About Tom Kertes

Experiences in-a-coconut-shell: 

  • These experiences are values-based, community-driven, grassroots efforts around human dignity, respect for all, and the sanctity of human life.
  • The are communities building collective transformative power through mutual aid, by working together, and for sustaining community and connection by securing economic human rights in defence of a democracy that respects life, liberty, and universal economic justice and human rights.
  • By building and sustaining institutions, and by securing accountability, transparency, and universality in these institutions — through values-driven political action, literacy-focused popular education, and community-oriented leadership development.

Experiences in-a-nutshell: 

  • These experiences are me doing little things in ways that that hopefully matter. If I am being fair, this work should amount to an at least 0.000000000125 share of the total work that’s required to maintain our world.

The List of Experiences:

  • Public School Student in the 1970s to 1990s
    • Kindergartener at Salnave Elementary School (Cheney, WA)
    • Owner of “On the Spot Coffee” and “Baker’s Dozen Cookie Delivery” (Cheney, WA)
    • Break from public school… student at Gonzaga Preparatory (Spokane, WA)
    • Failed candidate for “Governor” of the Junior Statesmen of America (Seattle, WA)
    • Associated Student Body “Speaker of the House” at Olympic High School (Bremerton, WA)
    • Graduate of Olympic High School (Bremerton, WA)
  • AIDS Activist in the 1990s
    • Queer Nation – Direct action gay, lesbian, and bisexual rights organization (Olympia, WA)
    • ACT UP – AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (Washington, DC) 
  • Economic Human Rights Organizer in the 2000s (Faith-Based Struggle for Economic Justice)
    • Friends and Residents – Public housing residents organizing for the economic human right to housing (Washington, DC)
    • United Workers Association – Homeless day labourers and other low-wage workers organizing for an end to poverty (Baltimore, MD)
    • Living Wages Campaign at Camden Yards – Five-year economic human rights campaign that secured living wages, regular employment, and unionization for the once-temporary cleaners at the publicly-owned ballpark (through the United Workers Association) (Baltimore, MD)
  • Child Care Equity Organizer in the 2010s (Values-Based Campaign for Pay Equity and Accessible Child Care for All)
    • Liberation Learning Project – Early childhood educators working together for respect, dignity, and universal access to child care (Vancouver, BC)
    • Child Care Equity Campaign at UBC – Three-year economic human rights and collective bargaining campaign, including within the BCGEU, that secured a 20% “pay correction” for early childhood educators at UBC (through the Liberation Learning Project and BCGEU) (Vancouver, BC)
  • Public School Teacher in the 2010s and 2020s
    • Prince Rupert, BC (2018-current)
      • High school English teacher
      • Middle school Grade 7 teacher and Drama teacher
    • Daajing Giids, Skidegate, and Masset, Haida Gwaii, BC (2015-2018)
      • High school English and Drama teacher 
      • Grade 4/5 teacher and Grade K/1 teacher
    • Local Union Professional Development Committee Chair, Local Union Social Justice Committee Chair, Local Union Vice President, Teachers Teaching on Call Representative, BCTF Professional Issues Advisory Committee member, past Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii Labour Council President, and other local and provincial union roles (HGTA, PRDTU, BCTF)
  • Other Experiences
    • Busser, fast food worker, department store Santa Clause and elf, toy store manager, science museum educator and presenter, and storyteller (off-and-on from 1991 to 2003) 
    • Ways and Means Committee clerk, Washington State Senate (1993)
    • Co-owner and manager of a children’s book store and toy store (off-and-on from 1994 to 2000)
    • Preschool teacher, early childhood educator, and executive director of a child care centre (1997-2000, 2003, 2010-2013)
    • Early childhood policy specialist (self-regulatory college) (2009-2010)
    • College instructor in early childhood educator (Seneca College) (2008)
    • Graduate student in Human Development and Applied Psychology at OISE (University of Toronto) (2008-2009)
    • Television production, marketing, viral video, and public relations specialist (gigs) (1999-2009)

Contact

Introduction: Mr. Kertes di waayu. Kittitas ada Boosn di wil ‘waatgu. Canadian ada Boosn 'nüüyu. Kxeen di wil dzogu. Adabiis di pdeegu.

About: Mr. Kertes is a high school English teacher in Prince Rupert, which is in the territory of the Ts’msyen, at Charles Hays Secondary School (CHSS) - home of the Rainmakers. The language of the Ts'msyen is Sm’algya̲x.

Education: Master in Educational Leadership (2019) (VIU); Bachelor of Education: Indigenous Perspectives in Education (2014) (SFU); Diploma: Early Childhood Education (including Infant/Toddler) (2010) (Langara); Graduate Studies: Human Development and Applied Psychology (2008-2009) (OISE/U of T); Bachelor of Arts: Psychology (2003) (University of Washington)

Experience: English teacher at CHSS (2023-current); Grade 7 teacher and Drama 8 teacher at PRMS (2018-2023); English teacher and Drama teacher at Gidg̱alang Ḵuuyas Naay (2016-2018); Teacher at Sk’aadgaa Naay Elementary and Tahayghen Elementary (2015); Early Childhood Educator at UBC (2010-2013); Policy and Communications Advisor at Ontario's self-regulatory College of Early Childhood Educators (2009-2010); Instructor – Early Childhood Education and Child Development at Seneca College (2008); Executive Director at Pike Market Child Care (2003); Director of Learning Services at Puget Sound Learning (1994-2000); Early Childhood Educator – Children’s Garden Preschool (1997-2000)

Thomas W. Kertes CV (pdf)

Tom Kertes Resume