All my policies have one thing in common: they put students’ educational needs first. Whether we are talking about academic standards, school safety, mental-health support, artificial intelligence, or how limited resources are spent, I believe decisions should be based on evidence, common sense, and measurable student needs.
My background in medicine and science taught me to look carefully at evidence before making decisions. My more than 20 years of working with students and families taught me something equally important: listen. Parents, teachers, students, and educational professionals often see problems long before they appear in reports and statistics.
If elected, my goal would be to help build a school system where students have strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, science, and critical thinking; where they feel safe and supported; and where technology serves learning rather than replacing independent thought.
I would also work for responsible use of public resources, transparent decision-making, and stronger communication between families, schools, and the board.
Ultimately, I want every decision I make as a trustee to pass one test: Does this help our students receive a stronger education and prepare them to thrive in the world beyond school?
Public Safety & Policing
Reconciliation & Indigenous Nations
Schools & Public Education
Artificial Intelligence in Schools
Bullying & Bigotry
Indigenous Schooling
Media Literacy & Critical Thinking
Neurodivergent Students & Support
Police in Schools
Student Involvement & Engagement
Biography
Hongyun Chen, MD, PhD is an educator, scientist, writer, and community volunteer with more than 20 years of experience working directly with students and families in Richmond and Greater Vancouver.
Coming from a family of educators, Hongyun has maintained a lifelong commitment to learning. She holds degrees in medicine and molecular biology and has worked in scientific research, biotechnology, education, and publishing. Her scientific training has shaped her evidence-based and analytical approach to education.
Hongyun is also a poet and translator and serves as Vice-President of the Chinese Poetry Society of Canada. Her community involvement has brought her into contact with families and young people from diverse backgrounds.
As a candidate for Richmond School Trustee, Hongyun brings experience in education, science, and community service, with particular interest in foundational learning, student well-being, emerging technologies such as AI, and responsible stewardship of public education resources.
Reason for running
I’m running for Richmond School Trustee because education has shaped my entire life, and I want to give back to the community that has been home to so many of the students and families I’ve worked with over the past 20 years.
Coming from a family of educators, with a background in medicine, science, and teaching, I believe strongly in evidence-based decision-making and in keeping students’ learning at the centre of every decision.
I want to strengthen the fundamentals—literacy, numeracy, science, and critical thinking—while helping our schools respond responsibly to new challenges such as artificial intelligence. I also want every student to feel safe, supported, and able to learn.
As a trustee, I would listen carefully to students, parents, teachers, and the wider community, ask difficult questions when necessary, and work to ensure that school resources are used responsibly and directed where they make the greatest difference for students.