Josh Rivers
Waterloo Catholic School Board Trustee

AIM FOR EXCELLENCE

Skills for Life
Promoting solid academic foundations for every student to live up to their fullest potential.
Mutual Respect
Fostering an atmosphere of dignity and civility.
Open Communication
Facilitating clear dialogue and openness between parents, teachers and board members.
Making Schools a Safe Place to Learn
Creating a safe learning environment for all students and teachers.
Student Focused Budgeting
Making every dollar count to support students and teachers.
Celebrating Our Catholic Identity
Rejoicing in the Catholic tradition of love, joy, hope and charity.

Hi! I'm Josh!

I’m a Catholic convert, dad and artist.

Art and creativity have always been integral to who I am. Mostly self-taught in illustration and cartooning, I started my career as a sign maker and designer. Within a few years I started teaching Digital Media to adults at Conestoga College.

My parents homeschooled me and my three siblings and, raised as faithful Presbyterian Christians, we learned the Bible from a young age. As an adult, I started to feel the calling to the Catholic Church. I was confirmed at St Aloysius in Kitchener in 2013 and my new adventure began. I spent a few years in London running a boardgame cafe which became a beloved community hub where everyone was welcomed and loved.

It was at this time I started dating the wonderful and amazing love of my life. We got married and moved back to KW just before our first daughter was born. Becoming a father was the most pivotal moment of my life, giving me a sense of purpose and love that I had never experienced.

I began work as a web and graphic designer and was able to stay working from home through the lockdowns, spending every day with my wife and little girl. Time flew and before I knew it, she was starting JK at St Teresa Elementary School.

Over the next few years I watched her grow and learn. I met her amazing teachers, volunteered for field trips, got to meet her classmates and their parents as well.

When we were expecting our second daughter, I left my job to become an independent designer and digital media specialist designing educational books for children and production work for major institutions.

Throughout my life, Jesus Christ has always been my source of hope and my source of joy. I want only to share the love He has shown me with every single person that I meet.

Skills for Life

Promoting solid academic foundations for every student to live up to their fullest potential.

Holding a higher standard for academic excellence for all students. Literacy, mathematics, science, problem-solving and practical life skills are the building blocks of life in the real world. Learning these skills early helps students in all future endeavors, including further education, employment and even supporting a family. Solid foundations are key!

Mutual Respect

Fostering an atmosphere of dignity and civility.

Teachers, students, parents and board members are all partners in fostering healthy learning environments. We all have our parts to play and each deserve the utmost dignity, respect and all of us should strive for the highest standard of civility. Everyone is important and valued and imbued with divine potential.

Open Communication

Facilitating clear dialogue and openness between parents, teachers and board members.

Open dialogue and clear communication between the parents, teachers and the WCDSB is essential. Parents should know what is being taught in the classrooms and teachers should be empowered to voice their needs to the board. Likewise the board should open to hear the input of parents and teachers and be transparent about any decisions they make. 

Making Schools a Safe Place to Learn

Creating a safe learning environment for all students and teachers.

Parents should not have to worry about their child’s safety while they are at school, and educators should not have to fear abuse. Our policies against violent or abusive behaviour need enforcement.

Student Focused Budgeting

Making every dollar count to support students and teachers.

Parents need to know that the tax dollars that they pay actually go toward their children's education. The excellent teachers in our system need to feel supported and respected financially and compensated for their hard work. I will stand for responsible, transparent budgeting that keeps the focus on building a better future for our kids.

Celebrating Our Catholic Identity

Rejoicing in the Catholic tradition of love, joy, hope and charity.

As an extension of the Catholic Church, it is  for the Catholic schools to teach as such. 

Not to impose belief on non-catholic students, but to teach honestly and sincerely the tenets of the Faith and preach the Gospel without shame. 

As a Catholic I want my children to grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith. While they are entrusted to the care and supervision of the school, I want to know that they are being supported and encouraged to grow in their relationship with Christ.

I would love to hear from you!

If you have any questions or concerns, your voice matters.

If you would like to request a lawn sign, make sure you indicate your address. 
NOTE: Please do not throw out your sign after the election. I will pick up your sign for you at the end of the campaign.

Contact

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On Monday, October 26, 2026,
vote and make your voice heard.
I will stand for stronger community and a brighter future for all students.
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vote@joshrivers.com
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THANK YOU SO MUCH! Your support is greatly appreciated. God bless you.
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