Graduation Coach Indigenous Youth

Position Summary

Graduation Coach for Indigenous Youth – Permanent, Full-Time (10 months)

Employment Status:
Permanent, Full-Time (10 months)

Work Hours

Schedule:

35 hours per week

Location:

Serving Sarnia-Lambton & Chatham-Kent Schools

Annual Salary Range: $63,947.67 – $79,589.17

Start Date:

August 31, 2026

The Ministry of Education is committed to supporting targeted projects, initiatives and programs to improve the outcomes of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. The SCCDSB Board Action Plan on Indigenous Education targets resources and supports to enhance the engagement, learning, performance, and well‑being of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students.

• Assist students with the successful transition from elementary school into secondary school or from secondary school into post‑secondary education, training, or labour market opportunities.
• Develop “wholistic” individualized student success plans that take into account a student’s mental health, cultural identity and overall wellbeing.
• Collaborate with administrators, teachers, parents, guardians, and families to respond to individual and system barriers that affect engagement, well‑being, and learning of Indigenous students.
• Act as a mentor and an advisor to students, and play an essential role as an advocate for each learner with teachers, school staff, parents, guardians, families, and community members to support the learning of underserved students.
• Create additional opportunities for students to be engaged during breaks in regular programming (i.e., long weekends, extended breaks, etc.).
• Complete a needs assessment to identify barriers to student success and work collaboratively on strategies to remove them.
• Create space for students to voice their experiences to enable the SCCDSB and schools to establish trusting relationships and responsive services.
• Work with the Indigenous Education team and school staff(s) to create a long‑term vision/plan to help students obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
• Engage Indigenous students by affirming their identity and culture through culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy.
• Conduct individual sessions with students and monitor progress and performance in collaboration with school staff and the Indigenous Education team.
• Ensure students receive the resources and services needed to guide them on the path to graduation.
• Attend and participate in meetings as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Education.

• Post secondary degree or diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Indigenous Studies, First Nations Family Support/Community Worker programs with two years experience in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience as determined by the Board, required.
• Comprehensive first‑hand life experience and knowledge deeply rooted in local Indigenous communities, combined with a deep understanding of systemic barriers and challenges that Indigenous students face in the education system and in the wider community.
• Working knowledge of appropriate strategies for reducing behaviours that put Indigenous students at risk of not graduating from secondary school.
• Demonstrated understanding of anti‑Indigenous racism.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to mentor and act as an advisor to Indigenous students; supporting with Indigenous culture, perspectives, language, and ceremonies.
• Understanding of the services available in the community to support Indigenous students at risk of not participating in or graduating from school.
• Awareness of the diversity and composition of Indigenous communities as well as local community resources, including local Indigenous community organizations.
• Ability to analyze, develop, implement, and track intervention plans and strategies.
• Knowledge of the principles of Human Rights and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• Familiarity with SCCDSB policies, procedures, and protocols, the Education Act, the Human Rights Code, and other relevant legislation.
• Experience working with secondary students.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of an interdisciplinary team, including teachers, principals, support staff, and community agency personnel.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

The St. Clair Catholic District School Board is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier‑free recruitment and selection processes and a work environment. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

The St. Clair Catholic District School Board is an equal‑opportunity employer.