Open Minds Program

The Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) is dedicated to providing services and supports to First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) students and their families. As a self-identified student, your child may be entitled to academic support, cultural activities and other extra-curricular opportunities through funding provided by the Ministry of Education.

Program details

The Greater Essex County District School Board has a dedicated team working towards key goals.

Supporting First Nations, Métis and Inuit students

Find out how we support FNMI students through learning, engagement transitions and well-being.

Learning

Here are ways that the GECDSB is support FNMI learning:

  • Support the development of learning environments that engage Indigenous learners
  • Increase the graduation rate of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students
  • Improve First Nation, Métis, and Inuit student achievement

Engagement

Here are some ways that the GECDSB is engaging with FNMI students:

  • Provide opportunities for meaningful First Nations, Métis and Inuit student involvement through the learning environment (school, social, & classroom)
  • Engage students in activities that will encourage them emotionally, intellectually and physically

Transitions

We are working to help First Nations, Métis and Inuit students move confidently and successfully from one educational stage to another. This includes the following transitions:

  • Home to school
  • Junior to intermediate
  • Elementary school to secondary school
  • Secondary school to post-secondary school

Well-Being

We are working to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to develop an individual sense of physical, social-emotional and cultural balance.

Supporting educators and staff

Explore the ways that the GECDSB is supporting staff and educators to create inclusive and supportive environments for all students.

Building awareness

It is important to build awareness among educators and staff about Indigenous knowledge and history. We will do this by:

  • Providing professional development opportunities for staff and students to build intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect towards Indigenous Peoples and enhance their capacity to support Indigenous learners more effectively
  • Increasing the number of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies courses offered

Student learning

We are supporting staff and educators through facilitated professional development opportunities for teaching staff to assist them in incorporating culturally appropriate pedagogy into practice to support Indigenous student achievement, well-being and success.

Academic support teachers for Indigenous students Grades 1-4

The Academic support for Indigenous students' program is a literacy and numeracy remediation program that targets specific student needs based on diagnostic assessments. You can contact one of our academic support teachers for more information:

Each group of students has program goals that they work towards throughout the sessions. The significant factor is using a relationship-based approach to aid in achieving each of the student goals. Sessions are student centered, holistic and focused on helping each student gain confidence in their abilities. Small groups were created based on ability and keeping in mind common goals of the students, where possible one on one sessions were also conducted. Communication with families, homeroom teachers and other school support staff was also a key component. This ensured that all of us are working together to help improve, enrich and strengthen each of our student's minds, knowledge and lives.

First Nations, Metis and Inuit student support workers, K to 12

Student Support Workers work directly with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, their families, and school staff on matters related to student achievement, cultural inclusiveness, and building trusting relationships. 

Their goals are to assist First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students by helping to improve student achievement, provide cultural learning opportunities, create greater opportunities for success in education and help foster an understanding and an appreciation for Indigenous Peoples in all our school communities.

Support provided could look like one-on-one or group work to support academics, checking in with students to ensure they are happy and successful at school, and cultural activities and programming. All supports and programming are based off of student voice as well as parent and guardian voice.

Graduation Coach for Indigenous students

Graduation coaches help to identify and remove barriers to better enable Indigenous students to engage in school and to facilitate their learning, well-being and achievement.

Here are some additional ways that the graduation coach supports Indigenous students:

  • Establish trusting relationships with Indigenous students, their families and communities, so they have a greater level of confidence in the student's education
  • Identify strategies, milestones, and indicators to support Indigenous students to achieve credits, graduate and transition successfully into their chosen post-secondary pathway

Teacher consultants for Indigenous education, K to 12

Our teacher consultants provide direction, leadership and support for the implementation of the GECDSB Indigenous Education Plan. Please contact Tina DeCastro at [email protected] for more information. The teacher consultant is responsible for:

  • Supporting the Open Minds team as we work towards improving the learning environments and success of Indigenous students
  • Working in partnership with Indigenous families and community to develop programs, supports and resources
  • Planning professional development opportunities for staff and students to build intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect towards Indigenous Peoples
  • Collaborating with teachers to ensure curriculum expectations are implemented using authentic Indigenous voices and resources