How is Following Their Voices being implemented?

Following Their Voices staff work directly with school-based Strategic Change Leadership Teams to improve teachers’ relational and culturally responsive pedagogy and student achievement. Professional learning and development is embedded into teachers’ daily work and includes:
•    building understanding of the FTV improvement framework;
•    classroom observation and feedback;
•    support for planning and delivering lessons using high impact instructional practices;
•    use of student feedback to guide instructional decisions;
•    setting individual goals and school-wide goals and action plans;
•    reflecting on progress towards goals; and,
•    using data to inform decision-making.

A key component of Following Their Voices is developing teacher collective efficacy – the shared belief that teachers can improve student outcomes through collective actions. Following Their Voices uses a train-the-trainer model in which Strategic Change Leadership Teams, consisting of a system leader, principal, School-based Facilitator and Lead Teacher, receive intensive professional learning and development and then support implementation within their schools. Schools receive intensive support during the early stages of implementation , which gradually decreases as local capacity develops.

Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers have played an integral role in Following Their Voices since inception. The Following Their Voices Elders’ Council provides advice and guidance to the initiative. Council members contribute through committee work and involvement in the planning and delivery of all provincial professional learning and development, ensuring the initiative remains grounded in Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. 

How will we know if Following Their Voices will make a difference?

Metrics are available here.

Can any school participate?

Following Their Voices targets schools with high populations of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students in both provincial and federal systems. 

How does a school get involved?

If a school is interested in implementing Following Their Voices, please contact:

c/o Priority Action Team
2220 College Avenue
Regina, SK S4P 4V9
PAT@gov.sk.ca