NAN/KPDSB School Support Partnership
The NAN/KPDSB School Support Partnership first began in September, 2016, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Keewatin Patricia District School Board. We provide various supports to individual First Nation schools, with a focus on working “collaboratively to help design and promote strategies to equip First Nation students with the self-confidence and educational opportunities required to be successful in reaching their educational goals”.
During the 2019-2020 school year, the following seven First Nations will participate in the school support program:
- Bearskin Lake First Nation
- Fort Severn First Nation
- North Spirit Lake First Nation
- Marten Falls First Nation
- Mattagami First Nation
- Mishkeegogamang First Nation
- Webequie First Nation
The NAN/KPDSB School Support Partnership activities focus on the following areas:
- Principal Mentoring/Coaching
- New Teacher Induction Program
- Implementation of the Mental Health Champion Program
The KPDSB principal mentor/coach collaborates with the NAN principals to provide opportunities for them to develop the knowledge and skills needed to:
- Implement high impact leadership practices to ensure that the everyday actions of staff are focused on improving student outcomes.
- Utilize instructional leadership practices that encourage exemplary teacher practice, while setting targets to improve student learning.
- Create and implement effective school improvement plans based on student and staff needs, including culturally-relevant programming.
- Develop a collaborative professional learning environment in which staff work continuously to improve their practice to meet individual student needs.
- Support teacher learning through ongoing feedback and the effective use of the teacher performance appraisal process.
The KPDSB Principal Mentor/Coach works with the NAN principals and new teachers to support the implementation of the New Teacher Induction Program. The NAN NTIP teachers are given opportunities to participate in professional learning sessions, and teacher mentor experiences, facilitated by the staff at the Keewatin Patricia District School Board. Successful teacher candidates receive NTIP Accreditation on the Ontario Teacher Certificates.
The Mental Health Champion Program was recently introduced to the seven NAN schools and focuses on training initiatives and networking opportunities that support capacity building, including an awareness of mental health and wellness issues in schools.
