Anyone who wants to live close to nature's beauty and enjoy breathtaking views, amazing wildlife, and a plethora of outdoor activities is sure to be attracted to The Yukon. Home to The Yukon Wildlife Preserve, Miles Canyon, Emerald Lake, and Takhini Hot Springs, Canada's westernmost province is an unforgettable wonderland. It also has a rich cultural history with spots containing the earliest evidence of the presence of humans in North America. What's more, The Yukon offers multiple job opportunities in the educational industry for licensed educators who want to make a difference in shaping the lives of the next generation.

Yukon Education Jobs: What to Expect

There are 28 schools across The Yukon. Eleven of these are part of the First Nation School Board, which empowers Yukon First Nations to work with the Government of Yukon to tailor school programming to meet the needs of Yukon First Nations children. The schools follow the BC Curriculum; however, the way in which lessons are taught and assessments are given are tailored to reflect First Nations values. In addition to academic training, students learn the importance of respect, relationships, learning from the land, honouring ancestors and future generations, equity, inclusion, and land kinship. Learners are also grounded in their identity and the schools encourage and support family involvement in each student's education.

While FNSB schools put a priority on helping students from the Yukon’s 14 First Nations learn about their origins and take pride in their identity, teachers of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and walks of life are welcomed into all educational positions. The board supports all educators as they use their talents and strengths to teach the children in their care. There are plenty of opportunities to collaborate with other educational institutions, even though many schools in the Yukon are in remote areas, because the FNSB aims to establish partnerships with research organizations and post-secondaries. All educational decisions are data and research-driven to ensure children receive a cutting-edge education that will enable them to fulfill their dreams in life.

Yukon Education Jobs: Pay and Benefits

The Yukon has some of the highest teaching salaries in Canada. Salaries start at 79,142 and can go as high as $126,510 if an educator has the required educational qualifications and experience. The Yukon Bonus is $2,248 and there are travel bonuses and Community Allowances. The pension plan is one of the best in Canada, as all educators are part of the Canadian Pension Plan. Health benefits include sick leave, special leave, and strong leave support for educators with a long-term disability. There is also compensation for educators who relocate from outside The Yukon. Educators from a point east of Manitoba receive $10,000, while those in or west of Manitoba province receive $8,000. Educators who take on a job in Old Crow receive additional allowances.

How to Apply

Prospective teachers are evaluated on several criteria. Educators need to put a priority on professional growth and annual growth planning. They will need to be able to apply standards to ensure their teaching aligns with the curriculum's expectations. They will also need to use fair and collaborative processes and show a connection between their research-based educational practices and student learning.

Teachers who did not receive their original teaching certification from an educational institution in The Yukon will need to become certified in the territory by showing a teaching qualification document from another Canadian province or territory. After being hired by a school in The Yukon, a teacher will need to submit a vulnerable sector check. This is done by visiting the local police detachment with two pieces of identification, following the instructions given by the detachment, and bringing the check to the Department of Education's Human Resources Branch in person. Checks are valid for two years and educators must keep their checks current even if the checks expire in the middle of a school year.

Job opportunities abound for teachers, administrators, and other educational professionals who are ready to take up the challenge of moving to The Yukon. These include working as a teacher, First National language teacher, school wellness specialist, administrator, on-call teacher, or educational assistant. While it may take some time to adapt to a rural area and new ways of teaching, your efforts will be more than worth it as you see learners grow academically and emotionally, learn important life skills, and become young adults who can, in turn, use their gifts and talents to make Canada a better place.