CANMORE – When a spot opened up on the Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools' board, John David Bogdanowski knew it was time to continue his passion for education and helping people in a new avenue.
He also has a strong connection to Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy in Canmore.
“My wife works at the school. My daughter is at the school. I have been connected with the school for over 14 years and it really holds a special part of my life for me,” Bogdanowski said. “I wanted the Canmore people to have a voice and I am that voice for them.”
Bogdanowski was acclaimed in his position on Oct. 26, and will attend his first board meeting as a new trustee on Nov. 24.
“With this position, I am committed. I am going to be there for the meetings,” Bogdanowski said. “I am going to show commitment to the position, and I am going to celebrate all the good things happening at the school.”
As the trustee representing Canmore, Bogdanowski said he wants to be there for the community if there are any concerns or issues.
“I want to communicate that to the board so that Canmore has a voice.”
Catholic education is a passion for Bogdanowski, which is something he hopes to bring to the school board.
“I really try to advocate for Catholic education. It is really important to me that in our community that people remember and know that the Catholic school is a good option for people,” he said. “It allows our students to develop through our Catholic values and it is important for that option for our community members.”
Bogdanowski is no stranger to education. He worked for two decades as a teacher, including eight years with Indigenous students, something he is particularly proud of. His love for Canmore goes back two decades as well to when he moved to the community in 2000.
“I came out to ski, but I fell in love with the mountain culture, the outdoor lifestyle and the people of Canmore,” he said.
He returned to Ontario to finish his education and work as a teacher, but Canmore was not something he could shake.
“All I could think about was Canmore, so I came out in 2008 and just put roots here,” he said. “My wife started teaching at the school right away.”
As the new trustee, Bogdanowski wants to bring his passion for change and helping students, and his love of Canmore to the board.
“A school board, since I am representing Canmore, anything that needs to be communicated can be communicated through me to the board,” he said. “It is just basically my passion to help others. Teaching was just an easy fit.”
