Tell us about yourself and the journey that led you to become a leader and mentor of the Catholic faith and education.
Jackie: I was raised Roman Catholic and attended Roman Catholic schools. Even though teaching was never on my radar, I enrolled at Brock University and obtained a BA in Psychology. After that, I started a daycare and volunteered in the community, which made me realize my passion for teaching and empowering people. I then went to Teachers College and obtained my master’s in science of education from Niagara University. I was hired by the Niagara Catholic District School Board even before I completed my program. I started as a Long-Term Occasional Teacher and became a permanent teacher, specializing in teaching intermediates. During my teaching career, I obtained additional qualifications in religion and guidance. I also gained experience in equity, diversity, and community relations. I served as an acting Principal and Vice-Principal before accepting a permanent Vice-Principal position. After three years, I became the Principal at St. James and now at St. Nicholas.
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Did you face any barriers to becoming a Catholic administrator?
Jackie: At Niagara Catholic, I never felt discriminated against. I always placed a great deal of pressure on myself to succeed in every aspect of my life. My grandmother once advised me that, as a black individual, I needed to exceed expectations and essentially be ten times better than my white counterparts just to be perceived as equal. This advice stuck with me, and it instilled in me a constant need to present myself with clarity and confidence. I never dwelled on perceived challenges; instead, I persevered and focused on my work. With time, I realized that I was my own harshest critic and that others were not judging me as much as I had believed. As I grew more assured in myself, I came to understand that as a black woman, I had an immense amount to offer to my students, peers, and the community. I began to see myself as a role model for achievement. Now, in a diverse school, I am grateful for the opportunity to embody a profound model for success as a black woman. My journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination, and I hope it inspires others to never give up on their dreams.
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What does Black Excellence and Heritage mean to you?
Jackie: I believe it's important to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black people throughout history. While I appreciate the recognition of Black History Month by the government and school boards, I think it's limiting to confine the discussion of Black history to just one month. Rather than focusing solely on the oppression and slavery of Black individuals, we should also highlight their successes and positive contributions to society. Renaming it Black Heritage and Excellence allows for a more comprehensive and continuous examination of Black culture. It's important to recognize that the term "Black" encompasses a wide range of cultures and backgrounds, and we should celebrate the diversity within the Black community. I'm glad that the Ministry and Catholic Board have made this shift from Black History to Black Heritage, as it represents a significant step forward.
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Who has been your biggest inspiration as a black Catholic administrator?
Jackie: My biggest inspiration comes from many different sources. I am greatly inspired by the children I teach, the articles I read, and many other things that revitalize me and help me grow. One of my inspirations is seeing the diverse group of children in my kindergarten class at St. Nicholas Catholic School playing together without any sense of prejudice based on skin colour. It's inspiring to see that children aren't born with racism or prejudices.
I'm also inspired when I see my older students having conversations about black history and important current events affecting the black community. It's very inspiring to see that our children are willing to have these conversations.
If I had to pick one person I truly admire, it would be Eleanor Roosevelt. I've always admired her strength and how she used her privilege and wealth to support various causes, such as civil rights for African Americans, Asians, and World War veterans. Eleanor Roosevelt understood the importance of promoting and accepting people of all races and used her voice as a co-conspirator to advocate for them.
One particular story about Eleanor Roosevelt that stood out to me was when she visited the Tuskegee Air Force Base and insisted on going for a plane ride with one of the African American pilots, known as the Tuskegee Airmen. This action demonstrated to the world that the black airmen were making significant contributions and accomplishments, and Eleanor Roosevelt played a pivotal role in making that known.
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What has been the most profound event from your history or even black Canadian history that resonates with you today?
Jackie: You know, I've experienced racism while growing up in downtown St. Catharines. I've experienced it in direct and overt ways. I remember walking down Niagara Street one day to go downtown St. Catharines, and a bus was passing by. A little boy had his head out the window and shouted the n-word at me. I was taken aback and wondered why he did that. I also felt uneasy thinking about what people on the bus thought. This happened over 45 years ago, but I still think about it. Other experiences were not as obvious. I was the only black child in my school. My cousin was there for a while, but he left after four years, and I was still there. For instance, everyone would exchange cards on Valentine's Day, but I often didn't receive any. Other kids said their parents only bought enough cards for the number of students, so sorry, I couldn't get one. Looking back, I feel like it was because I was the only black child in the class. Little things like this happened in junior high and high school as well. I was the only black person until a black boy transferred into the school. People approached me and said, "Oh, good! Now you have someone to date." All these experiences have had a significant impact on me, making me realize that racism and biases are still present, and there is a lot of work to be done to change this. I believe these experiences have shaped who I am today, and I am committed to using my experiences to help bring about change.
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Are we doing enough to teach black history in Catholic schools?
Jackie: As of a week ago (February 2024), I would have said that we are not doing enough, but the Ministry of Education has just announced that starting September 2025, they will be introducing black history into the curriculum for grades 7, 8, and 10. While this is definitely a step in the right direction, I am curious to see the specifics of what will be included. I hope that it will go beyond focusing solely on the struggles and oppression of slavery and will be thoroughly vetted by relevant stakeholders. It's positive to see the Ministry and School Boards promoting black history, but I also hope that it won't be limited to just being taught in February during Black History Month. Ideally, it should be integrated throughout the entire academic year. The Ministry has also issued resources on anti-black racism, which can assist teachers in advancing their understanding and teaching of black history. I also hope that these initiatives are being implemented at the university level to ensure that educators are equipped with the necessary knowledge when entering the school system.