Instructional Leader (Secondary) – Indigenous Education

COMPETITION NO.: 25-0022TET

POSTED:  April 15, 2025

DEADLINE:  12:00 Noon, April 24, 2025

Instructional Leader (Secondary) - Indigenous Education - Urban Indigenous Education Centre

1 Position

(2-year term – 10-month position)

The Toronto District School Board adheres to equitable hiring, employment and promotion practices.

Preference will be given to candidates who have lived experience as a First Nations, Métis or Inuit person.

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) invites applications from qualified Teachers for the position of Instructional Leader (Secondary) – Indigenous Education.

This 10-month position will commence September 1, 2025, and is scheduled to end June 30, 2027, subject to any restructuring or reorganization. This position is subject to possible renewal. 

The Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC) provides wrap-around services to support the well-being and learning of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. UIEC also supports all TDSB staff and students in the learning of Indigenous Education. This position aligns with one of Toronto District School Board’s guiding principles of Truth and Reconciliation and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous as the road to reconciliation.

The Instructional Leader will provide support for the delivery and implementation of the Ontario First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework to schools and teachers.

The successful candidate will report to the Centrally Assigned Principal, Urban Indigenous Education Centre – Indigenous Education, and will be part of regional and system teams.

The TDSB is committed to the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada:  Calls to Action, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as a guiding principle and a strategic direction.

The candidate must also have a demonstrated ability to advance human rights and take actions that address racism in all its forms, while promoting Equity and demonstrating Anti-Oppressive pedagogy. 

Summary of Duties: 

• Provide leadership in fostering equity and inclusion in the development and implementation of programs and services;
• Provide leadership in the implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Calls to Action (TRC) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP);
• Work collaboratively as a member of the core team with the Urban Indigenous Education Centre to carry out key initiatives, including system wide projects;
• Provide leadership to build staff capacity in Indigenous Education within various subject/program areas, Grades 9-12;
• Provide professional learning to support school improvement in all aspects of the infusion of Indigenous perspectives, histories, cultures and worldviews across the curriculum, and the implementation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies and Native Languages curricula as both a foundation to the Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) and one of the areas of focus of the MYSP;
•  Engage in pedagogical and instructional coaching, co-planning and co-teaching to support classroom teachers, schools and Families of Schools;
• Develop current and relevant curriculum support materials and resources for the purposes of implementing TRC and UNDRIP as foundational to the MYSP;
• Assist schools in the implementation of provincial and TDSB curriculum policies;
• Support and coordinate on-going implementation of program initiatives and development of best practices in Indigenous Education;
• Attend Student, Parent/Caregiver and Community and departmental meetings, and provide leadership to and collaborate with other TDSB departments in the effective support of School Improvement Planning and implementation across the system;
• Liaise with appropriate provincial organizations, community groups and other departments within the TDSB;
• Track and analyse system achievement and well-being data in Indigenous Education and plan for system improvement;
• Provide mentoring, methodology and curriculum expertise to all schools and staff in best practices in Indigenous Education;
• Develop First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies and various curriculum support materials for secondary credit courses and develop curriculum resource materials for the infusion of Indigenous perspectives across the curriculum;
• Assist schools in processes to decolonize practices by implementing inclusive, culturally relevant and culturally safe curriculum;  
• Work with the Elders Council, System Superintendent and the Board Lead for Indigenous Education to inform system initiatives and foci; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Ontario College of Teachers' Certificate of Qualification, in good standing;
• Candidates must have a demonstrated understanding of, and experience in, specific practical competencies in Indigenous Education content and pedagogies, as well as a deep understanding of TRC and UNDRIP;
• Demonstrated experience in Indigenous Education that reflects a deep understanding of the histories, socio-political contexts, perspectives and current experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples;
• Preference will be given to candidates who have lived experience as a First Nations, Métis or Inuit person and who have a strong understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing, working within First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities;
• A relevant specialist or honours specialist qualification would be an asset;
• Proven ability as an innovative and stimulating educator;
• A minimum of three years of successful teaching and leadership experience would be an asset, with experience in at least two divisions;
• Familiarity with Native Language(s) and oral traditions would be an asset;
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to engage, influence, and motivate others;
• Proven ability to design and facilitate professional development for teachers in a wide variety of areas such as assessment and evaluation, and teaching and learning strategies;
• In-depth knowledge of current educational issues and appropriate Ministry and Board policies, documents and research;
• Demonstrated understanding of collaborative inquiry processes for professional learning;
• Demonstrated expertise in utilizing effective practices that enhance conditions for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students;
• Excellent information technology skills, and knowledge of instructional software to support Native Languages programs and the infusion of Indigenous perspectives across the curriculum;
• Demonstrated organizational, planning, mentoring and staff development skills;
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills;
• Proven ability in promoting equitable practices which value inclusion and diversity;
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a learning/working environment which actively promotes and supports human rights;
• Understanding of an integrated approach to curriculum planning and delivery; and
• Demonstrated experience in working with and in Indigenous communities would be an asset.

Information for Candidates:

1. The successful candidate’s salary will be in accordance with the teacher’s salary grid plus the allowance for Instructional Leaders.
2. The successful candidate will also be entitled to a Tier 1 supplementary expense allowance, currently $1,750 annually.
3. If a Position of Responsibility Allowance is currently held, that Allowance does not transfer to this position.
4. Subject to the staffing rules governing leave rescinds, any teacher who holds a Position of Responsibility and who is hired into an acting assignment or into a centrally assigned position will be returned to their Position of Responsibility upon return from their acting assignment or their centrally assigned position, unless either assignment occurs in the final year of the termed Position of Responsibility appointment.
5. Candidates who are selected for an interview will be notified as soon as possible after the closing date.
6. At the end of the term, the successful candidate will either apply for a central position or return to their home school, subject to staffing/surplus/placement procedures.

Application Process:

Please ensure the following documents are submitted as one single document:

• Up-to-date resume/curriculum vitae;
• Covering letter indicating an interest in the position (Employee number if applicable, Ontario College of Teachers number and current work location clearly marked on the covering letter); and
• Copy of your up-to-date Ontario College of Teachers Qualification Certificate (which can be found at www.oct.ca).

Please note:

1. Applications should be submitted by e-mail to the e-mail address below in MS Word or PDF (PDF preferred) format due to printing capabilities.
2. Format for naming your File:  Last Name, First Name, Employee Number (if applicable)
3. Please quote the competition number in the subject line of your e-mail.
4. One e-mail per competition number please.