DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

M'Chigeeng First Nation; M’Chigeeng; On-site; CAD 72,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

A First Nations community in Ontario seeks a Director of Education to manage its educational system. This role involves providing educational leadership, developing policies, and ensuring student success in alignment with community values. Candidates must have a Master's in education, leadership experience, and a commitment to First Nations issues. Applications are due by September 19, 2025. Interested applicants should contact the Human Resources department.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of related experience in First Nation services.
• Proven successful educational leadership experience.
• Knowledge of the culture, history, and customs of the Anishinabek.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the total organization and administration of the educational system.
• Provide educational leadership and advice to the Enaagdenjged and Chief & Council.
• Ensure fiscal management aligns with educational objectives.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to plan strategically

Knowledge of current key issues in First Nations education

Education

Master’s degree in education

Principal 1 and 2

Job description

Director of Education

Department: Education

Classification & Level: Senior Management - $72,800 - $135,000

Position Status: Full-Time Regular

POSITION SUMMARY: This position requires a person who has worked with First Nations and is aware of First Nations issues. He/she holds complex and diversified responsibilities to carry out initiatives, develop, organize, plan, and direct operations and activities of the M’Chigeeng First Nation educational system. The Director will be a visionary who is a well-respected educational leader with a proven record. He/she is results-oriented, and can strategically foster growth, development, and opportunities for band membership and members of the M’Chigeeng educational system. He/she will build strong relationships to develop a ‘system’; and will work in collaboration with Chief & Council, the Education Staff, the M’Chigeeng community, external affiliates, and government officials.

The Director of Education will be responsible for the total organization, management, and administration of the M’Chigeeng educational system. The Director of Education reports to the Enaagdenjged.

Areas of the Director’s Responsibility

SYSTEM LEADERSHIP & PLANNING

• Demonstrates positive and proactive system leadership
• Organizes/facilitates a review of the education system’s mission and vision and values, inclusive of education department and community consultation
• Develops, through the visioning process, a “systems” identity (i.e., culture, language, etc.)
• Reviews recommendations from Education Evaluations and develops an implementation plan complete with monitoring of outcomes
• Supports leadership in advocating for M’Chigeeng’s own control of education
• Preparation for the development of a M’Chigeeng Board of Education and work closely with the Enaagdenjged
• Develops appropriate education policies, procedures to support the Education System in M’Chigeeng First Nation
• Provides leadership in the planning and development of policies within the Education Department
• Provides leadership and accountability for the implementation and review of policies and administrative procedures within the Education System
• Provides leadership for the development and annual review of the Education System’s multi-year strategic directions (“System Growth Plan”)
• Ensures that the multi-year strategic directions and priorities identify specific measures and resources that will be applied, specifically with regard to the education system’s responsibility for student achievement
• Ensures appropriate involvement in system planning, including approval of process and timelines, establishment of priorities and expected outcomes
• Reports regularly on implementation and results achieved in relation to the multi-year strategic directions and improvement plans
• Provides a Director’s Annual Report and other necessary reports as requested by the Enaagdenjged

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

• Provides advice, leadership and recommendations to the Enaagdenjged, Committees and Chief and Council on all educational matters
• Demonstrates a positive relationship with all staff, band membership and external partners
• Participates in external working groups (e.g., FNWSC, COO, Anishinabek Nation, etc.)
• Collaborates with elementary, secondary, and post-secondary counsellors in the delivery of services to promote and encourage community members to attain higher education

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & WELL-BEING

• Takes the necessary steps to provide a safe, caring learning environment
• Provides advice and leadership in setting goals for student achievement and well-being, and in promoting the vision of inspiring success for all students in collaboration with the Daycare Supervisor, Lakeview School Principal, High School Navigator and Post-Secondary Navigator
• Ensures that all M’Chigeeng students have the opportunity to meet the standards of education set out in the Strategic Plan (“System Growth Plan”)
• Ensures that a variety of methods to assess academic achievement (e.g., EQAO, portfolios, rubrics, conferences) are employed
• Ensures that there is an up-to-date and thorough student data system (i.e., student achievement, attendance, suspensions for MFN students from daycare through to secondary)
• Monitors and evaluates the student data on a regular basis and takes necessary intervention measures in collaboration with the respective lead
• Ensures that Anishinabemowin is promoted throughout the Education System
• Leads curriculum development to ensure that course content is inclusive of local history, treaty education, culture, and language
• Ensures that the curriculum is enriched to focus on indigenous history, culture, traditions, and language
• Maintains the conditions that foster respectful and responsible behaviour for each student and staff member
• Takes the necessary steps to provide for the safety and well-being of students while participating in school programs or being transported to or from school programs on transportation provided by M’Chigeeng First Nation

