PRINCIPAL

CHILDREN OF THE EARTH HIGH SCHOOL

A Big Picture Learning School

(Classification I)

Children of the Earth is a Grade 9 to 12 school focused on Indigenous language, culture, and deeper learning. As much as possible, the Manitoba curriculum is taught from an Indigenous perspective and within an integrated, project-based format aligning with Big Picture Learning design principles.

Children of the Earth High School is a unique setting with an enrolment of approximately 200 students.

Vision Statement:

The Winnipeg School Division and Children of the Earth High School staff, students, caregivers, and community collaborate and consult as a team. Children of the Earth High School believes in the dignity, value, and worth of each individual. We recognize that students are diverse and exist within a world where changing times present new challenges and demands. Hence, the purpose and vision of the school is for our students to be best prepared to use their individual gifts and talents to give back to the community, live a good life, and lead our nations with wisdom, courage, and strength. We believe in engaging students in a rigorous, culturally-based, flexible, holistic learning environment, centered on the individual needs and passions of the students.

Goals and Objectives: To pass on rich cultural knowledge and practices, and promote acquisition and fluency in Indigenous languages;

To engage all students in rigorous academic programming from an Indigenous perspective according to their individual interests, strengths, and needs, both inside the school and in the community;

To engage caregivers and community in the life of the school and support free community and caregiver access to cultural programming/ceremony;

To respond to the needs of students and families to promote consistent presence in school;

To promote a healthy lifestyle in balance with the four quadrants of the medicine wheel;

To produce graduates who are prepared to lead our nations with wisdom, courage, and strength.In addition to the regular academic, cultural, and language programming, the school offers an infant care centre, comes with the Medical Careers Exploration Program, Language and Culture through Music programming, and provides after-school programs for students and caregivers.

Starting Date: September 3, 2024

Qualifications: Consideration will be given to applicants who have demonstrated the following qualifications and characteristics:

Successful teaching and/or administrative experience, especially at the high school level;

LEADERSHIP and MANAGEMENT A leader who is at the forefront of educational issues, knowledgeable about curricula, ability to

articulate a clear educational vision and holds high expectations for student success; An instructional leader embedded with high standards for academic excellence;

Encourages celebration of learning while supporting the arts, physical education and STEAM programming;

Supports a school wide approach to student success and responds to behavioral issues in a fair, consistent and timely manner with appropriate follow-up with staff, students and parents;

Displays strong leadership, organizational and management skills

Has experience in facilities management, record keeping, data analysis, and financial management;

Implements an organizational structure that reflects the schools mission statement, goals and plan and the WSD Strategic Plan;

An understanding of The Land, The People, and The Stories;

An instructional leader.

PERSONNEL Encourages staff to be innovative and risk-taking, supports ongoing professional growth and provides opportunities for developing leadership skills;

Experience and understanding of hiring practices and supervision of teaching and support staff;

Leads the process for performance reviews of all staff using established criteria of each employee group;

Leads professional learning conversations, empowers staff, and leads staff in professional growth.INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM Has a proven track record in decolonizing schools and answering the Calls to Action, specifically 6-12.

Has a proven track record of education leadership predicated on moving teacher practice forward through formative feedback, including all learners in school life, and ensuring learners and families who need supports are able to access them;

Has a deep understanding of Big Picture Learning philosophy and experience supporting deeper learning;

Has strong processes for implementing and monitoring curriculum and student assessment;

Promotes instructional practice consistent with WSD Principles of Learning, child development, effective pedagogy and the needs of each student;

Has experience with inclusive programming with a clear understanding of, and commitment to, inclusion of students with additional needs;

Identifies and develops programs in consultation with staff to meet diverse learning needs of students;

Willingness to continue and strengthen the teacher collaboration and planning support models including Professional Learning Communities;

Uses data-driven decision making to monitor and support student growth and teacher learning;

Values and supports strong co-curricular and extracurricular programs.COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS Fosters an atmosphere of openness and an environment in which trust and mutual respect are evident;

Understanding and experience working with students from different socio-economic and or diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds;

Highly involved and visible in the life of the school; demonstrates a sense of passion, inspiration and

Willingness to incorporate the values of the community into the daily life of the school; welcoming and encourages parental involvement;

Has demonstrated successful experience working in a culturally diverse environment;

Brings experience, knowledge and understanding of Indigenous peoples, culture and perspectives;

Values parental and community involvement and demonstrates excellent facilitation skills in bringing the parents, staff and students into a dialogue around school goals and priorities. About Winnipeg School Division

WSD is one of Manitobas largest employers with over 6,000 full and part time employees in 84 locations including 79 schools (including one virtual school), two administrative buildings, a training centre, a buildings maintenance location and school bus depot and our fleet of almost 100 school buses. Every employee is vital in helping us achieve our purpose, vision, values and principles of learning to support the almost 30,000 students we serve.

Joining Winnipeg School Division means getting the opportunity to work in schools in a variety of communities throughout Winnipeg that are culturally diverse and emphasize the inclusion of all students.