What is the purpose of the Indigenous Education Teacher Mentor?
The Indigenous Education Teacher Mentor Position exists to provide support to teachers as they incorporate Indigenous ways of Knowing and Being, the First Peoples Principles of Learning, and Indigenous Knowledge, language, and culture into their classrooms, to best meet the unique social, emotional, mental, and physical needs of each of the Indigenous learners in their care. This includes assistance in finding/adapting Indigenous resources for learners, working collaboratively with teachers (co-planning/co-teaching) on incorporating Indigeneity into their classrooms, and developing and encouraging professional learning around Indigenous knowledge, and educational practices, to support Indigenous learners.
Who is the current Indigenous Education Teacher Mentor?
The current Indigenous Education Teacher Mentor is Anna Ashley.
What kinds of supports can I provide?
1. Finding/adapting authentic Indigenous resources for learners (including inclusive supports for struggling learners) 2. Co-planning lessons/unit plans/activities related to Indigenous Content and incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing and being into your classroom, (including experiential, land, and place-based learning) 3. Co-teaching lessons/unit plans/activities related to Indigenous Content and incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing and being into your classroom (including experiential, land, and place-based learning) 4. Providing support for Professional learning around Indigenous content, knowledge, and educational practices that support Indigenous Learners (i.e. Planning or Brainstorming sessions/ professional learning circles/ sharing lesson/unit ideas etc.) 5. Connecting teachers with role models/knowledge keepers/elders for experiential, land, and place-based learning) 6. Support incorporating Indigeneity into the classroom. 7. Support on building connections with students regarding social/emotional needs and building a sense of belonging and sense of place in the classroom. 8. Teaching demonstration lessons
How can you arrange for support from the Indigenous Education Teacher Mentor? A new referral form is in the works, however for now you can do any of the following: