District Principal of Aboriginal Education

School District No. 42 meets the learning needs of over 16,000 students of all ages in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, including 1,500 Indigenous students, and is defined by its determination to keep student learning and growth at the heart of all its decisions. With an annual budget of over $200M and over 2,800 staff, the school district provides K-12 educational services in 22 elementary schools, six secondary schools, and two alternate schools. It also provides a variety of certificate programs and relevant quality life-long learning opportunities through Ridge Meadows College and Continuing Education. For more information about our school district, visit www.sd42.ca.

The District Principal of Aboriginal Education provides visionary leadership to support and enhance inclusive, quality educational services for students of Indigenous ancestry in kindergarten to Grade 12. This position reports to the Deputy Superintendent and assumes district-wide leadership and managerial responsibilities to support the success of Indigenous students. This success includes improvements in student achievement, supporting student physical and mental well-being and belonging, increasing equity, continuing the journey of Truth and Reconciliation, and honoring Indigenous culture, language and traditions within our schools and communities.

The District Principal of Aboriginal Education provides leadership and management oversight to the department’s team through guidance and consultation on curriculum development and implementation, by supporting students of Indigenous ancestry, and by fostering understanding and implementation of the First Peoples Principles of Learning and associated curriculum. The departmental team includes a vice-principal, professional and paraprofessional itinerant staff, as well as clerical support staff.

Establishing meaningful connections and collaborating with local Indigenous groups including the Katzie First Nation, Kwantlen First Nation, Golden Ears Metis Society, Fraser River Indigenous Society, and Inuit stakeholders, as well as the families of Indigenous students, is a vital aspect of the District Principal of Aboriginal Education’s role. This collaboration aims to enhance understanding and support towards meeting the educational, social-emotional, and cultural needs of Indigenous students. The responsibilities of this position extend beyond departmental duties to include district-wide duties supporting learning for all students and staff, as guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan and the recommendations set out in the report Deepening Indigenous Education and Equity to Support the Wholistic Success of Indigenous Learners, Families and Communities in School District 42.

NOTE: School District No. 42 has been provided with approval from the Human Rights Tribunal for a Special Program under s. 42(3) of the Human Rights Code. Under this special program, we are able to provide preference to hiring qualified Indigenous applicants. Therefore, each applicant may wish to provide, on a voluntary basis, information whether they self-identify as an Indigenous person.

RESPONSIBILITIES
1. In consultation with senior team, provides district-wide leadership in the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission Calls to Action for Education, the school district’s Deepening Indigenous Education and Equity Scan recommendations, and the school district strategic plan and operational plans by collaborating with school principals and/
or district managers on initiatives that are specific to education or business/support services functions (Human Resources, IT, Finance, etc.).
2. Promotes and supports Indigenous student voice and agency across the district. Collaborates with Indigenous partner groups, stakeholders, district and school staff to maintain and further develop a vision of Aboriginal education that is aligned with the school district’s mission and vision, focusing on a commitment to all learners.
3. Provides leadership and guidance to the Aboriginal Education team and school administrators in the delivery and
implementation of Aboriginal education and inclusionary programming for students of Indigenous ancestry. Supports the
successful implementation of the Indigenous Focused Graduation Requirements as mandated by the Ministry of Education and Child Care; increasing literacy and graduation rates; facilitating students’ sense of belonging; and increasing scholarship and bursary opportunities.
4. Supports school administrators and school staff in addressing student needs. This work includes developing educational/social emotional supports for students; providing resources and specific supports; supporting students in crisis and helping to problem-solve complex issues; advocating on behalf of students; consulting/collaborating with parents/caregivers and/or MCFD as appropriate; bridging the community and school relationship with Knowledge Keepers and Elders; and attending school-based team and integrated case management meetings as needed.
5. Develops relationships with the Chief and Councils of the Katzie First Nation, Kwantlen First Nation, Golden Ears Metis Society, Fraser River Indigenous Society, and Inuit families, Elders, and parents/caregivers through dialogue and regularly scheduled meetings.
6. Co-constructs and reviews the Local Enhancement Agreement (LEA) with Indigenous partners, school and district staff and the Board of Education.
7. Consults with district and school staff, parents/caregivers and internal and external stakeholders on Ministry of Education and Child Care and/or school district policies and procedures; funding and audit requirements; Aboriginal education issues; First Peoples Principles of Learning; and the Aboriginal education content in the curriculum.
8. Develops and implements initiatives that encourage the participation of Indigenous families in their children’s education,
including family events, celebrations and cultural events. Promotes a welcoming and inclusive environment for all families, with a particular focus on Indigenous families.
9. Leads the Aboriginal Education team in developing and offering professional development opportunities. Leads and supports various district learning opportunities and events including the Indigenous Ways of Knowing series.
10. Oversees the Aboriginal Education department, developing and maintaining systems and procedures that facilitate the effective running of the department, including Aboriginal Information Management System (AIMS), budgeting (within the Ministry targeted funding requirements), recruitment, determining support levels, and organizing training and supports as needed.
11. Leads, supervises and manages the Aboriginal Education department’s professional and para-professional staff, including the hiring of staff; the assignment of staff to district schools; performance and attendance management; handling discipline matters with HR support; and participating in grievance meetings.
12. Oversees and ensures accuracy of the Ministry 1701 count relating to students who identify as having Aboriginal ancestry; likely to be identified in this category.

