Children change our lives.
We're on a quest to change theirs.
Supporting Students to Pursue their Dream
“Attendance has gone up quite a bit since our teachers have come because the kids love coming to school, they love the teachers, they love the attention they get from them.”
Hear Their Stories
Hear from other teachers who have gone North
How we support you, and set you up for success
The Summer Enrichment Program is the cornerstone of Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada’s community-focused preparation program. It is led by Indigenous leaders, northern teachers, and education experts. It helps teachers to learn about the histories and cultures of northern First Nations, to adopt culturally-relevant pedagogies, and to establish effective self-care practices.
The Summer Enrichment Program
Your journey with Gakino'amaage
While working in a remote setting can be challenging, the right type of teacher can thrive and make a positive difference. There are many ways to learn more about your fit with Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada:
- Attend a Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada event or webinar
- Engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn
- Send our team a message
Applications for the 2025 school year are open! Learn more about how to apply here.
When you complete an application, you’ll receive specific dates for your selection process. Here are the general steps:
- Gakino’amaage contacts applicants within 2 weeks of them completing the online application.
- Shortlisted candidates are invited for a 45-minute Teaching Aptitude Interview with members of the Gakino’amaage staff.
- The recruitment team checks references and reviews teaching evaluations.
- Successful candidates will be placed in our Matching Database.
At each stage, teacher applicants will be assessed according to our selection criteria.
Teachers who have passed their Teaching Aptitude Interviews will sign a good-faith agreement stating their intent to go North and attend the Summer Enrichment Program.
This is not a guaranteed offer of employment, but rather, an anticipation of upcoming employment and an assurance to Community Partners of applicant commitment and interest.
Every First Nation and teacher is unique. Our process allows them to connect directly to establish their fit, as follows:
- We provide First Nations Community Partners with an online Matching Database of selected teachers.
- First Nations reach out to teachers they feel would fit well with their school and community for a Community Matching Interview.
- A teacher can interview with a maximum of three communities per 3-week matching cycle.
- After the interview, communities have a week to extend an offer of employment before the teacher becomes available for other communities to contact in the next round of the matching cycle.
An orientation program led by Indigenous leaders, experienced northern teachers, and education experts, the Summer Enrichment Program covers various aspects of teaching in the North:
Focus 1: First Nations cultures and histories
Focus 2: Community, which includes meeting community members
Focus 3: Classroom, including locally/culturally-responsive pedagogy
Learn more about the Summer Enrichment Program.
Teachers will spend 2+ years working in the North during which time they can take advantage of our teacher development program, which includes three types of supports:
- Professional: Support from experienced northern educators on our Teacher Development team, in-person classroom coaching
- Peer: Connect and be part of a community of Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada teachers, both virtually and in-person
- Personal: Regular check-ins with members of the Teacher Development team, access to counsellors who provide individual therapy
Read and watch answers to frequently asked questions about living and teaching in the North.
Minimum Qualifications
- Certified to teach in a Canadian province by July of the year you will teach
- Have legal working status in Canada
- Available to attend our in-person Summer Enrichment Program in July
- Able to relocate and teach full-time in a First Nation in Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, or Saskatchewan in the fall of the year you will teach
