Meet Our Staff

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION INCLUDES:

Indigenous Support Workers (ISWs)

Based on the Indigenous Education Enhancement Agreement, our ISWs provide direct support to all self-identified Indigenous Students K-12.  Their main role is to make connections with students and to provide the following:

  1. To foster every Indigenous student’s sense of belonging, cultural identity and self-esteem.
  2. To foster the academic success of all Indigenous students through personalized learning.
  3. To foster the awareness and understanding of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit history, traditions and culture for all students.
  4. To foster Indigenous students’ skills, qualities and confidence in leadership.

Indigenous Education Curriculum Support Teachers

The district curriculum support teachers provide direct support to teachers with the First Peoples Principle of Learning in classrooms. They work closely with school district staff to weave indigenous ways of knowing and being throughout all levels of the curriculum.

Indigenous Engagement and Knowledge Specialist

Facilitates meaningful lessons and discussions on land based learning to support the understanding and knowledge for students, staff, and school communities.

Indigenous Cultural and Community Coordinator

Provides support to the Indigenous Education team and community by acting as a liaison with various organizations and community groups.  Supports the following programs; Elders in Residence, Cultural Presenters, Warriors, and Therapeutic Riding.

Indigenous Education District Office

Oversees and supports the Indigenous Education team to ensure that all Indigenous students, if desired have access to support and service.

Meet Our Indigenous Education Staff

Indigenous Support Workers

Airport Elementary  Meet Andrea Nauta

Arden Elementary  Meet Sandi Phye 

Aspen Elementary  Meet Ann Billie

Brooklyn Elementary  Meet Rachelle Johns

Courtenay Elementary Meet Holly Douglas

Cumberland Community School Meet Grace Johnson and Corrina Mahoney

Denman Island School Meet 

Ecole Puntledge Park Meet Shawna Eggleston and Lena Murdock and Jamie Boxall

Ecole Robb Road Meet Pauline Engisch

George P. Vanier Secondary Meet Troy Donovan, Jacqueline Morgan, Sally Sheehan and Chelsea Pasanen

Glacier View Secondary Meet Kath Larson

Highland Secondary Meet Cheryl Graham, Mel Norris, and David Dawson

Hornby Island School Meet

Huband Park Elementary Meet Debbie Allen and Kolby Koschack

Lake Trail Middle School Meet Paul Arthur and Jennifer Hilchey

Mark R. Isfeld Secondary Meet Jeannie McDonald and Kristy Bell

Miracle Beach Elementary Meet Erin Kotyk

Nala’atsi School Meet Becki Wile

NIDES Navigate Meet Annette Blecic 

Queneesh Elementary Meet Kristin Woiwod and Jaymie Newton

Royston Elementary Meet Twyla MacDonald

Valley View Elementary Meet Colleen Furlotte

Indigenous Education District Curriculum Support Teachers

Meet Lynn Swift (elementary K – 7)

Meet Jeannine Walker (secondary 8-12)

Meet Lelaina Jules (secondary  8 – 12)

K’ómoks First Nation Student Success Teacher

Meet Natasha Rainkie (K-12)

Indigenous Engagement and Knowledge Specialist

Meet Jessie Everson

Indigenous Cultural and Community Coordinator

Meet Gwen Monnet

Distance Learning Support 

Administrative Assistant – Meet Giselaine Ballantyne

Indigenous Support Teacher – Meet Sandra Rutherford

Indigenous Support Worker – Meet Annette Blecic

Indigenous Support Worker – Meet Alana Alix

Indigenous Education Office

Senior Administrative Assistant – Meet Tabitha Dehr

District Principal of Indigenous Education – Meet Bruce Carlos

District Vice-Principal of Indigenous Education – Meet Lelaina Jules

Manager of Indigenous Education – Meet Chettie Taylor

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

If you, or someone you know are interested in working with Indigenous Education, please send us an email or call today for more details: indigenous.education@sd71.bc.ca / 250 331-4040

To view current openings, visit:  //www.makeafuture.ca/regions-districts/bc-public-school-districts/vancouver-island-sunshine-coast/comox-valley/