Temporary Full-time Black Graduation Coach

**JOB TITLE**:Temporary Full-time Black Graduation Coach (Student Success Focus)
**LOCATION**:Brantford, ON

Grand Erie District School Board represents more than 28,000 students in 58 elementary schools and 14 secondary schools within the City of Brantford and the counties of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk, as well as students from Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. With a dedicated staff of more than 2,900, Grand Erie is committed to learning, leading and inspiring.

The Black Graduation Coach will work closely with Principal Leaders, School Administration and Superintendents to providing intensive supports to Black students and their families with the goal of seeing each student achieve credits, graduate, and successfully transition into their chosen post-secondary pathway. Under the direction of the Superintendent of Curriculum & Student Achievement, the Graduation Coach for Black Students will provide targeted, culturally responsive supports and address service delivery gaps to facilitate the engagement, well-being, and academic achievement of Black students.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Collaborate with school administrators, school staff, families, system staff, and community resources to identify systemic barriers and develop meaningful solutions to support the engagement, well-being and academic achievement of Black students
- Work with the school team to devise plans to help students obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma
- Complete a needs assessment to identify barriers to student success, work collaboratively on strategies to remove them
- Create additional opportunities for students to be engaged during breaks in regular programming (i.e. long weekends, extended breaks, etc.) for participating students
- Work with school staff to create a long-term vision/plan for identified Black students who will benefit from targeted supports
- Facilitate access and referral to academic supports and community resources to provide integrated support systems for Black students
- Build positive and trusting relationships with Black students through a strength-based approach
- Act as a trusted mentor and advisor to Black students
- Act as a Black student advocate with educators, administrators, school staff and families
- Engage Black students and their families by affirming their identity and culture through culturally responsive and relevant practices
- Create a welcoming and culturally responsive space to build a sense of community and belonging for Black students that will enable them to voice their experiences
- Maintain confidential information on each individual student, utilizing the board’s educational software resources throughout the year to track and monitor academic achievement and well-being
- Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Curriculum & Student Achievement

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- **?**Post-secondary degree or diploma in Humanities or Social Sciences with two years of experience in a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience as determined by the board
- Comprehensive first-hand life experience deeply rooted in local Black communities combined with a deep understanding of systemic barriers and challenges that Black students face in the education system and in the wider community
- Demonstrated respect and understanding of the diversity and composition of Black communities
- Demonstrated expertise and experience to identify barriers and design appropriate interventions to increase the well-being and academic achievement of Black students
- Demonstrated knowledge of the youth service sector and ability to access and navigate local community resources to support students and their families
- Deep understanding of youth culture and the principles of youth engagement
- Knowledge of local community resources and the ability to support students and their families to access and navigate these resources
- Demonstrated ability to act as a trusted mentor and advisor to Black students
- Strong advocacy skills to support individual and collective student voice
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization including external partners
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and build consensus in an interdisciplinary team environment
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills as well as the ability to work independently
- Knowledge of the principles of Human Rights, Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Oppression
- Ability to speak French and/or other languages considered an asset

**Job Specifications**

**Rate of Pay**
- Hiring Range $57,201 to $63,578

Salary Range $57,201 to $66,762

A competitive benefits plan is available through a provincial benefits trust plan

OMERS pension plan is available

**Effective Date**

**As soon as possible to June 30, 2025 (with the possibility of extension, pending final board budget approva