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School Overview
Bella Bella Community School, accredited as a BC Ministry of Education Independent School and certified with the First Nations Schools Association, opened its doors over 40 years ago as one of the first band-operated schools in BC.
Why teach at bella Bella Community School?
Our mission statement, created collaboratively with school staff, students, Board members and the community is: ” to develop in a just, caring, and respectful environment, students who are independent and life-long learners, incorporating our community traditions and culture with the acquisition of skills needed to succeed in both the traditional and modern worlds.” We bring this statement to life each day through our actions.
School & Community Culture
The Haíɫzaqv people were renowned along the coast for their canoe-building skills, and in 1986 community leaders built a traditional seagoing canoe outside the school. They paddled the canoe to Vancouver for Expo ’86. This began Tribal Journeys, a resurgence of the canoe culture along the coast. As a school, we aim to “paddle” or work together for the benefit of our students: Mņúxvs Nuáqi, which means “One heart, one mind.”
Our school
The school is a two-minute walk from the teacherages, and once there you’ll meet our friendly office staff who will answer any questions you might have about our beautiful school. BBCS has 300 students from K4-Gr 12. We focus on learning and provide plenty of resources to support teaching, including a SMART board in each classroom and Chromebooks for students from grades 4 through 12.
Bella Bella Community School incorporates land-based education through the Heiltsuk Language and Culture program and through SEAS (Supporting Emerging Aboriginal Stewards). These programs bring together school staff, mentors, community organizations and educational partners to provide opportunities for students to learn about and directly experience the lands, waters and harvest cycles of their traditional Haíɫzaqv territories. Educational assistants support our teachers and students in classrooms. Everyone goes home for lunch at noon for an hour, a chance to touch base with family and refresh.
Our community
Bella Bella is located on BC’s Central Coast in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. Our island community is accessible by BC Ferries from Port Hardy or Prince Rupert and by daily flights from Vancouver. Nestled on the inside passage, you can sometimes spot whales from shore and eagles and ravens abound. Although small, many amenities in Bella Bella are available, including a coffee shop, hospital with three full-time doctors, a pharmacy, a well-stocked grocery store, post office, liquor store, a fitness centre, an amazing Indigenous-owned gift shop, a library and other smaller shops.
You can hop on the seabus and visit Shearwater, a 20-minute ride away where there is a resort with a restaurant. The Haíɫzaqv recently purchased the Shearwater property and there are stores to visit there as well. Bella Bella is a progressive, friendly Indigenous community that has recently built a beautiful Big House where cultural events happen that are open to all. The community is well known for its hospitality. The Haíɫzaqv have successfully entered into Reconciliation Agreements with the federal and provincial governments that have created more employment, a strong language revitalization program and other benefits to the community.
Draw for Employees
Why you’ll love it here
Surrounded by ocean and forest, there is an abundance of opportunities for residents to engage in: hiking, boating, fishing, sea kayaking. As well, there are multiple opportunities to engage with the rich cultural traditions of the Heiltsuk in the new Bighouse.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Over the years, the Board and staff have created a solid and generous professional development program – overseen by a committee – that includes funding for in-house professional development and an application process to attend workshops in the province.
Other perks include a competitive salary, excellent benefits package, subsidized furnished accommodation, a relocation allowance, a signing bonus, two round-trip airfares to Vancouver per school year and a bonus sick day package.
Application Requirements
Please email the following documents to Brenda Humchitt at brendahumchitt@gmail.com cover letter, resume, scan of certification or confirmation of BC teaching application, scan of official university transcripts, scan of degree(s) earned, results of a recent Criminal Record Check & Vulnerable Sector Check, and a minimum of three professional references.