Manager, School Community Engagement

The Peel District School Board (PDSB) is a racially, culturally and linguistically diverse board that serves 155,000+ students and approximately 17,000 employees. In PDSB, 87% of students are racialized, non-white, representing 162 different ethnic backgrounds. Students in Peel have 121 different first languages. Student diversity also exists in terms of gender and gender expression, sexuality and in terms of ability and faith. A responsive and empathetic understanding of the lived experiences of the students and communities we serve is vital to those who will take on leadership roles within the PDSB. The workforce consists of teachers, office staff, custodial staff, education assistants and professional staff. The workforce is largely unionized through PDSB’s numerous affiliated bargaining agents.

Background

Racial discrimination and other forms of marginalization continue to be a considerable barrier to the well-being and academic success of particular student groups. At the Peel District School Board, we are committed to improving the well-being and achievement of all students. Our publicly stated commitments to anti-racism, anti-oppression, and pandemic health and safety protocols ensure that this occurs through engaging, equitable and inclusive online and in-person learning modalities and through culturally relevant program opportunities. It is through the foundational practice of equity using collaborative and intentional strategies that we can eliminate the biases, barriers and power dynamics that limit equitable access of opportunities by those students who face these exclusions.

Context

As the Manager of School Community Engagement, you will support the Peel District School Board’s mandate to implement a community engagement framework that reflects anti-racist and equity principles in an effort to eliminate systemic inequities while working alongside community.

As Manager of School Community Engagement, you will work with key stakeholders, including members of school administration, community stakeholders, and parents and caregivers. and community stakeholders, in supporting the implementation of the Ministerial Directives 9, 10 and 18 with a specific focus on sustaining community leadership, and building transformative relationships with parents, families and community using methods that are reflective of the diverse community in the Peel region.

The Manager will provide leadership to the work of the five (5) School Community Engagement Specialists to support Black, Indigenous and racialized students to achieve their full potential. The Manager will support engagement and outreach practices to develop partnerships that support student achievement and well-being.

**RESPONSIBILTIES include but are not limited to**:
Direct supervision of 5 School Community Engagement Specialists including coaching, motivating and problem-solving challenges.

Working with the Superintendents, Principals and Coordinators in the Equity Department to support the implementation of Ministerial Directive 10, Peel District School Board's Human Rights Procedure, Peel’s Anti-Racism Policy, Equity and Inclusive Education Policy, Black Student Success Strategy and all policies and procedures of the Board

Ensure that the PDSB Human Rights Policy 51 and the dignities of Indigenous Nations, Black, African, Caribbean communities as well as other racialized students, staff, and families with all their intersecting identities are met by embedding the principles of anti-colonial, anti-racism and anti-oppression into all community engagement processes, policies, programs, guidelines, and practices.

Supervise and implement the principles Ontario First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education Policy Framework; and Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action as they relate to working alongside community

Advance the priorities, aims and defined actions of the Black Student Success Strategy: We Rise 2.0 to create an equitable, inclusive and affirming environment for Black students and staff

Work in partnership with We Rise Together Advisory Council and Advocacy Peel (aka Alliance) to address disparities in outcomes for Black, African, Caribbean students in Peel region (Directive 20)

Foster and cultivate relationships between other racialized groups identified in the Ministry Review: South Asian, Middle Eastern and East Asian (MR pg. 3)

Provide leadership and expertise in the development and implementation of a collaborative communication strategy that will be used with Peel’s diverse communities to ensure Equity Action Plan achieves its deliverables.

Provide leadership and expertise in the implementation of a Community Engagement Framework

Coordinate the range of community partnerships and Students and Family Advocates Initiative that serve system’s priorities to address anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, anti-Islamophobia racism and anti-homophobia

Develop a data tracking strategy to report on the activities