The Peel District School Board (PDSB) is a racially, culturally and linguistically diverse board that serves approximately 148,000 students and 17,000+ employees. In PDSB, 87% of students are racialized, non-white, representing 162 different ethnic backgrounds. Students in Peel have 121 different first languages. Student diversity also exists in terms of gender and gender expression, sexuality and in terms of ability and faith. A responsive and empathetic understanding of the lived experiences of the students and communities we serve is vital to those who will take on leadership roles within the PDSB. The workforce consists of teachers, office staff, custodial staff, education assistants and professional staff. The workforce is largely unionized through PDSB’s numerous affiliated bargaining agents.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Acting Coordinating Principal – Land Based Initiatives and the Superintendent of Equity, Indigenous Education, School Engagement and Community Relations, the successful candidate will work with the Indigenous Education Team as well as Peel Region communities to support the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commision’s Calls to Action and The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The successful candidate will support the use of equity and inclusive education strategies such as Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in the planning and implementation of programming at the Maawnjiding Wiingushkeng Centre for Indigenous Excellence and Land Based Learning and the PDSB Field Centres.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commision’s Calls to Action will guide the leadership of the Land-Based Learning Lead and support the engagement of students and community in upholding Indigenous Rights and affirming First Nation, Métis and Inuit identities. Thus, this role requires that the successful candidate has a deep understanding of the key issues affecting the various First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities and rights holders in the Peel District School Board.

Assuming a community-referenced approach to co-creating and implementing programming and resource development to assist and enable students in the Peel District School Board to uphold Treaty obligations, will be a key function of the role.

Key Responsibilities

• Working with the Indigenous Education Team to support the implementation of the Ministerial Directives, The Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action #62 and #63 and the Board Action Plan for Indigenous Education
• Supporting the goals of the Equity Department with a specific focus on Indigenous student success, self-knowledge, and community for First Nation, Métis and Inuit students; and on the integration of anti-colonial education for non-Indigenous students by addressing the ongoing implementation needs of the Families of Schools, school administrators and teachers to build the capacity of the district to effectively serve the diverse needs of First Nation, Metis and Inuit students and school communities
• Setting direction and collaborating with Resource Teachers of the Indigenous Education Team team to co-develop programming at the Maawnjidiing Wiingushkeng Centre for Indigenous Excellence and Land Based learning and PDSB Field Centres and the implementation of the Board Action Plan for Indigenous Education
• Facilitating experiential learning opportunities for First Nation, Métis and Inuit students and accommodate their learning and well-being needs
• Facilitating experiential learning opportunities for all Peel District School Board Students in Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being
• Facilitating the co-design, development and delivery of programming based on anti-racist, anti-colonial and anti-oppression principles at the Maawnjiding Wiingushkeng Centre for Indigenous Excellence and Land-Based Learning and the PDSB Field Centres
• Working with community partners to develop opportunities that are reflective of and affirm the intersectionality of First Nation, Metis and Inuit identities
• Collaborating with the Instructional Coaches – Indigenous Education to initiate opportunities to co-plan and co-facilitate professional learning opportunities at both the school and central level that are aligned with Peel District School Board priorities, reflect evidence-based improvement strategies and are responsive to the unique implementation needs across Field Offices, within Families of Schools with an emphasis on Education for Reconciliation and Upholding Indigenous Rights
• Working with students to organize and implement initiatives and events that affirm the identities of Indigenous students within the school context as well as work with student groups to address the concerns and challenges that they experience as a result of their social identities
• Collaborating with other central departments, Superintendents of Education, Ministry personnel, parent, and community groups in their efforts to improve educational outcomes and experiences for First Nation, Metis and Inuit students
• Engaging with provincial organizations and associations, and partner boards to promote partnerships that will enhance the level of curriculum support available to Peel staff with a focus on inclusive education practices that normalize Human Rights and equity, anti-racism, the disruption of anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism and Indigenous Erasure
• Partnering with community groups and community agencies to provide culturally responsive and relevant services and supports for First Nation, Metis and Inuit students and families
• Attend and present to the Indigenous Education Council (IEC)
• Actively participate in evening and weekend activities developed by the Indigenous Education staff, and by community partners
• Carrying out any other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Theoretical and practical knowledge as well as a lived experience and commitment to land-based educational practices
• Experience leading the work of Indigenous Education and implementation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems into practice
• A comprehensive understanding of educational policies, curriculum implementation, curriculum research and education trends/issues
• Demonstrated experience in leading and establishing a shared understanding of equity, anti-racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Black racism, anti-oppression issues
• Demonstrated experience facilitating community-based initiatives that support PDSB’s priorities to address anti-racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Black racism, anti-homophobia
• Working knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code, specific to the prohibited grounds of discrimination
• Working knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, Ontario’s Indigenous Education Policy Framework and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Additional Notes

Preference will be given to qualified members of the Administrative Staff Group (ASG).

NOTE: This is a term contract position, renewable based upon satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Careers with the Peel District School Board

Commitment to Equity, Anti-Oppression and Anti-Racism

The Peel District School Board is committed to equity in employment. We are committed to equitable hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the full diversity of the Region of Peel. We will provide reasonable accommodation (e.g. an accessible location, rescheduling of interviews that fall on Days of Significance etc.) based on any of the human rights protected grounds, during the hiring process if advised in advance. We are also committed to inclusion, anti-oppression and anti-racist practices while also supporting the continuous growth and development of an equitable and empowered education system at the PDSB.

Criminal Background Check

Successful candidates must provide a satisfactory Criminal Background Check prior to commencing employment. Please review the requirements for the Criminal Background Check.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants, but will only be contacting candidates whose skills, experience and qualifications best meet the requirements of the position. All communication to applicants regarding this job posting, including an invitation to complete skills assessments and/or a job interview if applicable, will be made through email. Candidates are encouraged to regularly check their email as listed on their TalentLink account.

Land Acknowledgement

The land upon which we work, live and sustain ourselves is the ancestral and treaty lands of the Miichizaagiig Anishinaabek also known today as the Mississaugas of the Credit, the rightful caretakers and title holders of this land. We also recognize the rich pre-contact history and relationships which include the Anishinaabek and the Onkwehonwe. Since European Contact, this land continues to be home to Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. As responsible community members, we value the diversity, dignity and worth of all people. Colonialism displaced and dispossessed Indigenous peoples of their ancestral lands and continues to deny their basic human rights, dignities and freedoms. We are committed to learning true history to reconcile, make reparations and fulfill our treaty obligations to the Original Peoples and our collective responsibilities to the land, water, animals, and each other for future generations.

Discover why you should consider a career with us!