Graduation Coach for Black Students – Kwa Sabatu Unajah (Because You Belong) (Term)

Interested staff members are required to complete the following on-line application to the attention of: The Recruitment Team. These three (3) term positions are effective September 2 2025 and will end on or about June 26 2026.

In compliance with Board policies and procedures lead and implement programs and services that support Black students in need of success strategies with focus on the requirements for graduation in secondary schools and career exploration for post secondary.

Location: Inclusive School and Community Services - 60 Wellington Street West Aurora ON L4G 3H2

Line of Responsibility:

Responsible to the Principal Inclusive School and Community Services & Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy.

Major Responsibilities

• To work with Inclusive Schools and Community Services and school staff to create a long-term vision/plan to identify underserved Black students in schools and develop plans to help students obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. To identify and monitor Black students who are failing or at risk of failing one or more courses monthly.
• To meet with students individually and in small groups to help them think and plan strategically for the successful completion of high school monitoring their performance and progress.
• To complete a needs assessment to identify barriers to Black student success and work collaboratively with staff on strategies to remove them.
• To work to support Black students with social-emotional needs as well as academic needs.
• To engage underserved Black students by creating a welcoming environment and affirming the identities and cultures of Black students through Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy.
• To collaborate with administrators teachers parents guardians and families to respond to individual and system barriers that affect the success in the classroom engagement well-being and learning of Black students and create a long-term vision/plan.
• To create culturally relevant workshops or programs and additional opportunities for students to be engaged during breaks in regular programming participating students including long weekends and extended breaks.
• To ensure students receive the resources and services needed to guide them on the path to graduation.
• To maintain confidential information on each individual student tracking and monitoring academic achievement and well-being including suspensions/expulsions credit accumulation and attendance.
• To assist students with career exploration.
• To assist students with the successful transition from secondary school into post-secondary education training or labour market opportunities.
• To document and maintain all records regarding student contacts and dropout prevention as well as intervention and recovery efforts.
• To create space for students to voice their experiences in order to enable YRDSB secondary schools to establish trusting relationships and responsive services.
• To build/establish relationships with various service agencies serving the community.
• To prepare reports and compile data as required.
• To attend and participate in meetings/events during the day or evenings as required.
• Other duties as assigned by the Inclusive Schools and Community Services Principal and Coordinating Superintendent of Education Indigenous Education and Equity.

Education Experience and Qualifications:

• A three-year community college diploma in Social Work Child and Youth Worker or Community Organizer or equivalent is required.
• Minimum five years of related experience is required and experience working with underserved Black students is preferred.
• Life experience deeply rooted in Black communities and experience working with underserved Black students their families and communities.
• Ability to identify barriers and intervention points.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of the principles of Human Rights.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  

Leadership

• Supervision or people management is not an expectation of this role.
• Responsible for sharing knowledge and information with Board staff and reports yearly to the Ministry of Education.
• Acts as a mentor and an advisor to the underserved Black Students and play an essential role as an advocate for each learner.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with administrators students families and students circle of care.
• Collaborates in the decision making for Black students with a team of Graduation Coaches.

Accountability and Decision Making

• Responsible for maintaining knowledge of Anti-Black Racism the diversity and composition of Black communities and awareness of local community resources including local Black community organizations.
• Responsible for adherence to Board policies and procedures the Education Act and Human Rights Code.
• Accountable for providing Board standard support for Black students in difficult situations while maintaining high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
• Identifies educational and social barriers and provides assistance and support to Black students. This position may deal with suicide intervention interpersonal performance and/or medical issues.
• Analyzes develops implements and monitors intervention plans and strategies.
• Uses appropriate strategies for reducing behaviors that deter successful graduation.
  

Working Conditions

• Typical corporate office environment.
• Requires use of technology and computer equipment for prolonged periods.
• Regular travel between Board sites is required; must be able to provide own transportation.

Equity Diversity and Inclusion Statement

The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) believes in giving each and every applicant an equal opportunity to succeed on their own merit and we strive to hire staff that reflect and support the diverse perspectives experiences and needs of students and communities. We remain committed to upholding the values of equity diversity and inclusion in our living learning and work environments. We know that diversity underpins excellence and that we all share responsibility for creating an equitable diverse and inclusive Board-community.

Therefore in pursuit of the Boards values we seek members who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across the organizational hierarchy in actualizing the Boards priorities goals and principles outlined in the District Action Plan . Candidates who have strong racial literacy practices and a commitment to dismantling anti-racism anti-oppression and creating identity-affirming spaces in order to intentionally disrupt racist and hateful acts.

We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to sovereignty equity including but not limited to:

• First Nations Mtis and Inuit peoples and all other Indigenous peoples;

• African Black and Black Caribbean peoples (in alignment with Anti-Black Racism Strategy);

• South Asian East Asian Southeast Asian Middle East/West Asian Latino/Hispanic (in alignment with YRDSB Workforce Census to address disproportionalities identified).

• members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race ancestry colour religion and/or spiritual beliefs or place of origin;

• persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;

• persons who identify as women; and

• persons of marginalized sexual orientations gender identities and gender expressions.

At YRDSB we recognize that many of these identities intersect and therefore equity diversity and inclusion can be complex. We value and respect the contributions that each person brings to enriching the Board and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all in the communities that we serve.

Accessibility and Accommodation Statement

We also recognize the duty to accommodate and foster a culture of inclusion. Consistent with the principles of dignity individualization and inclusion we will make any appropriate accommodation based on any of the protected grounds in the Human Rights Code to support candidate participation in the hiring process. When contacted candidates will be provided with an overview of the various elements of the hiring process such as skills assessments written practicum presentation interview etc. If an accommodation is required requests can be made in advance of any stage of the recruitment process. All information received relating to a candidates required accommodation will be addressed confidentially by the Recruitment and Retention Team. Please make this request to or a member of the Recruitment Team. If this position is a school based LTO/Contract Teaching position please email the Principal directly to request the accommodation to be made at the school in collaboration with Human Resource Services Disability Management Team.

Important Note for YRDSB Employees: If you have a current accommodation in place through Disability Management please inform your Disability Management Case Manager ( ) to ensure that your accommodation needs can be met in the new role that you are pursuing. If invited to participate in the hiring process and you are unable to perform the essential/bona fide requirements (e.g. physical cognitive requirements) please notify the Recruitment Team by emailing to review next steps (in the email please reference the job title you are applying to).

As a condition of employment and in accordance with the Education Act anyone seeking employment or wanting to volunteer must provide a satisfactory police record check. A Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) must be completed by the police services in the jurisdiction in which you reside this is based on your home address (only accepted by police services within Canada); must be satisfactory to the YRDSB and completed within six (6) months prior to the scheduled start date. It is the candidates responsibility to provide the results to the Board upon instruction.

We will accept satisfactory PVSCs that name any other school board and other employers (daycare centers OCT and employers that would require a police check for vulnerable persons) in Ontario and obtained within the last six (6) months.