Temp Teacher- Yukon First Nations Language & Culture Teacher

Living In Yukon, Thriving in Life

Are you passionate about shaping the future of education in the Yukon? The Department of Education is dedicated to providing high-quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all Yukoners. We are committed to excellence, inclusivity, and innovation in every aspect of our work.

The department plays a crucial role in delivering a wide range of services and supports that span from early learning to adult education and encompass K-12 schooling. We are proud of the diverse team of professionals who collaborate to develop and implement policies, programs and initiatives that promote student success and enhance educational outcomes across the territory.

Whistle Bend Elementary School is a brand new, state of the art, Kindergarten to Grade 7 elementary school, focusing on 21st century learning principals. We are located on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än council. The school is situated in a brand new, rapidly growing, diverse and culturally inclusive subdivision. As Whistle Bend’s first school, the citizens are excited to foster community spirit and nurture the next generation of learners.

We are currently seeking a passionate and knowledgeable individual to join the Whistle Bend Elementary School team as a 1.0 FTE First Nations Language and Culture Teacher. This role is central to bringing Yukon First Nations ways of knowing, doing, and being into our school community. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively with staff and Knowledge Holders to support cultural programming, teach language and traditions, and help foster a deeper understanding and respect for Yukon First Nations perspectives among all students. This is a vital position that helps ensure Indigenous voices, histories, and identities are reflected in our classrooms and school culture.

School: Whistle Bend Elementary

Location: Whitehorse

Position: Temp Teacher

FTE: 1.0

Start Date: August 21, 2025

End Date: June 12, 2025

Assignment: Yukon First Nations Language & Culture Teacher

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Please clearly demonstrate on your cover letter and resume, how you meet the following qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor of Education (or equivalent), or c ompletion of Yukon Native Language Centre certificate/diploma program (or equivalent) ;

• Extensive knowledge and awareness of Yukon First Nations, Kwanlin Dün First Nations, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council culture, traditional practices, values and beliefs, as well as a good understanding of the past and current issues in education, heritage and languages with a view to past, the present and the future;

• Experience incorporating First Nations ways of knowing, doing and being into teaching, learning, and assessment at the elementary level;

• Demonstrated language proficiency (read, write and speak) to deliver the Southern Tutchone, Northern Tutchone and/or Tlingit language and culture program at the elementary school level would be considered an asset;

• Demonstrated understanding of Bruce Perry’s Neuro-Sequential Model for Education (NME) and Ready to Learn School practices would be considered an asset

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND SUITABILITY:

Candidates should have and may be assessed on their:

• Strong interest and ability to teach the Southern Tutchone, Northern Tutchone and/or Tlingit language and culture as a second language;

• Strong classroom management skills;

• Ability to adapt and modify curriculum to address students‘ needs and gifts to ensure that all students experience success in this program;

• Ability to work as a team member and a willingness and enthusiasm to participate in all staff meetings, school wide functions and initiatives, participating in Yukon First Nations Language Teacher professional development;

• Developing collaborative relationships with language professionals at Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, (and other Yukon First Nations) and Yukon Native Language Centre.

• Ability to connect and collaborate with school based staff, parents and/or caregivers;
• Willingness to actively promote Southern Tutchone and culture within school programming and environment

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to establish trusting relationships when working with students, families, staff members and administrators;

• Effective and respectful classroom management based on a developmental understanding of children;

• Strong classroom management that includes implementation of social/emotional pedagogy;

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills working with students, parents, administration, other staff members, consultants and related agencies;

• Knowledge of positive behaviour support, preventative practices and replacement practices, resiliency, the restorative justice framework, trauma-informed care to help guide student learning;

• Ability to integrate experiential learning and adaptive programming to better meet the special needs of students when required;

• Knowledge of & sensitivity to culture and aspirations of Yukon First Nations and a culturally-diverse student population.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Criminal Record/RCMP Check with Vulnerable Sector; to be provided before the first day of employment, dated no more than 3 months prior to your start date
• Yukon Teacher Certification; learn about the certification process
• Yukon First Nations 101 , to be completed at your first opportunity.

For more information about this position, please contact Jeff Cressman, Principal of WBES, at Jeff.Cressman@yukon.ca.

If you have questions about our recruitment process or what rewarding career opportunities are available within the Department of Education, please contact: Karnika Bains, Human Resources Consultant at,

For more information about Yukon, visit

Please do not submit your transcripts of Criminal Record checks as part of your application. We will reach out to successful candidates to request these during the onboarding process