Hingley Named New Superintendent of Sask Rivers Schools

Mrs. Jennifer Hingley, a graduate of the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP), has been appointed the new superintendent of the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division. The Division operates 33 schools in the Prince Albert area and serves more than 9,500 students from kindergarten to Grade 12.

In its June 9, 2020 media release, the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division stated that Jennifer will be starting her new position as the superintendent of schools in August 2020. Jennifer is currently the principal at Brownell School in the Saskatoon Public School Division (SPSD).

Jennifer graduated from SUNTEP Saskatoon in 1996 and has been working as an educator since then. The SUNTEP Saskatoon Class of 1996 included Frank Aubichon – the brother Sheila Pocha. Sheila, who is the current Head of SUNTEP Saskatoon, remembers the SUNTEP graduation that year: “I could see the sparkle in Jennifer’s eyes as she demonstrated a devotion to her Métis culture and the program!”

Jennifer has held various positions including as a teacher and school administrator. Jennifer was the Project Leader for the Okiciyapi Partnership where she facilitated the development of the Working in Harmony: A New Way of Learning and Leading. The teacher resource for K-3, 4-8, 9-12 provides models of how to include Métis and First Nations content in the curriculum. She also served as Learning Leader: First Nations and Métis Education for Saskatoon Public Schools, and as principal of Howard Coad School in Saskatoon.

Sheila, a former educator with the SPSD, noted, “During my years as a principal, I admired Jennifer for her positive work ethic and advocacy for improved educational practises for our Indigenous children in schools. She always demonstrated strong educational leadership in all of these varied leadership roles and was not afraid to speak up on behalf of Indigenous children and staff!”

A passionate educator and proud SUNTEP alumni, Jennifer has mentored many, including her children. Her son, Jayden Hingley, is a student in the SUNTEP Saskatoon.

Jennifer previously represented the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation on the Canadian Teachers’ Federation Advisory Committee on Aboriginal Education. We are very proud of Jennifer and want to wish her the best of congratulations.

Saskatchewan Rivers School Division is the third largest school division in Saskatchewan. It employs over 470 teachers, 370 support personnel, and owns 90 buses that serve over 2,000 students daily.

In 2020, as we mark 40th anniversary of Gabriel Dumont Institute, it is remarkable to note that close to 1,400 Indigenous teachers have graduated from the SUNTEP. Most of the graduates work as teachers, principals, and superintendents. Their influence is being felt not only in the classrooms as teachers, but also in educational leadership and policy across schools and school divisions.

Under the leadership of Geordy McCaffrey, Executive Director, Gabriel Dumont Institute has been able to anticipate and respond effectively to both community needs and the labour market by building and nurturing partnerships that are beneficial to our students and the Métis community. Last year, the Institute launched the new Northern Saskatchewan Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NSITEP) in partnership with the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and the University of Regina in La Ronge, Saskatchewan.

The Institute is looking forward to celebrating the fourth graduation of its Community-based Master of Education program next year. The master’s program is offered by the Institute in Prince Albert in partnership with the University of Regina.

As Geordy McCaffrey, Executive Director, Gabriel Dumont Institute, noted in a radio interview with MBC’s Ken Landers on February 7, 2020, “We remember that there were leaders who did so much before us who did the heavy lifting to ensure that we have a Métis institution. We respect their hard work and sacrifice.”

NT5