Educators Responding to Rapid Demographic Change in New Brunswick: “It is not Inclusion if They Are Just Sitting in the Desk”

New Brunswick has experienced a decline in population in recent years. Successive governments are attempting to increase its population through various population and economic strategies, including immigration. Our research investigates how New Brunswick educators and school leaders are responding to the demographic changes in their schools and communities. Guided by constructivist epistemology, we analyzed qualitative data (i.e. surveys, focus group and individual interviews, public policy and school documentation, and extensive field notes) from case studies in two New Brunswick high schools in neighboring communities that confronted rapid demographic change the past five years. Six main themes were constructed from the data sources we analyzed. The themes are further described and relate to: Educational Challenges; Stress and Anxiety; The School Environment; The Education System; Sustainable Professional Development; and Fostering Positive Relationships. From these themes, we construct several suggestions for better pedagogical and leadership practices in demographically changing schools in New Brunswick. As New Brunswick continues to welcome people from all over the world, it is imperative that educators, school leaders, public policy-makers, and community members work closely and collaboratively to support population and economic growth in all sectors, and ensure all new Canadians feel welcome and a sense of belonging within the province. Key words: New Brunswick, Immigration, Demographic Change, Diversity, Intercultural Leadership, Citizenship Education, Social Justice, Social Action La population du Nouveau-Brunswick a connu un déclin au cours des dernières années. Les gouvernements successifs tentent d'augmenter sa population par diverses stratégies démographiques et économiques, dont l'immigration. Notre recherche examine la réaction des éducateurs et des dirigeants scolaires du Nouveau-Brunswick aux changements démographiques dans leurs écoles et leurs communautés. Guidés par l'épistémologie constructiviste, nous avons analysé des données qualitatives (c'est-à-dire des sondages, des entretiens individuels et de groupe, de la documentation sur les politiques publiques et les écoles, et des notes détaillées prises sur le terrain) provenant d'études de cas dans deux écoles secondaires du Nouveau-Brunswick situées dans des communautés voisines qui ont été confrontées à un changement démographique rapide au cours des cinq dernières années. Six thèmes