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Works with the Enaagdenjged, Finance Manager, Education Finance Clerk to ensure fiscal management of the educational system aligns with the funding model and applicable legislation
• Ensures that fiscal management aligns with the education system’s multi-year strategic directions
• Acts as a lead technician and supports the Enaagdenjged in relation to Chief and Council negotiations
• Researches opportunities for grants and other funding sources, develops and submits proposals

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

• Directly supervises Lakeview School Principal, Daycare Supervisor, High School Navigator, Post-Secondary Navigator, Office Manager, Education Administrative Assistant and Education Finance Clerk
• Ensures effective processes for supervision and performance reviews of all staff
• Participates in Recruitment and Selection processes for all Education Staff
• Works with the Enaagdenjged and Human Resources in planning staffing, hiring, and other HR functions
• Ensures attendance records, leaves, and personal files for all employees are maintained and secured
• Ensures ongoing capacity building and succession planning throughout the system
• Ensures compliance with Human Rights and labour relations legislation in collaboration with Human Resources
• Makes every effort to hire qualified and/or experienced Anishinabek people
• Provides orientation for new education staff

COMMUNICATIONS & COMMUNITY RELATIONS

• Establishes effective communication strategies
• Coordinates regular Education Advisory Group meetings and prepares agendas with the Enaagdenjged
• Keeps the school and MFN community informed of key monitoring reports, student and staff achievements, and education events
• Ensures open, transparent, and positive internal and external communications
• Ensures that School Councils, parent involvement groups, and other partners have opportunities to provide advice and support
• Establishes recognition programs to highlight student, staff, volunteer, and system successes
• Assists parents/guardians and community members as needed when they experience difficulties in the educational system

PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Participates in ongoing professional development
• Keeps abreast of current trends in education, including First Nations education and changes in legislation, curriculum, etc., and informs the Enaagdenjged, Education Advisory Group and Chief & Council as requested
• Participates in relevant meetings and external committees/boards as approved which will benefit the MFN educational system
• Practices leadership principles: nurturing holistic education, shared vision, continuous improvement, capacity building, recognizing achievements, and modeling the way

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree in education
• Principal 1 and 2 would be an asset
• Minimum five (5) years’ related experience leading First Nation services, program and/or policy development, and/or education and community development
• Life-long learner
• Proven successful educational leadership experience (school level or central administration)
• Excellent planning, administrative, organizational, project management and budget management skills
• Ability to plan strategically, initiate action, and achieve outcomes for multiple initiatives in political and culturally sensitive environments
• Ability to communicate sensitive and complex information to varied audiences
• Knowledge of current key issues in First Nations education

OTHER

• Contemporary knowledge of current key issues in First Nations education
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; visible, inclusive, collaborative leader with a track record of building relationships and partnerships
• Courageous, results-oriented, with integrity and energy to champion student success and contribute to an equitable and inclusive community
• Strong interest in education of First Nation children, youth and learners with genuine concern for well-being
• Strong knowledge of internal and external challenges (First Nation issues, government changes, labour market, education trends, funding changes)
• Knowledge or experience with the culture, history, and customs of the Anishinabek
• Fluency in Ojibwe is a strong asset or willingness to learn Anishinabemowin
• CRC/VSS requirement must be current (30 days); provide an original certificate

CRC/VSS Rationale: M’Chigeeng First Nation and its agents are in a position of trust in services to band member children and/or vulnerable adults, so a safe and secure working environment is mandatory. Applicants must provide a clear VSS Certificate, and the CRC must have a clear and/or dated record of any convictions relating to alcohol, drugs, assault, violence and theft. The CRC and VSS must be current (30 days) and must be an Original.

Application Due Date: September 19, 2025

Apply here

Director of Education
c/o Human Resources
[e-mail]
M’Chigeeng FN, P.O. Box 333
M’Chigeeng, ON P0P 1G0

INCOMPLETE applications will not be considered. Preference will be given to Anishinabek people.