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:
- To foster every Indigenous student’s sense of belonging, cultural identity and self-esteem.
- To foster the academic success of all Indigenous students through personalized learning.
- To foster the awareness and understanding of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit history, traditions and culture for all students.
- 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/