Elementary Indigenous Pathways & Graduation Coach

Location: Dryden Area Schools

(Non-Union Support Staff, 12 month position - Permanent - Full Time) Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) is situated in beautiful Northwestern Ontario. KPDSB serves the educational needs of approximately 5,000 students within 17 elementary and 6 secondary schools in the communities of Kenora, Sioux Narrows, Vermilion Bay, Ear Falls, Red Lake, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Ignace, Pickle Lake, Savant Lake, and Upsala. Additional information regarding the Board is available on the Boards web site at http://www.kpdsb.on.ca/ .

Purpose of the Position

This is a unique opportunity for experienced and dedicated individuals to work under the direction of the Board/school administrative team, to support First Nations youth in Grades K- 8. The Elementary Indigenous Pathways & Graduation Coach works alongside the Principal and in-school support team to assist the school community in improving academic and well-being success for First Nation students.

The objectives of the Elementary Indigenous Pathways & Graduation Coach Approach are to: Identify and remove barriers to better enable Indigenous students to engage in school and to facilitate their learning, well-being and achievement.

Further establish trusting relationships with Indigenous students, their families and communities, so they have a greater level of confidence in the efficacy of the students education.

Transform school culture and enhance the collective knowledge of the educators to strengthen their skills and knowledge related to identifying and removing barriers to facilitate the engagement, well-being and learning of Indigenous students.

Identify strategies, milestones, and indicators to support Indigenous students to transition successfully to Grade 9 and beyond.Elementary Indigenous Pathways & Graduation Coaches provide supports to Indigenous learners and their families with the goal of seeing each learner through to secondary and towards their own chosen pathways. An Elementary Indigenous Pathways & Graduation Coach is an individual whose life experience is ideally deeply rooted in the Indigenous communities and holds experiential connections to the culture. Different than a teacher, an education assistant or counselor, the coach is a mentor and an advisor. The coach is a professional member of the school, is integral to the student success team, and as such plays an essential role as advocate for each learner with teachers, other school staff, families, and communities

Responsibilities:

The Elementary Indigenous Pathways & Graduation Coach demonstrates the following: Student-centred focus - builds trusting relationships with elementary Indigenous youth and their families/communities and advocates to improve achievement and attendance for First Nations students attending elementary schools

Program implementation and monitoring - leads and implements programs, services and other supports to meet the unique needs of First Nation students and their families, with a focus on student success; actively participates in monthly case management to First Nation student attendance, achievement, and well-being data.

Collaboration - collaborates with school administration, student success team, staff, parents, First Nation officials, other Graduation Coaches, and outside agencies to build networks and supports to foster success for students. Works alongside the secondary schools Secondary Graduation Coaches and Navigators to provide seamless pathways to supports inside and outside the school.

Knowledge Sharing and Professional Development - the Coach is supervised by the school Principal/Vice-Principal and part of a student success school team.Education and Qualifications Degree or diploma in Youth Worker, Social Work, First Nations Family Support, Education, Health Care or related field as determined by the Human Resources Manager, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, working with and supporting youth

Trauma, Restorative Practices, and/or Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)training, or willingness to attend this training

A valid drivers license and the willingness and ability to travel for school board related business is required

Fluency in Ojibwa/Oji Cree language preferredKnowledge and Attributes Deep understanding of First Nations culture, youth culture, and the principles of youth engagement

Experience working with First Nations youth and in First Nations communities

Empathy and a strong commitment to young people and an understanding of the factors affecting their lives

Personal resilience and optimism

Ability to provide reliable support to young people in times of stress; treat young people's concerns with respect, tact and sensitivity; and maintain awareness of the limits required by confidentiality and the boundaries that govern the youth/youth worker relationship

Strong interpersonal communication skills with diverse audiences

Ability to stay organized and maintain documentation

Initiative, accountability, patience, integrity and flexibility

Regular and predictable attendance This position will be posted until Friday, April 26 , 2024 at 4:00pm. Applicants must include the name of three professional references with authorization for the Keewatin Patricia District School Board to contact the references under the terms of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Madison White, Human Resources Officer

The Board thanks all applicants for indicating their interest in this position, however, only those selected for a personal interview will be contacted.

Confidential Information provided by applicants will be used for the purpose of this competition only and will be protected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

This Board is an equal opportunity employer.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. C. Radbourne, Director of Education R. Griffiths, Board Chair