Indigenous Graduation Coach

Indigenous Graduation Coach

We educate 9,400 students in 28 schools and are the third largest employer in Renfrew County.  At the Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB), we celebrate the unique contributions of each individual. We cultivate an environment that values imagination and innovation. We guide and support our students as they consider the evolving opportunities of the 21st century and discover their own pathways to success.  As a member of the RCDSB team, you will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment.

We are recruiting for an Indigenous Graduation Coach. This is a full-time position with a start date of August 25, 2025.

An Indigenous Graduation Coach works harmoniously with traditional cultural values and encourages students through the promotion of positive relationships and identity development. The Indigenous Graduation Coach will support First Nations, Métis and Inuit students and help them flourish alongside a dynamic team of educators.

Responsibilities:

• Building positive relationships with Indigenous students, their families and the Indigenous community
• Affirming the identities and cultures of Indigenous students
• Organizing and facilitating leadership development for students that is culturally relevant
• Creating space for students to voice their experiences to enable the RCDSB and secondary schools to establish trusting relationships and responsive services
• Acting as a mentor and an advisor and playing an essential role as an advocate for each learner with teachers, other school staff and families
• Working with a range of stakeholders, including school staff, parents, guardians, families and community members, to support learning of Indigenous students, and to help engage with culturally responsive approaches to the engagement of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students
• Collaborating with the Indigenous education lead in efforts to build capacity in understanding and serving the needs of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students
• Working with community and school staff to assist in establishing safety plans during breaks in regular programming for participating students
• Supporting Indigenous students at points of transition (i.e., from grade 8 to high school; from high school to chosen post-secondary pathway)
• Building and maintaining information on each individual student, utilizing the secondary school’s education software resource throughout the year to track and monitor academic achievement and well-being
• Compiling data and preparing reports on the progress of the graduation coach as required by the ministry and/or the district

• Extensive, deeply rooted experience in local Indigenous communities
• Knowledge of Indigenous traditional teachings, perspectives, values and history
• An awareness of local Indigenous community resources
• Demonstrated ability to connect students and families to resources within the education system and in the community
• Experience working with youth in an advocacy, supportive or mentorship role preferred, and ties to educational training and/or support are assets
• Ability to identify student-specific barriers to graduation, strategize to help a student overcome these barriers, work with the school to create measurable student-specific activities to support successful graduation from high school
• Ability to work flexible hours to serve the students in the community
• Identification as First Nation, Métis or Inuit is an asset
• Travel within the district is required. Occasional travel within the province may be required. Valid G class driver’s license and access to reliable transportation are required.

Closing: June 13, 2025 at 12:00pm

Hiring will follow the requirements outlined in RCDSB’s administrative procedures. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. All other applicants are thanked for their interest. All offers of employment are conditional upon receipt of a current vulnerable sector screening and educational qualifications acceptable to the district.

The RCDSB is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive workplace. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Applicants requiring a code-protected accommodation are encouraged to advise human resources (hrdept@rcdsb.on.ca) throughout any stage of the recruitment process. The Renfrew County District School Board is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in our employment practices.

Website: www.rcdsb.on.ca