1.0 FTE (term) Outdoor Education Teacher, W.E. Graham Community School

W.E. Graham Community School has a vacancy for an Outdoor Education Teacher for the Valhalla Wilderness Program (VWP). This unique grade 9 and 10 program introduces students to the technical skills of self-propelled wilderness travel through all four seasons, emphasizing safety, decision-making, and stewardship for the outdoors/wilderness in rural BC.

The successful candidate will teach curricular competencies in areas that may include any of those in the grade 9 and 10 curriculum (for example: English Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, Physical and Health Education, Career Education), including specialty options in environmental and outdoor learning, using experiential and place-conscious approaches that connect curricular competencies across subject areas.

Required Qualifications:

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• A valid BC professional teaching certificate through the BC Ministry of Education, Teacher Regulation Branch
  
• A related Bachelor of Education degree with a concentration in Outdoor Education or related from a recognized university
  
• Three or more years of demonstrated successful experience in leading outdoor education in a K-12 setting, including wilderness out trips
  
• Valid Wilderness First Aid certification
  
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver's Licence
  

Preferred Qualifications

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• Wilderness First Responder certification
  
• Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 or Avalanche Skills Training Level 2
  
• Basic Lake Water Canoe Instructor certification (Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia)
  
• Top Rope Climbing Instructor certification (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides)
  
• Canoe Tripping Instructor certification (Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia)
  

Teachers applying for this position must also possess the following attributes:

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• Recent, demonstrated successful teaching experience in delivering an outdoor educational program at the middle school and/or secondary school level
  
• Experience supervising youth in remote outdoor environments.
  
• Extensive background and skills in backcountry travel and experience leading and organizing multi-day trips with school-aged groups
  
• Proficiency in a variety of self-propelled mountain sports, including hiking, mountain biking, skiing/snowboarding, climbing and canoeing/kayaking
  
• Competence with map and compass navigation (chart reading for water activities) under difficult conditions, including in darkness and inclement weather
  
• Strong weather forecasting skills
  
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work with students, parents, and community partners
  
• Demonstrated proficiency in utilizing communication devices such as satellite phones, radios and avalanche beacons.
  

The ideal candidate will be expected to:

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• Adhere to SD 8’s current fieldtrip guidelines, policies, and administrative procedures
  
• Follow the BC Curriculum and authorized BAA course outline
  
• Be familiar with and adhere to Youth Safe Outdoors procedures and recommendations
  
• Organize and facilitate multi-day out-trips throughout the school year
  
• Implement Leave No Trace principles and environmental stewardship
  
• Manage program logistics, including student fees, equipment costs, and fundraising activities
  
• Ability to assess student abilities in outdoor environments and adapt plans, routes, and activities to meet the needs of the group
  
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with parents/guardians throughout the school year both academically and regarding logistics and behaviour on out trips
  
• Incorporate Indigenous teachings, knowledge, and worldviews into place-conscious learning
  
• Use authentic assessment strategies, including the evaluation of journals, practical field experiences, and peer and self-assessments
  
• Collaborate with guest speakers, parent volunteers, and community volunteers to enhance the program
  
• Manage and maintain an extensive gear loaning program
  

Application Requirements

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• Teaching Evaluations
  
• Certificates (including AST 1, First Aid, Climbing, Canoeing, etc.)
  
• Teaching Qualifications/Licenses
  
• Transcripts
  
• Cover letter
  
• Resume / CV
  

for more information, contact Principal Jen Kooznetsoff at jen.kooznetsoff@sd8.bc.ca

SD8 serves families in a spectacular, biodiverse region that includes a portion of the West and East Kootenays in southeastern B.C. Its six families of schools are situated across 15,000 square kilometers of rivers, valleys, lakes, and three mountain ra