Language Teacher

What We Offer

• 3 Weeks Vacation Pay
• Extended Health and Dental Benefits
• Employer Matched Pension Plan
• 15 Statutory Holidays
• Paid Winter Holiday Break
• Cultural Leave
• Discounted Silver Star lift passes
• Retention Bonuses after years of service
• 15 Paid Sick Days
• Paid Personal Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development Opportunities

The Language Teacher is responsible for instructing elementary students (K5-G7) and school staff the nsyilxwcən language and cultural ways of the sqilxw/sylix people. Language and cultural teaching and activities must strengthen children’s sense of identity, culture, and history. The Language Teacher supervises a language and cultural teaching team that includes a language instructor, language assistants and language learners. The position of language teacher aims to foster a learning environment among students and school staff based on sqilxw values, culture, and traditions.

The position will oversee the development of a complete language and cultural curriculum for the school’s elementary level students (K4-G7). The position works closely with the Language program’s instructor, assistants, and learners as well as with teaching staff and other support staff, practicing a team-teaching approach.

• Provides language instruction for the school, including whole class and small groups, using a variety of strategies.
• Oversees the development of a nsyilxwcən language curriculum, rooted in traditional sqilxw cultural practices and knowledge, which creates a progressive learning pathway for all students from K4 to G7 and places students on a trajectory to reach language fluency.
• Shares cultural knowledge and provides a variety of cultural experiences and activities for the school, whole class, and small group.
• Submits and follows a yearly overview inclusive of Land Based Learning principles.
• Develops appropriate Language and Culture (L&C) units and daily lesson plans in consultation with a designated Classroom Teacher.
• Develops teaching resources in collaboration with L&C team and other school staff.
• Coordinates field trips to support L&C learning in consultation with Vice Principal.
• Develops appropriate units and daily lesson plans utilizing traditional techniques such as story, song, photos, cultural activities, conversation, and participation in daily routines.
• Identifies opportunities to integrate language and culture into all aspects of classroom and land-based learning.
• Ensures there are samples of the Okanagan language throughout the school e.g. labeled pictures, labeled classroom articles, etc.
• Assists in managing classroom expectations.
• Practices respectful student/adult interactions.
• Participates in the preparation of the school annual calendar identifying dates for cultural activities, events, and cultural field trips.
• Attends workshops, seminars, conferences, and other professional development activities to keep informed of current trends in education, practices, and curriculum developments related to First Nation education.
• Provides daily language instruction to school staff in supporting their learning and on‑going use of Okanagan language skills.

• Prepares student assessments in L&C learning.
• Maintains records related to student progress.
• Evaluates student learning.
• Provides data (observations, checklists, etc.) to Classroom Teacher for reporting purposes.
• Reviews CT report and provides feedback.
• Sets expectations and provides reminders for student behaviour using our 5 Guiding Principles (respect, listen, do your best, be kind, and always be grateful).
• Communicates and collaborates with Classroom Teachers to address classroom management.
• Assists with supervision as scheduled and requested.
• Maintains confidentiality of all matters relating to the students/families enrolled at our school.
• Coordinates and sets up the L&C workspace each day.
• Maintains a safe and clean workspace each day.
• Meets regularly with the L&C planning team for Language Planning, including weekly, monthly, and yearly planning, as well as unit and lesson plans.
• Participates in yearly planning of school events, identifying opportunities for cultural activities, events,…