Director of Education
Department: Education
Classification & Level: Senior Management - Education
Position Status: Full-Time Regular
POSITION SUMMARY:
This position requires a person who has worked with First Nations and is aware of First Nations issues. He/she holds complex and diversified responsibilities to carry out initiatives, develop, organize, plan, and direct operations and activities of the M’Chigeeng First Nation educational system. The Director will be a visionary who is a well-respected educational leader with a proven record. He/she is results-oriented, and can strategically foster growth, development, and opportunities for band membership and members of the M’Chigeeng educational system. He/she will build strong relationships to develop a ‘system’; and will work in collaboration with Chief & Council, the Education Staff, the M’Chigeeng community, external affiliates, and government officials.
The Director of Education will be responsible for the total organization, management, and administration of the M’Chigeeng educational system. The Director of Education reports to the Enaagdenjged.
AREAS OF THE DIRECTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY
SYSTEM LEADERSHIP & PLANNING
- Demonstrates positive and proactive system leadership
- Organizes/facilitates a review of the education system’s mission and vision and values, inclusive of education department and community consultation,
- Develops, through the visioning process, a “systems” identity (i.e., culture, language, etc.)
- Reviews recommendations from Education Evaluations and develops an implementation plan complete with monitoring of outcomes
- Supports leadership in advocating for M’Chigeeng’s own control of education
- Preparation for the development of a M’Chigeeng Board of Education and work closely with the Enaagdenjged
- Develops appropriate education policies, procedures to support the Education System in M’Chigeeng First Nation
- Provides leadership in the planning and development of policies within the Education Department
- Provides leadership and accountability for the implementation and review of policies and administrative procedures within the Education System
- Provides leadership for the development and annual review of the Education System’s multi-year strategic directions (“System Growth Plan”)
- Ensures that the multi-year strategic directions and priorities identify specific measures and resources that will be applied, specifically with regard to the education system’s responsibility for student achievement
- Ensures appropriate involvement in system planning (i.e., approval of process and timelines, establishment of priorities and expected outcomes)
- Reports regularly on implementation and results achieved in relation to the multi-year strategic directions and improvement plans
- Provides a Director’s Annual Report and other necessary reports as requested by the Enaagdenjged.
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
- Provides advice, leadership and recommendations not limited to the Enaagdenjged, Committees and Chief and Council to on all educational matters
- Demonstrates a positive relationship with all staff, band membership and external partners
Participate in external working groups i.e.) FNWSC, COO, Anishinabek Nation etc.
- Collaborates with elementary, secondary, and post-secondary counsellors in the delivery of services to promote and encourage community members to attain higher education
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & WELL-BEING
- Takes the necessary steps to provide a safe, caring learning environment
- Provides advice and leadership in setting goals for student achievement and well-being, and in promoting the vision of inspiring success for all students in collaboration with the Daycare Supervisor, Lakeview School Principal, High School Navigator and Post-Secondary Navigator.
- Ensures that all M’Chigeeng students have the opportunity to meet the standards of education set out in the Strategic Plan (“System Growth Plan”).
- Ensures that a variety of methods to assess academic achievement (i.e. EQAO, portfolios, rubrics, conferences, etc.) are employed
- Ensures that there is an up-to-date and thorough student data system (i.e. student achievement, attendance, suspensions for MFN students from daycare through to secondary)
- Monitors and evaluates the student data on a regular basis and takes necessary intervention measures in collaboration with the respective lead
- Ensures that Anishinabemowin is promoted throughout the Education System
- Leadership in curriculum development to ensure that course content is inclusive of local history, treaty education, culture, and language.
- Ensures that the curriculum is enriched to focus on indigenous history, culture, traditions, and language
- Maintains the conditions that foster respectful and responsible behaviour for each student and staff member
- Takes the necessary steps to provide for the safety and well-being of students while participating in school programs or being transported to or from school programs on transportation provided by M’Chigeeng First Nation
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
- Works in conjunction with the Enaagdenjged, Finance Manager, Education Finance Clerk to ensure that the fiscal management of the educational system is in accordance with the funding model, and other applicable legislation
- Ensures that the fiscal management of the system is in alignment with the education system’s multi-year strategic directions
- Acts as a lead technician and support collaboratively with the Enaagdenjged in relation to the Chief and Council negotiations between parties.
