights.
Hire devout, practicing Catholics to teach Faith Formation classes.
When 60% of CCSD teachers do not attend Mass regularly, it is imprudent to count on them to inspire students with the love of Christ. Catechizing teachers needs to be part of professional development. Hiring protocols must improve.
Create model Catholic units of study for all subjects.
Our schools teach the Alberta curriculum, often using resources with elements not in harmony with Catholic teaching. Providing model study units to teachers will enable them to easily increase and improve Catholic content.
The Board of Trustees must hold the Administration to account.
Substitute teachers are threatened with disciplinary action for simply speaking about any topic that “may be controversial in nature or cause a student to be upset,” including Catholic moral issues. This hypocrisy must stop, and it starts at the policy level.
“Your mission looks solidly true to the Faith. Refreshingly Catholic! ” — F. Fraser
Dan Penna is a veteran teacher with over 20 years of experience. As a Special Education Specialist, he taught children with unique learning needs including those with cognitive disabilities, Young Offenders in detention, and other at-risk youth. Dan coached 45 community and school sports teams including hockey, baseball, and soccer.
Prior to teaching, Dan worked for a provincial cabinet minister, co-founded a non-profit organization, served on a food co-op board and the Toronto Race Relations and Policing Committee, and co-edited the U of C student newspaper.
Dan is married with four adult children. As a member of Ascension Parish, he serves as a lector on a regular basis. Dan’s Catholic faith shapes his outlook and he strives to live a life of obedience to Christ.
University of Toronto (1999 - 2000)
University of Saskatchewan - St. Thomas More College (1991)
