Indigenous Supports Advisor

District School Board of Niagara; St. Catharines; On-site; CAD 79,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

District School Board of Niagara invites applications for an Indigenous Supports Advisor (K-8) with a language focus. The role emphasizes promoting Kanien’kéha (Mohawk) or Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) and culture in elementary schools to strengthen Indigenous students’ identity and belonging.

Collaboration with staff, families, and the Indigenous Education Wellness team is essential. The ISA-L will support attendance, engagement, and success while developing social-emotional and self-regulation

Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Studies, Child and Youth Work, Social Service Work, Child Development, or a related field, preferably with Indigenous knowledge.
• Oral and written proficiency in Kanien'kéha or Anishinaabemowin is required.
• Knowledge of Indigenous culture and culturally responsive approaches to supporting children and families.
• Experience supporting Indigenous students’ engagement, attendance, well-being and success.

Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate Mohawk and Ojibway language learning for elementary students.
• Support Indigenous students in strengthening cultural identity and sense of belonging at school.
• Collaborate with school staff to support student engagement and attendance.
• Provide individual and small-group support for social-emotional and self-regulation skills.
• Develop language and cultural learning experiences for elementary students.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Cultural responsiveness

Education

Diploma or degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Mohawk language proficiency (Kanien’kéha)

Anishinaabemowin proficiency

Knowledge of Indigenous communities and cultures

Experience with Indigenous student engagement and well-being

Job description

District School Board of Niagara

Invites applications for the following position:

Indigenous Supports Advisor ( K- 8 ) - Language Focus

Land Acknowledgement

The land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum agreement. Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples acknowledging this reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous people.

Working at the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) means being part of a supportive, innovative community that works towards doing what is best for students, and helping every individual achieve success. We proudly serve over 42,000 students across almost 100 elementary and secondary schools in Niagara, located between Lake Erie in the South and Lake Ontario to the North.

As part of our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation through education, the District School Board of Niagara is dedicated to improving educational outcomes for Indigenous students within our system. Understanding that to do this effectively we must hire individuals who are also committed to this ideal, carry knowledge and lived experience that will impact, strengthen, and lead them in their work with Indigenous students and families, within our schools.

Reporting to the Student Achievement Leader of Indigenous Student Well-Being (K-12) and Superintendent, the Indigenous Supports Advisor – Language Focus (ISA-L) will ensure the emotional well-being of Indigenous students and their families within our Board by supporting the teaching and promotion of Kanien'kéha (Mohawk language) or Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway language) and culture in elementary schools, helping to strengthen Indigenous students' sense of identity, belonging, and connection. This includes working collaboratively with school staff, students, and families to support student engagement, attendance, and success, while helping students develop the social-emotional and self-regulation skills needed to build positive relationships and fully participate in school life. The ISA-L will also support the Indigenous Good Dish Summer program, including program development and promotion in schools.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Studies, Child and Youth Work, Social Service Work, Child Development, or a related field, preferably with a focus on or demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous communities; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Oral and written proficiency in Kanien'kéha (Mohawk language) or Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway language) is required.
• Knowledge of Indigenous culture, Indigenous ways of knowing, and culturally responsive approaches to supporting children and families is required.
• Experience supporting student engagement, attendance, well-being, and success in school settings.
• Knowledge of child development, social-emotional learning, and self-regulation strategies for elementary-aged students.
• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to facilitate individual and small-group supports for students.
• Ability to plan and deliver engaging language and cultural learning experiences for elementary students.
• Preference will be given to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples with lived experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and facilitate Kanien'kéha (Mohawk language) Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway language) for elementary students.
• Support Indigenous students in strengthening their cultural identity, sense of belonging, and connection to school through language, culture, and relationship based approaches.
• Work directly with self-identified Indigenous students to strengthen engagement, attendance, participation, and success in school by supporting the development of social-emotional, communication, self-regulation, and personal management skills.
• Collaborate with school staff to identify and implement strategies that support student well-being, engagement, and successful participation in learning.
• Provide individual and small-group support to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioural, or self-regulation challenges.
• Support students during key transitions and periods of increased need, helping them remain connected to school and learning.
• Develop positive relationships with students and families and support ongoing communication between home and school.
• Work collaboratively with the Indigenous Education Wellness team to develop pro-active strategies and programs aimed at enhancing Indigenous student success.
• Promote approaches to Indigenous student success that centre Indigenous student well-being.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Student Achievement Leader of Indigenous Student Well-Being (K-12) and Superintendent.

POSITION DETAILS

Salary range: $79,030 - $92,378 and includes a comprehensive benefit planthrough a provincial benefits trust plan (extended health, dental, life insurance, AD&D), and enrolment in the OMERS pension plan.This is apermanentfull-time,12-month, 35 hour per week position and is part of the Board’s union-exempt Administrative Management Group.

Reason for Posting: New Position

Additional Information

The District School Board of Niagara is committed to equity and inclusion in the recruitment and hiring of its employees, who reflect the diversity of our community and students we serve. We encourage and welcome submissions from candidates from diverse backgrounds to build a supportive and inclusive workplace. DSBN welcomes applications from: Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, women, persons with visible and non-visible disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. The DSBN is committed to "Redefining Excellence" and recognizes that increasing the diversity of its workforce supports this objective.

DSBN will provide interview and employment accommodations during the selection process, based on any of the human rights protected grounds. Please notify us in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs. Applicants are thanked for making known their interest in working for the District School Board of Niagara. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Personal information on this form is collected, used, and disclosed in accordance with the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.2, as amended and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. R.S.O 1990, c.M. 56, as amended and will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility of the above-noted position and any similar or related purpose(s). Questions about this collection, use and disclosure should be directed to the Freedom of Information Coordinator, District School Board of Niagara, 191 Carlton Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7P4 905-641-1550.