Contact Us - Indigenous Education Team - Greater Essex County District School Board

We encourage our parents and community partners to contact us at any time. The following staff members work to support all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students through the Indigenous Education Program at GECDSB

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION STAFF
Tina DeCastro Teacher Consultant 519-255-3200 x 10235 tina.decastro@publicboard.ca	Brieanne John Support Worker 519-255-3200 x 10235 brieanne.john@publicboard.ca	Kayla Murphy Support Worker 519-255-3200 x 10235 kayla.murphy@publicboard.ca	Tyler White Support Worker 519-255-3200 x 10235 tyler.white@publicboard.ca
Ahnii/Shekoli/Hello, I arrived on Turtle Island as a young girl from Portugal with my family and was raised in a very traditional home where our language and culture was celebrated and honoured. It is my own personal goal to be a helper, so that this generation and future generations understand the historical and current events that have impacted the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people on Turtle Island. I am extremely fortunate to work with a great team of individuals dedicated to improving the educational experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students within our school board. I have been a teacher with the GECDSB for 18 years and have spent 6 of those years dedicated to Indigenous Education. In collaboration with the community, I provide staff and students opportunities to learn the true history of Turtle Island using authentic learning resources, experiences and Indigenous voices. I look forward to continuing to listen and learn from students, parents and guardians in order to do the work with an open mind and heart.	Sheko:li (Greetings), Kaliwahloluks in my Longhouse name, and I am part of the Okw:li (Bear) clan from the Onya:ta^ka (Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation). I am active in my culture and constantly growing my knowledge and understanding of both my own and other cultures. I have achieved my B.A. in Honours Psychology and I am eager to continue learning what I can do to better assist my students and families. I also have many years of experience volunteering and working First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth where I was able to build relationships with them and their families. I look forward to continuing this work and nourishing a trust that will will allow parents and students to view me as somebody with their best interests at heart.	Boozhoo (Hello), Kayla Murphy ninidizhinikaaz (My name is Kayla Murphy). Mishiike nindoodem (My clan is Turtle). Walpole Island First Nation nindoonjibaa (I come from Walpole Island Fist Nation). I hold a Development Services Worker Ontario College Diploma; an Autism and Behavioural Science Ontario College Graduate Certificate; an Office Administration - General Ontario College Certificate; a Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies; and I am currently completing a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. Inspired by my experiences as an anishinaabekwe (Ojibway woman), I continue my service to Indigenous communities through various volunteer roles. I look forward to sharing my passion for inclusivity, diversity, and education with the FNMI student population, their families, and school staff through my work with the GECDSB.	Boozhoo/Sheko:li (Greetings), I am an Oneida and Ojibwe from Bkejwanong Territory (Walpole Island First Nation). I am active in my culture, in both traditional and educational aspects. My educational background is law oriented but I have also always liked working with First Nations, Métis, & Inuit youth. I previously worked with the Walpole Island Secondary School Program as a First Nation, Métis, and Inuit student support worker for a high school aged students.