- Be immersed as an educator in our vibrant community while honouring our heritage
- Receive a competitive annual salary of $76,693 to $107,903 plus full benefits & free accommodations
- Don't miss this chance to mentor the future leaders of Sandy Lake
About Sandy Lake First Nation
Neh gaaw saga'igan is the local translation of Sandy Lake, where the people traditionally and continues to live off the abundance of land as hunters and gatherers. Though wild game is still a staple in the diets of many, today the people of Sandy Lake enjoy games and sports such as hockey, volleyball, softball, taekwondo, golf, and other modern sports.
Located 450 km northeast of Winnipeg and 600 km northwest of Thunder Bay, we are a remote, fly-in First Nation community located in the boreal forested area of Northwestern Ontario along the Severn River. Beautiful landscapes surround our community, giving our people the opportunity for outdoor and social activities all-year-round. In the summer, we go hunting, hiking, kayaking, and fishing. In the winter, we go ice fishing, play ice hockey, and marvel at the beautiful northern lights above our open skies. Getting in and out of Sandy Lake is very convenient, with daily flights chartered by Wasaya Airways and Perimeter Aviations, from multiple cities and towns in Winnipeg and Ontario.
For more information about our vibrant community please visit our website by clicking here.
About the Opportunities
Currently, the Sandy Lake Board of Education has an exciting opportunity for a Special Education Teacher to join our school in Sandy Lake, Ontario, for the 2026/2027 school year:
The successful candidates must relocate to Sandy Lake for the duration of the term, fully immersing in the community to better serve and understand our students' needs.
With the help of the support staff, your role is to assess, provide guidance, and encourage students while also developing lesson plans and relevant curricula.
The scope of your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Supporting students who have special needs, providing one-on-one learning, and leading students in activities to help with their socialization and development
- Planning and preparing lessons in relation to individual students' needs and examination syllabi
- Encouraging all students to participate and take part in school activities
- Instructing in a manner that develops students' confidence in their abilities
- Observing and managing classroom dynamic
- Attending and participating in parent-teacher and faculty conferences
- Taking part in community events and culture
- Incorporating our culture and community activities into the curriculum and classroom teaching
About You
To qualify for this position, you will ideally have an Ontario teaching certificate.
Candidates with non-Ontario teaching certificate, or are in the middle of obtaining an Ontario certificate, may still be considered.
We also require a completion (or close to completion) of a Special Education Specialist course, on top of the Ontario teaching certificate. This is a challenging yet rewarding role that requires empathy, creativity, and the desire to have a positive impact on our students with special needs.
As Sandy Lake's faculty member, you must possess a detail-oriented mindset, with excellent problem-solving and instructional skills. Most importantly, your success in engaging students using unique approaches in teaching, will inspire you to mentor them at their fullest potential.
In addition, you will have knowledge of culturally responsive teaching practices, exceptional communication skills, and a natural aptitude for bringing out the best in your students.
Sandy Lake School, a First Nations community school, integrates Indigenous culture, language, and spiritual teachings, shaped by the community’s values. This approach emphasizes culturally respectful religious education, differing from standard public schools in Ontario. Therefore, experience and comfort teaching various religious topics, including Christianity, from a neutral and culturally respectful perspective, is essential.
Knowledge of First Nations culture and experience with First Nations students is an asset.
Please note that membership and license with the Ontario College of Teachers and updated Criminal Record and Child Abuse Registry Check will be required for all shortlisted candidates.
For the safety of our remote community, mandatory COVID-19 screening and/or quarantine will be strictly enforced for all successful hires entering Sandy Lake.
About the Benefits
Compensation based on certifications, skills, and experience, is a competitive annual salary of $76,693 to $107,903 (evaluated upon your current teaching certificate), plus a host of excellent benefits including:
- Extended health, vision, and dental coverage
- Reimbursement for fly-in/fly-out travel expenses of $1500 for individuals and $2000 for families (flights are covered for September and June)
- Vacation over the summer break, as well as 2 weeks vacation at Christmas and 1 week spring break vacation
- Provided individual or shared housing, depending on availability
- The opportunity to work within a friendly and inclusive community
- Work and live in a stunning natural landscape with wildlife, northern lights, and abundant natural wonders
- A vast array of community activities to get involved with including boating, canoeing, and our running club
- Social activities throughout the year that get the community socially connected with one another
For an extensive list of benefits, please click here.
If you share our values and have the skills necessary to bring success to the role, then we invite you to apply today!