- Research opportunities for grants and other funding sources, develops and submit proposals
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
- Immediate Supervisor of Lakeview School Principal, Daycare Supervisor, High School Navigator, Post-Secondary Navigator, Office Manager, Education Administrative Assistant and Education Finance Clerk.
- Ensures effective processes are in place of the supervision, and performance reviews of all staff
- Participates in Recruitment and Selection processes for all Education Staff
- Works in collaboration with the Enaagdenjged and Human Resources in the short- and long-range planning of staffing requirements, hiring, and other human resources’ functions related to the education system
- Ensure internal procedures for attendance records, all leaves, and personal files for all employees (as well as important documents related to education) are maintained and secured in a locked cabinet in the Administration Office
- Ensures effective processes are in place for ongoing capacity building and succession planning throughout the system
- Ensures compliance with Human Rights and labour relations legislation in collaboration with Human Resources
- Makes every effort to hire qualified and/or experienced Anishinabek people
- Provides and facilitates orientation for new education staff
COMMUNICATIONS & COMMUNITY RELATIONS
- Establishes effective communication strategies
- Coordinates regular Education Advisory Group meetings and prepares agendas with the Enaagdenjged
- Keeps the school and larger MFN community informed of key monitoring reports, student and staff achievements, education events etc.
- Ensures open, transparent, and positive internal and external communications are in place
- Ensures that School Councils, parent involvement groups, and other partners have the opportunity to provide appropriate advice and support
- Establishes effective recognition programs and strategies to ensure that the internal and external audiences are aware of student, staff, volunteer, and system successes
- Assists parents/guardian and community members, as necessary, when they experience difficulties in the educational system
PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Participates in ongoing professional development.
- Keeps abreast of current trends in education, i.e. First Nations education, changes in legislation, curriculum, etc., and informs the Enaagdenjged, Education Advisory Group and Chief & Council (if requested to do so by the Enaagdenjged).
- Participates in relevant meetings (i.e., Director of Education regional meetings) and serves on external committees/boards as approved by Enaagdenjged and/or Chief and Council where applicable which will benefit the MFN educational system.
- Practices the following exemplary principles of leadership:
- Incorporates and implements a nurturing holistic educational system
- Develops and articulates a shared vision
- Challenges the status quo (continuous improvement)
- Empowers others (capacity building)
- Encourages the heart (recognizes and affirms wherever and whenever authentically possible)
- Models the way (is a role model)
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
- Master’s degree in education
- Principal 1 and 2 would be an asset
- A minimum of five (5) years’ related work experience, which includes leading First Nation services, program and/or policy development, and/or education and community development
- Life-long learner
- Proven successful educational leadership experience (either at the school level or central administration)
- Excellent planning, administrative, organizational, project management and budget management skills
- Ability to plan strategically, initiate action and achieve desired outcomes for multiple initiatives in both political as well as culturally sensitive environments\
- Ability to communicate sensitive and complex information to a wide variety of audiences
- Knowledge of current key issues in First Nations education
OTHER
- Have contemporary knowledge of current key issues in First Nations education.
- Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills – be a visible, inclusive, and collaborative leader with a demonstrated track record of success, building effective relationships and partnerships at all levels of the organization, as well as with key education, community, provincial and federal partners
- Be courageous, results-oriented, have integrity and energy to champion student success and contribute to building an equitable and inclusive community together
- Strong interest in the education of First Nation children, youth and learners coupled with a sincere concern for their well-being
- Strong knowledge of internal and external challenges (First Nation issues, government changes, labour market, education trends, funding changes, etc.)
- Must have knowledge and/or experience with the culture, history, and customs of the Anishinabek
- Fluency of the Ojibwe language is a strong asset or must have a willingness to learn Anishinabemowin
- CRC/VSS requirement must be thirty (30) days current, original or certified copy
CRC/VSS Rationale: M’Chigeeng First Nation and its agents are in a position of trust in services to band member children and/or vulnerable adults, so a safe and secure working environment is mandatory. Applicants must provide a clear VSS Certificate, and the CRC must have a record clear and/or dated of any convictions relating to alcohol, drugs, assault, violence and theft. The CRC and VSS must be current (30 days) and must be an Original.
Application Due Date: May 30th, 2025
APPLY HERE
Director of Education
c/o Human Resources
employment@mchigeeng.ca
M’Chigeeng FN, P.O. Box 333
M’Chigeeng, ON P0P 1G0 (Fax 705-377-4980)
INCOMPLETE applications will not be considered. Preference will be given to Anishinabek people.