New FNMI Grad Coach for STAHS & St. Isidore
St. Thomas Aquinas High School and St. Isidore Virtual Secondary School are pleased to introduce Bob Kowal as the new First Nation, Metis, and Inuit (FNMI) Graduation Coach.
Bob will support the unique needs of FNMI students and their families to help improve student success and graduation rates.
In his new role, Bob will help improve student success and graduation rates, develop and lead an FNMI Student Support Team, collaborate with parents, Chief and Council, school staff , and community partners to build relationships within and beyond the school.
St. Isidore Virtual School Vice Principal, Mark Richards had this to say about Bob taking on this role.
“I am thrilled that we have Bob working with our students during this unprecedented time as well as going forward. Our school has an amazing population of FNMI students who will now benefit from Bob’s strong cultural ties, experience in education, knowledge of our schools as well as the strong relationships he has with communities in our area”
Bob said he took the role because he wanted to be able to work with students and help them achieve success.
“For the past 4 years, I have been in educational leadership position at another board. I had a lot of positive work and learning experiences in this role. However, the role demanded I work out of the board office and I felt distanced from kids. I wanted a position where I could work at the elbow with students again. Equally important was the fact I would supporting FNMI students - as someone who self-identifies, I feel I have a lot experiences that help me relate to our FNMI students and be able to support them in their academic goals. As well, having taught here for 15 years, the transition into the school has been excellent. I still know a lot of the staff and the relationships we have fostered over the years are still there.”
Bob has been in the role since January.