Harman Pandher, BCA Burnaby School Board Trustee-elect

Born in Vancouver, 17 days later Harman's family moved to Burnaby, where he grew up and attended Second Street Community School. He graduated from Burnaby’s Cariboo Hill Secondary School where he started his life-long passion for sports that he continues to this day, by playing basketball and helping coach various sports for elementary school students.

After graduation, Harman attended the University of British Columbia and obtained two degrees – a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English literature and a Bachelor of Education degree. He completed his student teaching practicum at Burnaby’s Capitol Hill Elementary and shortly thereafter worked as an on-call teacher in Burnaby teaching everything from K to 12.

Harman now works full time in Surrey’s public school system as a Grade 5 teacher. He has also completed some coursework towards a Masters of Education degree.

Harman believes in giving back to the community. As a public school teacher who is well-versed in the issues facing public education, he feels it's his civic duty to draw on his personal experience and professional expertise so he can contribute and give back to Burnaby. He knows the value of a supportive community and the benefits a quality public education can bring.

Growing up in a socially conscious family that engendered community involvement, Harman stepped forward and has served on the Board of Directors of the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House and the Burnaby Multicultural Society. Fluent in both English and Punjabi, he currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Punjabi Language Education Association that works to support Punjabi language programs in BC schools.

A published author of a collection of English poetry, Harman is currently working on a collection of children’s stories and another book of poetry.

Harman lives in Burnaby with his wife Joy and is a proud hockey dad of his young son Seva who is enrolled in Burnaby Minor Hockey. Harman is also an avid Canucks, Lions and Whitecaps fan.

Board Committees:

Youth & Community Services
Community Relations
Finance

Community:

Member, Board of Directors, South Burnaby Neighbourhood House
Member, Board of Directors, Burnaby Multicultual Society
Member, Board of Directors, Punjabi Language Education Association
Leadership: Coordinator of “Divas for Devatas” (“candles for Angels”) fundraising drive to support BC Children’s Hospital