INDIGENOUS HELPING TEACHER

1. DESCRIPTION OF DISTRICT LEVEL DELIVERY MODEL

The Helping Teachers will provide district leadership in the development and implementation of Curriculum, with a focus on the history of the Indigenous people in North America. The Helping Teacher, in consultation with the District Principal of Indigenous Education, will work with teachers, administrators, and other district personnel to provide support for Indigenous learners through:

a) maintaining a current knowledge base of learning theory and research for Indigenous learners, Ministry programs, curricula and resources;

b) working as a curriculum team member; focusing on Indigenous content and the needs of the Indigenous learner;

c) providing leadership with integrated curricular approaches; in particular how the historical treatment of Indigenous people impacts Indigenous learners today;

d) facilitating and providing district in-service and staff training development sessions that highlight promising practices which encourage success for Indigenous learners, for teachers and administrative officers;

e) chairing and coordinating appropriate committee meetings on Indigenous topics and issues;

f)  communicating with teachers, administrators, other district personnel, Ministry of Education officials and others regarding District and Provincial programs;

g) identifying appropriate Indigenous learning resources and facilitating the ordering of relevant learning resources for the District and schools; knowledge of the Indigenous Resource Centre and the promotion of Indigenous resources cross-curricular;

h) monitoring-program delivery and emergent needs of Indigenous learners.

2. MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

a) Bachelor of Education Degree or equivalent with minimum coursework in the area of the history of Indigenous Peoples in North America;

b) valid B.C. Teaching Certificate;

c) five years of school based teaching which includes a minimum of two years classroom experience in a school/district with a significant population of Indigenous learners;

d) participation in collaborative planning and facilitating of professional development activities related to Indigenous Education.

3. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

a) possession of, or working toward, a Master of Education Degree or equivalent and appropriate course work in the area of Indigenous education;

b) elementary and secondary teaching experience and an interest or experience in the area of Indigenous education;

c) in-depth knowledge  of programs and current issues related to Indigenous Education in delivery of service;

d) an awareness of the history of the local Indigenous community, including First Nation and Metis organizations and community support services.

4. REPORTING STRUCTURE

The personnel in this position are accountable in the execution of the assigned duties to the District Principal responsible for Indigenous Education and/or a Director of Instruction.

Revised October 24, 2023