Connected North School Lead & Indigenous Student Engagement Coordinator

TakingITGlobal (TIG) is seeking a Connected North School Lead & Indigenous Student Engagement Coordinator. This full-time opportunity offered with an initial one year contract is perfect for someone who is an effective communicator, creative problem-solver, well organized, experienced with facilitation and passionate about Indigenous education.

The Connected North program is delivered by TakingITGlobal, utilizing video conferencing technologies to bridge time and distance for students and teachers living in remote northern communities. The program works to change conditions of learning in a way that supports teachers' professional growth, and drives student engagement and well-being.

The program consists of three core components:

• Virtual Experts & Field Trips: Live interactive sessions connecting students, guest speakers, and partners to enhance student outcomes and engagement. Content will include curriculum-linked subject matter, cultural exchanges, mentorship through role models and exploration of future pathways.
• Cultural Exchanges: Classroom to classroom sessions on curriculum-linked or cultural sharing group projects and activities.
• Teacher Capacity Building: Professional learning and mentoring sessions on effective use of video conferencing technology and other professional development topics as determined by the interest of the staff.

The content and process are guided by the following Program Principles:

• Relationship Building: Building trust with students, educators and communities by demonstrating respect, humility and transparency in all that we do.
• Empowerment Through Role Models: Connecting students with First Nations, Métis, Inuit and non-Indigenous role models to inspire hope and future pathways.
• Locally Relevant Content: Valuing the role of culture in learning by integrating Indigenous knowledges and perspectives whenever possible.
• Thinking Beyond the Classroom: Understanding that students' experiences within the classroom cannot be disconnected from their realities outside of the classroom including historical and social contexts.
• Adapting Expectations: Working with the unique strengths, challenges and learning goals for each school and letting them guide what success looks like.
• Incorporating a Diversity of Voices: Welcoming input from a range of sources on how we can best support participating students and educators.

Roles and Responsibilities:

As a Connected North School Lead, you will liaise daily with your partner schools, working with educators to understand curriculum needs and student interests, and coordinate interactive Connected North sessions to drive student engagement. Specific responsibilities include:

School Program Lead

• Day-to-day program leadership for up to 10 participating Connected North schools, aiming for the delivery of at least 1 session per week per school based on school needs and requests
• Support onboarding and relationship building with new schools
• Understand needs and interests of teachers and students while helping to provide linkages between guest experts and curriculum objectives
• Identify and invite relevant guest speakers drawing on the extensive network of partners
• Hosting regular dynamic and interactive video conferencing sessions that encourage active participation and engagement among students

Reporting & Communications

• Daily updating of tracking sheets with information about sessions booked and delivered, ensuring timely follow-up to ensure honorariums are provided to session providers
• Prepare ongoing status updates to be shared with school Administrators and program supporters on themes related to sessions and well-being outcomes for students and teachers
• Contribute to reporting to reflect overall activity, learning outcomes, insights and recommendations for the future
• Preparing learning activities and lesson plans in alignment with curriculum objectives and in response to interests identified by participating educators and students

Content Provider Outreach

• Outreach and relationship building with potential guest session facilitators including a focus on Indigenous role models as needed to meet interests and deliver on requests from schools.
• Priority for expansion to include post-secondary virtual field trips and organizing interviews as part of the Future Pathways component to support student in transition after high school
• Support content providers & school lead coordinators with customizing content for sessions according to the unique strengths, challenges & learning goals of each classroom.
• Communication with content providers about program objectives, approach and process for being selected to run a session.
• Testing with content providers to evaluate requirements needed to deliver sessions.
• Representation of the program team at conferences and special events

Education & Experience:

• Post-secondary Education degree combined with in-class teaching experience
• Involvement and collaboration experience with Indigenous communities
• Participation in Indigenous-led learning opportunities
• Experience with interactive approaches to facilitating group activities (in-person & online)
• Leadership experience with examples of projects developed from idea to implementation
• Experience volunteering and/or working in the non-profit sector

Skills & Attributes:

• Awareness of the history of colonization in Canada and the harmful impacts on Indigenous communities, including the history of Residential Schools.
• Awareness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and ability to understand and reflect on approaches to supporting the 94 Calls to Action outlined within the final report
• Interest in social change, youth development and the mission and vision of TakingITGlobal
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively with people across multiple time zones
• Understanding of how to approach meeting curriculum expectations across various Provinces and Territories in Canada while also respecting Indigenous knowledges, languages, cultures and worldviews as integral to learning experiences for students
• Excellent written communication and editing skills (writing sample required)
• Cross-Cultural sensitivity, strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Ability to solve problems under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances
• Strong interest in learning new technologies and troubleshooting when things do not go according to plan
• Expertise in navigating multiple software programs and competence in utilizing multimedia and virtual programming for educational purposes
• Effective time management, organizational and administrative skills with understanding of how to use e-mail inbox features to assist with responding to high volume of requests
• Ability to communicate in Inuktitut considered a strong asset given the number of schools we work with based in Nunavut

Application Process:

Application screening will be conducted on an ongoing basis. In addition to providing your resume, you will be asked to submit reflections on the following questions:

• What is your connection to Indigenous communities, organizations and people?
• How might you see yourself carry out the responsibilities of this role to help advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action?
• As an educator, how have you utilized digital technologies to facilitate learning opportunities for others?
• How do you think the role you are applying for impacts the future of educational opportunities for First Nations, Métis or Inuit students in K-12 schools today?

Please apply at the following link: https://secure.collage.co/jobs/takingitglobal/23768

Given the nature of the position, priority will be given to applicants who self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.

We thank all that apply though with a small team, we are only able to contact qualified candidates who are selected for an interview. TakingITGlobal is an equal opportunity employer and strongly supports applications from diverse backgrounds and communities.

Start Date: August 2021

Duration: 1 year full-time with the possibility of renewal based on program funding renewals

Location: Work from home at your residence anywhere in Canada. Access to high speed Internet is required, and we provide a monthly subsidy towards communication costs.

Compensation: Salary offered will factor in educator salaries for a similar location and experience along with program budget considerations. We provide medical & dental benefits, Group RRSP matching plan, and 19 vacation/personal days.

Appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request throughout the hiring process as required under the TakingITGlobal AODA Employment Standard policy and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require an accommodation please contact us at access@takingitglobal.org.

About TakingITGlobal

TakingITGlobal (TIG) designs and delivers youth engagement programs leveraging the power of community, technology and creativity. Learn more: https://www.tigweb.org/about/