Principal

Is seeking a Principal for the 2024-2025 school year

Our gorgeous school perched atop Sk'il' Mountain

"Live and teach by the Lakes!"

*Please note that we are only able to consider certified or certifiable administrators who have working rights in Canada at the time of application*

Summary:

Skil Mountain Community School was opened in October 2000 and operated in partnership with the Gold Trail School District until transitioning to a fully Band-operated school in 2021. Our school is currently operating a Pre-K to Grade 7 program with class sizes of approximately 15 students and a dedicated EA in each room. Tsalalh operates Skil Mountain Community School following the BC school curriculum, with support and resources from FNESC and FNSA.

Tsal'alh is nestled along Anderson and Seton Lakes in between Pemberton and Lillooet

Tsal'alh is a semi-remote First Nations Community located in the Interior Region of BC. Tsal'alh has approximately 340 residents on reserve and is located about 65 km away from both Pemberton and Lillooet, BC.

Tsal'alh, which is located in areas more well known as Shalalth and Seton Portage, is nestled around 2 beautiful lakes and surrounded by scenic mountains. Our community is accessible year-round by service road, weather permitting, with the nearest towns being Lillooet and Pemberton (both are a 90 minute drive away). Tsal'alh is a 3.5-to-4-hour drive away from either Kamloops (east) or Vancouver (west).

90 minutes drive to both Pemberton and Lillooet via service roads

As the senior member of the schools instructional and administrative team, the Principal is primarily responsible for the overall administration and operation of the Skil Mountain Community School in a manner that is consistent with Tsal'alh culture. The Principal is an energetic, professional, creative, adventurous, school leader who will oversee the implementation of community priorities, educational programs and plans and will collaborate with Tsal'alh Administrator and Tsal'alh Chief and Council and the FNSA.

Modern classrooms with smart boards, one to one computers, and an abundance of natural light

Duties and Responsibilities:

Establishing and promoting high standards and expectations for all students and staff for academic performance and behaviour.

Managing, evaluating and implementing effective and clear procedures for the operation and functioning of the school, consistent with the culture of community and following School policy and procedures manual (cultural activities calendar is available at Tsal'alh Government Office).

Responsible for supervising/hiring/coaching/discharging instructional and administrational staff, including teachers, education assistants, school secretary, custodians, cooks, and bus driver.

Establishing procedures for the selection and evaluation of instructional materials, curriculum and instructional equipment, including those required for St'at'imc Language and Cultural instruction.

Establishing professional rapport and building respect with students, staff, parents and the community by displaying a very high level of professionalism and ethics.

Keeping Tsal'alh Administrator, Chief and Council advised of pertinent issues, meeting monthly or bimonthly as required.

Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all students, staff and visitors, and establish procedures that create and maintain an attractive, organized, clean and functional facility.

Establishing processes, such as meetings, that ensure collaboration and the sharing of information between teachers, parents and the community.

Working together with Tsal'alh Education Coordinator on various education initiatives and community outreach as needed.

Maintaining visibility with students, teachers, parents, Council and the community.

Maintaining required records and ensuring privacy and security of records.

Preparing a variety of written and financial reports, including FNESC reports, TEFA reports, internal reports, nominal role, school budgets, invoice coding, and reciprocal tuition.

Ability to teach in classroom if required as teacher or substitute.

Walking to the lake to see the salmon spawning

Required Skills and Abilities:

Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Creative, adventurous and strong leadership skills.

Commitment to high standards of professionalism and academic excellence.

Sensitivity and empathy.

Excellent knowledge and focus on instructional leadership, improvement of student learning, development of collaboration-based school culture, and inclusion of complex learners.

Demonstrated ability to listen well and communicate effectively both orally and in writing with discretion, tact, courtesy, and professionalism.

Ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, parents and the community.

Ability to work effectively as part of a team and get along well with others.

Ability to work independently with demonstrated initiative.

Dependable and reliable.

Our students made puppets from recycled materials and then put on a show in our drum circle

Required Education, Experience, Certifications and Licenses:

BC Teacher Regulation Branch certification and membership.

A Masters Degree or equivalent in a relevant field (or demonstrated commitment to obtain Masters Degree)

Experience in senior leadership in a school setting.

Experience working with First Nations students or schools is preferred.

An understanding and appreciation of First Nations, specifically, St'at'imc culture and history.

Hours of Work:

Full-time, 35 hours a week. Normal hours are 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. On Fridays the school is open from 8:00 am to 12:15 pm to allow teachers and families to deal with shopping and other needs in Lillooet or Pemberton during business hours.

Crane Hall is a multi-purpose gym and gathering area

Facilities:

Each classroom has a Smart Board, one to one computer access, and subscriptions to educational sites such as IXL.com

Our school has a reasonably well-stocked library full of age appropriate books for our students.

Our well-equipped gymnasium and maintained field area along with nearby trails for nature walks allow us to promote physical literacy at our school.

A game of field ball on a gorgeous autumn day

Other Requirements:

All employees are required to comply with all Personnel Policies including, but not limited to the Code of Conduct Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Employment Policy and Conflict of Interest Policy.

We love welcoming visitors! Science World On The Road came to our school to inspire a love for Science.

Remuneration:

Although we are an independent First Nations Schools Association school we strive to achieve salary parity with our neighbouring School District 74.

Tsal'alh has affordable housing units available to rent.

The view from one of our affordable rentals

The following documents need to be kept up to date, and on file:

Teaching Certification including a Teacher Certification Branch "L Number"

Questions and expressions of interest can be directed to Rob Tardif at principal@skilmountaincs.ca