Small Classes, Strong Culture, Big Impact: Teach at Tsay Keh Dene School
With its unique location in a fly-in, fly-out community, surrounded by mountains and nature on the banks of Williston Lake, the Tsay Keh Dene School is set on one of the most beautiful backdrops you can have for starting or continuing your career as a B.C. teacher.
The school is home to 36 students who range in age from kindergarten to Grade 12, ensuring classes are small enough that you can make a true one-to-one impact with your students.
COMMUNITY CULTURE
Located on the Tsay Keh Dene Nation band lands, the school was the first in the province to be certified by the First Nations Schools Association (FNSA) run by a First Nation and the connection to its community runs deep.
"We teach the B.C. curriculum along with Sekani teachings and land-based education," said Gary Frey, the principal at Tsay Keh Dene School. "Teachers are encouraged to provide input into the programming if they feel a facet of the pedagogy is missing."
The Band (Tsay Keh Dene means "People of the Mountain"), which is one of the Sekani bands of B.C.'s northern interior, sees connecting with its history and keeping its language alive as vital for its community and youth.
"The traditional language is Sekani," Frey says. "Few people know it; however, it is taught daily to students by community elders."
DRAW FOR EMPLOYEES
With six teachers, a principal and vice principal on staff, teaching at Tsay Keh Dene means you'll be working in a unique environment, working as a team and collaborating with your colleagues daily.
Classrooms are equipped with smartboards and new teachers are connected with support systems and resources from day one.
"There are also opportunities for professional development through services and training, in the community" Frey adds. "The staff orders supplies together, makes educational decisions involving curricula, has celebrations together and supports one another in times of need."
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Teaching at Tsay Keh Dene School means you'll be working in a remote area; however, the Band pays for fully furnished housing that includes internet and utilities, as well as covering the costs of transporting your personal items to the area each fall.
Salaries range from $60,000-90,000 yearly and teachers also receive the same benefits package as those working in the public system, with healthcare — which includes massage, chiropractic, naturopathic, orthopedic, vision, dental and prescription coverage — covered as well as pension contributions matched by the band.
One more additional perk unique to teaching here, the Tsay Keh Dene band will pay for flights home three times each school year scheduled around breaks. You'll get to visit home in December, March and June, with the band also covering the cost of the flight back to the Nation in time for school in August.
"My favourite thing about working here is the staff and students," Frey says. "The students are friendly and cooperative, and the staff is very supportive."
Connect with us today to find out more about teaching at Tsay Keh Dene and living in B.C.'s gorgeous northern interior.
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