Living In Yukon, Thriving in Life
Our goal is to support all learners in developing the essential skills, knowledge and personal qualities that they need to thrive 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.
Elijah Smith Elementary School is a Kindergarten to Grade 7 elementary school, located on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än council. We pride ourselves on integrating on the land learning and social-emotional learning into the curriculum.
We are seeking a passionate, skilled, and reflective educator to join the team at Elijah Smith Elementary School, a dynamic K–7 school in Whitehorse that prioritizes inclusion, relationships, and culturally grounded learning. This role is ideal for a teacher committed to supporting neurodiverse learners, including students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and who values and integrates Yukon First Nations ways of knowing, doing, and being.
Elijah Smith Elementary School serves a diverse student population and is deeply committed to a whole-child approach to learning. The school’s work is grounded in Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model in Education (NME) and Ready to Learn practices, with a strong focus on student regulation, belonging, and engagement as the foundation for academic success. Staff work collaboratively to support students with a wide range of learning and behavioural needs, and there is a shared commitment to inclusive, team-based problem solving.
The school has a strong and ongoing relationship with Kwanlin Dün First Nation, and is committed to embedding Yukon First Nations perspectives, values, and cultural practices into daily learning. Experiential and land-based learning are central to the school’s approach, with students regularly engaging in hands-on, place-based opportunities that connect learning to the land, community, and culture.
This position involves working with students with complex learning and regulation needs, requiring flexibility, resilience, and a strong commitment to inclusive education.
Please submit your resume clearly demonstrating how you meet the following qualifications. Emphasize how your work experiences and related duties align with the qualifications listed below. Please note that our selection is based solely on the information you provide in your application. For more information on how to prepare and submit your resume visit, we encourage you to review the resource page on
School: Elijah Smith Elementary School
Location: Whitehorse
Position: Temporary Teacher
FTE: 1.0
Start Date: August 20, 2026
End date: June 11, 2027
Assignment: Grade 5 / 6
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Please clearly demonstrate on your cover letter and resume, how you meet the following qualifications and experience:
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Bachelor of
Education or equivalent in Elementary Education or Middle Years Education;
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Teaching experience in an intermediate classroom with students
performing at a wide range of achievement levels and diverse learning styles,
including multiple students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Student
Learning Plans (SLPs), and Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs);
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Demonstrated success supporting
students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodiverse learners
with complex needs;
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Teaching experience in
the use of current, research-based practices for literacy and numeracy
learning;
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Strong ability to design and deliver differentiated,
responsive instruction informed by ongoing assessment to meet a wide range of
academic, developmental, and regulation needs;
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Demonstrated understanding and
application of Neurosequential Model in Education (NME) / Ready to Learn
practices, including creating regulation-supportive environments and
recognizing that behaviour is communication;
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Experience with integration of social
and emotional learning throughout classroom programming would be considered an
asset;
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Specialization or
coursework in autism spectrum disorder and experience working with
neuro-diverse students would be considered an asset.
DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND SUITABILITY:
Candidates should have and may be assessed on their:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to establish trusting relationships when working with students, families, staff members and administrators;
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Effective and respectful classroom management based on a developmental understanding of children;
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Strong planning and organizational skills;
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Is calm, flexible, and responsive in complex classroom environments;
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A strong commitment to the practice of differentiated instruction and assessment within classroom programming designed to meet individual student needs;
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Ability to adapt curriculum to meet a wide range of learning abilities and styles and to meet the needs of students with Individual Education Plans;
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Ability to develop and implement Individual Educational Plan and Student Behavioural Plans in collaboration with school staff;
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Willingness and ability to work as a member of a professional team and to promote, support and work collaboratively with all staff on school initiatives within the total school program;
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Willingness to support the philosophy, values and beliefs of the school and to support the school growth plan;
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A knowledge of & sensitivity to the culture & aspirations of the First Nations people of Yukon & a culturally diverse student population
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
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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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
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To be a Teacher in Yukon, you must hold a Teacher Certification in another Canadian province/territory first;
- Successful applicants will be required to undergo a Criminal Record Check including a Vulnerable Sector Check.
- If you are a permanent (indeterminate) teacher in a Yukon school, you will need to seek permission from your Superintendent to apply on this temporary job.
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Relocation may be available.
For more information about this position, please contact: Jim Snider, Principal at
If you have questions about our recruitment process or what rewarding career opportunities are available within the Department of Education, please contact: Devi Prasad K S, HR Consultant,
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.
