Educator Natasa Sirotic is running with the People’s Party of Canada to be Delta’s member of Parliament.
Sirotic (her name is pronounced Natasha See-ro-Teach) is a teacher, teacher educator and entrepreneur who co-founded Math Potentials — an after-school math and science enrichment organization with locations in Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam — in 2000, where she still serves as director of faculty and curriculum.
The organization specializes in providing extracurricular enrichment programs for Grade 4-12 students, preparing them for both academic and life success by equipping them with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, according to a bio shared with the North Delta Reporter.
“Natasa believes that children are the future of society and so it matters immensely how we bring up our future generations. Her students, most of whom now hold prosperous jobs in various industries, remember her by the quotes that she frequently used in her classes, [like] ‘Mathematics is not a spectator sport’ (meaning one learns it by doing and not by watching someone else do it, much like in sports or playing an instrument) or ‘Mathematics, like music, is for everyone.’"
According to her bio, family, community and the pursuit of knowledge through lifetime learning are the foundations in which Sirotic finds a deep sense of purpose.
With her husband and two young daughters, Sirotic immigrated to Canada from Slovenia in the early 1990s. Her two sons were born in Canada a few years later, and the family of first- and second-generation Canadians embraced their new homeland and grew roots in the Lower Mainland.
Sirotic started her career as an engineer working in the telecommunications industry, but as her family grew and her children entered school, she discovered her true calling was in the world of education.
Sirotic completed her bachelor of education at UBC in 1998 and was certified to teach secondary school math and computer science in B.C. While working full time and raising her family, she earned two graduate degrees from Simon Fraser University: a master’s degree and a PhD,both in mathematics education.
Her teaching experience has extended to both public and independent schools, including a decade-long tenure at Southpointe Academy in Tswassassen from 2006 to 2016, plus a full-time position as a lecturer and faculty advisor with UBC’s Faculty of Education, where she mentored, supervised and evaluated pre-service teachers during their practicum placements in schools. She is also a scholar and published author of educational research.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Sirotic finds solace and inspiration in nature, embracing the beauty and abundance of Delta by kayaking the Fraser River from Deas Island to Ladner, biking the bike along Boundary Bay Dyke, hiking in Burns Bog, and beekeeping in her own backyard — a hobby she picked up three years ago that allows her to produce her own honey while learning great lessons from the hive and other local beekeepers alike.
“A passionate advocate for healthy living, environment and community engagement, Natasa’s passion for life shines through supporting local farms, driving a fuel cell hydrogen car, volunteering in a local math contest’s preparation and leading math workshops in schools, and cherishing moments with her beloved grandchildren,” her bio states.
In every aspect of her life, Natasa embodies the values of integrity, dedication and leadership through service. As she ventures into the realm of political candidacy, she brings with her a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to her community, and a vision for a brighter future for all.”
To date, two other candidates have said they are running to be Delta's member of Parliament: Delta Police officer Jessy Sahota with the Conservative Party, and Delta Chamber of Commerce executive director Jill McKight with the Liberal Party.
The nomination process for candidates closes Monday, April 7, and a complete list of confirmed candidates will be announced two days later, on Wednesday, April 9.
Canadians go to the polls on Monday, April 28, with advance voting from April 18-21 and mail-in options.
— with a file from Tom Zillich
