Teacher Journey
When it comes to student success, teachers matter. Whether in the classroom, community, or the outdoors, Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada teachers work alongside northern First Nations to support students. Go North 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 2024 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: Teach For Canada contacts applicants within 2 weeks of them completing the online application.
- Shortlisted candidates are invited for a 20-minute phone interview with a member of our recruitment team.
- Finalists are interviewed by leaders from First Nations Community Partners.
- The recruitment team checks references and reviews teaching evaluations.
At each stage, teacher applicants will be assessed according to our selection criteria.
Once selected, teachers sign a good-faith agreement with Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada. This agreement signifies that the teacher intends to teach in a northern First Nation through the Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada program. Teachers also share their work and life preferences for the community matching process at this time. Preferences include size of community, need for day care, and extracurricular interests.
Every First Nation and teacher is unique. Our process allows them to connect directly to establish their fit, as follows:
- We provide partner First Nations with an online database of selected teachers.
- Community leadership reviews teachers’ skills, education, interview videos, and preferences.
- First Nations reach out to teachers who they feel would fit well with their specific school and community.
- Teachers and community leaders then discuss the mutual fit. Sometimes a teacher receives offers from more than one First Nation.
- Teachers accept an offer from a First Nation.
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
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.
Many Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada teachers will stay in the classroom after their initial two-year commitment in the North. Others will return to university, get teaching positions in school boards, or pursue other interests. In either case, they will become alumni of the Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada program. We engage alumni on a regular basis to continue the movement to make education more equal.
Next Steps
