Our Approach

Education in Canada is a success story. Study after study shows that our public schools are among the best in the world. But high overall quality masks deep inequality. Only 48 percent of First Nations youth living on reserve have a high school diploma. In the North, those numbers are even lower. And, too often, teachers arrive in northern First Nations without the preparation and support they need to succeed—and stay—in the classroom. The twin challenges of teacher supply and turnover compound historical injustice and systemic inequities to produce a statistical education gap between First Nations and non-First Nations communities.

Gakino'amaage: Teach For Canada is a non-profit organization that works with northern First Nations to recruit, prepare, and support committed teachers who will increase student outcomes in the North. This model has been defined by First Nations Community Partners, our Circle of Advisors, our Board of Directors, and experienced northern educators.

Our Culture

Gakino'amaage: Teach For Canada has a supportive work culture and offers a variety of benefits to its team members, including 4-weeks of annual vacation that increases with tenure, pension plan, access to mental wellness supports, flexible hours, and team-wide professional development opportunities. In addition to these perks and benefits, Gakino'amaage: Teach For Canada also honours National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation as statutory holidays, and the last week of every calendar year is paid time off, too!

On our team, we are fortunate to have a committed, experienced, talented, and humble group of leaders. Together, this team works hard to create meaningful impact. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, innovative, energizing, and rewarding work environment, we want to hear from you!

Your Responsibilities

Northern First Nations are dedicated to hiring well-suited Canadian-certified teachers to support student success. The Teacher Recruitment department recruits, selects, and facilitates a matching (hiring) process between First Nations Community Partners and teachers. As the Director of Teacher Recruitment, you will report to the Vice President of Programs and will lead the following responsibilities:

• Full-Cycle Teacher Recruitment Management: Oversee all stages of teacher recruitment, from outreach to matching, to meet ambitious targets. This includes developing departmental objectives, managing budgets, improving processes, updating materials, and utilizing tools to track progress.
• Data-Driven Strategy Development: Create and implement data-driven recruitment strategies that respond dynamically to return on investment (ROI) metrics. You will analyze key data to refine approaches and pivot recruitment efforts to achieve organizational goals and maintain high-quality standards.
• Responsive Recruitment Practices: Stay abreast of industry trends, and continuously revise strategies to adapt to changing demands and community needs, particularly ensuring responsiveness to feedback and needs from First Nations Community Partners.
• Community-Centered Approach: Work closely with First Nations to ensure recruitment practices are inclusive, culturally relevant, and support community-driven hiring goals. Regularly integrate input from Community Partners into the recruitment strategy to strengthen relationships, refine recruitment efforts, and enhance the teacher-matching process.
• Education Assistant Program Recruitment: Lead recruitment efforts for the Education Assistant Program, fostering professional development opportunities for community members, and supporting their educational and career growth.
• Northern Practicum Program Recruitment: Oversee the recruitment and support placement of B.Ed. students within First Nations as part of the Northern Practicum Program, ensuring alignment with both community needs and educational outcomes.
• Student and Alum Ambassador Programs: Manage and grow the Student and Alum Ambassador Programs, which contribute to building a strong talent acquisition channel for certified teachers.
• University and School Board Partnerships: Build and maintain partnerships with universities, colleges, and school boards to create a consistent and diverse talent pool of qualified candidates.
• Technology and Metrics Management: Lead the use of technology (Salesforce, Qualtrics, ClickUp, Dropbox, Mailchimp, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Power Bi, Google Workspace) to track program metrics, analyze data, and report on performance to senior management. Use insights to drive continuous improvement in recruitment practices and efficiency.
• Team Leadership and Development: Manage and mentor the teacher recruitment and selection team, which includes four full-time managers, two full-time coordinators, a contracted reference checker, and a university volunteer student. Provide leadership to ensure the department’s goals are met and staff are supported in their professional growth.
• Policy Compliance and Best Practices: Revise and update departmental practices, procedures, and policies to remain in line with legal requirements, best practices, and evolving community feedback.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work closely with other departments to ensure alignment and maximize the collective impact of Gakino’amaage’s teacher recruitment efforts.
• Additional Responsibilities: Perform other job-related duties as needed to ensure the success of the Teacher Recruitment Department and its alignment with organizational goals.

Required Experience

• 5+ years of leadership experience in talent cycle recruitment (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years managing personnel, with demonstrated skill in leading and coaching a high-performing team.
• Proficiency with CRM and data management software to collect, analyze, and act on data that tracks towards outcomes.
• Experience teaching in a northern First Nation would be a strong asset.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Your Fit

• You are respectful of Indigenous cultures and histories: You deeply respect the histories, cultures, and goals of Indigenous communities in Canada.
• You are results-focused: You enjoy setting goals, creating actionable plans, and being held accountable for outcomes. You reflect on results to continually improve.
• You are results-focused: You enjoy setting goals, creating actionable plans, and being held accountable for outcomes. You reflect on results to continually improve.
• You are relationship-oriented: You build relationships with ease and you engage others around you.
• You are a strong communicator: You communicate well with others in person and through digital interfaces.
• You are highly organized: You have strong time management skills and prioritize to plan effectively and meet competing deadlines.

Application Process

To begin your application, please submit your resume and cover letter. The hiring process consists of a three-part interview and an in-person office experience.

Equity, Accessibility, and Indigenous Integrity

Gakino'amaage: Teach For Canada is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. As an organization that works in partnership with First Nations, we value Indigenous perspectives in the workplace and strongly encourage Indigenous candidates to apply.

We also welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request throughout all stages of the hiring process.

To uphold the integrity of Indigenous identity claims, Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada will request substantiating documentation from successful candidates who self-identify as Indigenous and are selected for the position.