Hiring the Position of Graduation Coach
f or Indigenous Youth
Position: Graduation Coach for Indigenous Youth
Union/Association: Administrative Services Group (ASG)
Posting #: 4043737
Date Posted: June 15, 2026
Closing Date: June 22, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
Employment Status: Permanent, Full-Time (10 months)
Work Hours Schedule: 35 hours per week
Location: Serving Sarnia-Lambton & Chatham-Kent Schools
Annual Salary Range: $63,947.67 – $79,589.17
Start Date: August 31, 2026
The Ministry of Education is committed to supporting targeted projects, initiatives and programs to improve the outcomes of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. The SCCDSB Board Action Plan on Indigenous Education targets resources and supports to enhance the engagement, learning, performance, and well-being of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students.
If Interested
Send resume quoting posting number (4043737) through Apply To Education - https://sccdsb.simplication.com/
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Superintendent of Education, the Graduation Coach will work closely with the Board's Indigenous Education Lead to implement programs, services and other supports to meet the needs of underserved and underperforming Indigenous students, with a focus on student success and graduation. The Graduation Coach will work to provide a supportive learning environment for Indigenous students. This may include directing students to appropriate school or community resources to support with student achievement. Responsibilities include:
- Assisting students with the successful transition from elementary school into secondary school or from secondary school into post-secondary education, training, or labour market opportunities.
- Developing “wholistic” individualized student success plans that take into account a student's mental health, cultural identity and overall wellbeing.
- Collaborating with administrators, teachers, parents, guardians, and families to respond to individual and system barriers that affect engagement, well-being and learning of Indigenous students.
- Acting as a mentor and an advisor to the students and play an essential role as an advocate for each learner with teachers, including school staff, parents, guardians, families, community members to support the learning of underserved students.
- Creating additional opportunities for students to be engaged during breaks in regular programming (i.e. long weekends, extended breaks, etc.).
- Completing a needs assessment to identify barriers to student success, work collaboratively on strategies to remove them.
- Creating space for students to voice their experiences to enable the SCCDSB and schools to establish trusting relationships and responsive services.
- Working with the Indigenous Education team and school staff(s) to create a long-term vision/ plan to help students obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
- Engaging Indigenous students by affirming their identity and culture through Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy.
- Conducting individual sessions with students and monitoring progress and performance in collaboration with the school staff and Indigenous Education team.
- Ensuring students receive the resources and services needed to guide them on the path to graduation.
- Attending and participating in meetings as required.
- Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Education.
Qualifications and Skills
- Post secondary degree or diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Indigenous Studies, First Nations Family Support/Community Worker programs with two years experience in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience as determined by the Board, required.
- Comprehensive first-hand life experience and knowledge deeply rooted in local Indigenous communities is required, combined with a deep understanding of systemic barriers and challenges that Indigenous students face in the education system and in the wider community.
- Working knowledge of appropriate strategies for reducing behaviours that put Indigenous students at risk of not graduating from secondary school.
- Demonstrated understanding of Anti-Indigenous Racism.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to be a mentor and act as an advisor to Indigenous students; supporting with Indigenous culture, perspectives, language and ceremonies.
- An understanding of the services available in the community to support Indigenous students at risk of not participating in/ graduating from school.
- Understanding of the diversity and composition of Indigenous communities as well as awareness of local community resources, including local Indigenous community organizations.
- Ability to analyze, develop, implement, and track intervention plans and strategies.
- Knowledge of the principles of Human Rights and the UNDRIP (Understanding the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples).
- Familiarity with related SCCDSB policies, procedures, and protocols, the Education Act, the Human Rights Code, and other relevant legislation.
- Experience working with secondary students.
- Ability to work co-operatively as part of an interdisciplinary team, including teachers, principals, support staff, and community agency personnel.
- Must possess a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation.
Accommodation
The St. Clair Catholic District School Board is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environment. We will accommodate the needs of the applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process; see Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy.
Please advise the Human Resource Services Department to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
Thank You
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The successful candidate will be required to provide a satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check as a condition of employment.
Director of Education Chair of the Board 420 Creek Street
Lisa Demers John Van Heck Wallaceburg, ON N8A 4C4
Telephone: 519-627-6762
Fax: 519-627-8230
Website: www.sccdsb.net