13. Manages district and trust fund budgets related to input from students of Indigenous ancestry and the Departmental Growth Plan, and recommendations of the SD42 Deepening Indigenous Education and Equity research report. Reports as required to the Board of Education, the school district and/or the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
14. Facilitates the Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee and Elders groups, including the development of agendas, sharing of minutes, development of presentations, and organizing venues.
15. Organizes events for students, families, and staff including the Aboriginal Education awards; Leadership and transition activities, preschool and school family events; Cultural Learning for schools, and field trips to post-secondary opportunities.
16. Participates in and works collaboratively with district committees and attends district meetings as appropriate.
17. Actively participates in relevant ministry and provincial committees, meetings and conferences in order to maintain up-to-date understanding of current issues in Aboriginal Education, policies, practices, and current pedagogy.
18. Performs other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
1. A master’s degree in educational leadership with course work in Aboriginal education. Additional course work in literacy,
education of students with diverse abilities, formative assessment, trauma informed practice would be desirable.
2. Indigenous ancestry preferred as authorized from the BC Human Rights Tribunal’s Special Program s.42(3) of the Human
Rights Code.

3. Demonstrated verifiable connections and ties to Indigenous community.
4. Proven successful administration and leadership experience at the school and/or district level.
5. Member in good standing, or eligibility for membership, with the British Columbia Teacher Certification Branch.
6. Working knowledge of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIP), Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPPA), and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit (MMIWG2S), and Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action for Education.
7. A clear understanding of the BC school governance model and how it influences district and school decision-making.
8. A thorough understanding of redesigned curriculum framework and current assessment practices.
9. Passion and strong advocacy for all students and public education.
10. Ability to cultivate respectful and collaborative working relationships with staff across all organizational levels, including with union officials and representatives from external agencies.
11. Ability to gain the confidence of and build trust with stakeholders and community members who may not have had positive experiences with educational institutions.
12. Excellent conflict resolution, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
13. Proven skill and demonstrated experience in collaborative leadership, leading and managing staff, fostering teamwork, and maintaining positive working relationships with diverse groups and stakeholders within a unionized environment.
14. Proven analytical, organizational, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
15. Ability to effectively handle a wide range of competing tasks and priorities with a demonstrated commitment to excellent
service delivery to all students.
16. Solid understanding of Ministry of Education and Child Care and school district policies and procedures.
17. Strong experience in effectively facilitating meetings with a focus on proactive problem solving, collaborative planning, and meaningful consultation with families.
18. Demonstrated ability to strategically plan and multitask.

19. Outstanding verbal and written communications skills are critical, including the ability to break down complex concepts and present them in a consistent, engaging, and understandable manner to a variety of partners.

COMPENSATION
The salary range for this position is $153,670-161,904, plus an excellent comprehensive benefits package.

TO APPLY
To apply, please send your cover letter and resume by 10 a.m. on November 20, 2023. Please email your completed application file in PDF format, to the attention of Director of Human Resources, by emailing dionne_macdonald@sd42.ca. A return email confirming receipt of applications will be provided. By application, candidates give permission to the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District to contact any references or any past or present employers named in the application. References will only be conducted following interviews of shortlisted candidates. Under authorization by the Human Rights Commission of BC, hiring preference may be given to qualified applicants of Indigenous ancestry, therefore, applicants of Indigenous ancestry may voluntarily indicate their ancestry in their application package.