As Niagara’s diverse population continues to grow, so does Niagara Catholic’s diverse student population.
The 2021 Census Profile for Niagara compiled by Statistics Canada for the St. Catharines-Niagara metropolitan area shows Niagara’s population at 433,604 residents, with 59,020 identified as racialized members of the community. Of those 59,000 Niagara residents who counted themselves as members of the racialized community,12,785 self-identified as Black.
That’s a 6.8 per cent population increase from the 2016 Census data, which showed St. Catharines-Niagara with a population of 406,074, where 37,015 people identified as visible minorities (the term used at the time) and 7,705 people self-identified as Black.
What that means is that as Niagara’s communities continue to become more diverse, it is increasingly important to ensure that Black experiences and excellence are learned about in classrooms and that Black and racialized students see someone who looks like them in front of the room.
As Niagara Catholic’s only Black administrator, Jacqueline Watson, principal of St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School in downtown St. Catharines, is very familiar with the challenges faced by students in her schools and is uniquely poised to support racialized students to achieve their full potential.
Watson was the guest on a recent podcast by the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario (CPCO), speaking about the importance of promoting Black heritage and excellence in schools with her colleague, St. Denis Catholic Elementary School’s principal Victoria Wegelin, a CPCO Ambassador. The interview took place in February 2024 during Black History Month in Canada and was released by the CPCO in September.
During their conversation, they touched on Watson’s childhood, and about her path to becoming a Catholic educator and administrator.
Watson attended school in Niagara Catholic’s preceding board the Lincoln County Separate School Board and attended Brock University, obtaining a BA in Psychology. She ran a daycare, worked as a counsellor for abused women and children, and volunteered in the community, which ignited her passion for education.
Watson returned to school to attend Niagara University’s Faculty of Education and was hired by Niagara Catholic before she even completed the program. She went from being a long-term occasional teacher to a classroom teacher, vice-principal, and then principal.
Watson was also Niagara Catholic’s Equity, Diversity and Community Relations Consultant from 2009-2013.
Things have changed since Watson was the only racialized student in her school in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Now leading a school with a diverse and often economically challenged student population, Watson has lived the experience many of her students and meets them where they are on their journey.
But it wasn’t always easy. She recalls the overt hostility in the community, like having racial slurs shouted at her from buses as she walked down a main street in her hometown of St. Catharines. Then there’s the sting of microaggressions, like being the only child not to receive a card on Valentine’s Day, presumably because of the colour of her skin.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
“My grandmother once advised me that, as a Black individual, I needed to exceed expectations and essentially be 10 times better than my white counterparts just to be perceived as equal,” Watson told Wegelin. “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.
Then the conversation turned to how best to share the Black experience in the classroom, to ensure that students understand that being Black is about far more than oppression, and there is a great deal to celebrate all year, not just in February.
“I believe it's important to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black people throughout history,” Watson said. “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.”
Wegelin said learning about her colleague’s journey to becoming a Catholic administrator gave her new perspective about the experiences of Black leaders.
“It was truly an enlightening experience to listen to Jackie's insights, experiences growing up and her journey to becoming a leader,” said Wegelin. “Jackie has a strong voice, and I am happy that she was able to share her valuable message with others. She is a true role model for all of her students at St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School.”
"Jackie embodies the ideals of the Niagara Catholic District School Board in our shared journey of equity, inclusion, and cultural humility,” said Adele Filice, President of Niagara Catholic’s Executive. “She models what culturally relevant pedagogy can look, sound, and feel like in our classrooms and schools. Principal Watson reminds all educators that we must not only leverage equity for racialized, oppressed, and marginalized students, but we must also provide invitations and opportunities to celebrate diversity and the contributions of all groups to our common humanity. Jackie creates safe spaces for identity-building and tears down systemic barriers to student achievement, engagement, and wellness."
Read the CPCO blog post here, and watch their conversation on YouTube here.