INDIGENOUS EDUCATION – ITINERANT DESIGNATED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR-ETFO
CONTRACT POSITION FOR 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR
KINDERGARTEN LIFE SKILLS PILOT PROJECT
Important Information to Applicants
THIS POSITION IS A CONTRACT POSTION THROUGH THE TCDSB INDIGENOUS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. ALL INTERESTED APPLICANTS ARE ASKED TO APPLY ONLINE NO LATER THAN 11:59 PM ON JULY 30, 2026, VIA APPLYTOEDUCATION
ANY APPLICATIONS RECEIVED OUTSIDE OF THE DESIGNATED PROCESS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR REGISTRATION WITH THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS IS VALID AND IN GOOD STANDING AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION. EXPIRED OR INACTIVE MEMBERSHIPS WILL DISQUALIFY YOUR APPLICATION.
FIRST NATIONS, INUIT, AND MÉTIS CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. INDIGENOUS LIVED EXPERIENCE IS A SIGNIFICANT ASSET FOR THIS ROLE.
COMPENSATION: $181.15 per day (inclusive of statutory holiday pay and vacation pay) Commensurate with qualifications and experience, consistent with applicable TCDSB terms and conditions. Details available upon request from Human Resources.
HOURS OF WORK: 7 hours per day, excludes 30-minute unpaid lunch break, includes 2 fifteen-minute paid morning and afternoon breaks. Start and end times to be established in consultation with the Head of Indigenous Affairs.
POSTING: 4051904
DEPARTMENT: Indigenous Education
REPORTING TO: Head of Indigenous Affairs
ESS JOB POSTING CLOSING DATE: 11:59 PM ON JULY 30, 2026
Effective Start Date: September 2, 2026 to June 26, 2027
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
-
Two-year College Diploma in Early Childhood Education
-
Registration with the Ontario College of Early Childhood Educators in good standing
-
Demonstrated experience supporting children's self-regulation, well-being, and social-emotional development through responsive, relationship-based practices
-
Knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures, histories, and ways of knowing
-
Lived experience deeply rooted in First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis communities is a significant asset; First Nations, Inuit, and Métis candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
-
Understanding of Indigenous child development frameworks and land-based approaches to early learning
-
Ability to build trusting, culturally safe relationships with young children, families, Elders, and community partners
-
Strong oral communication skills and ability to engage families from diverse cultural backgrounds
-
Experience in a school board or education setting is an asset
-
Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle is an asset, given multi-school responsibilities
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Head of Indigenous Affairs, this one-year contract position supports the Kindergarten Life Skills Pilot Project, a co-developed initiative between the TCDSB Indigenous Education Department and the Early Years Program. The pilot delivers universal Tier 1 programming across four Kindergarten classrooms, grounded in the Tree of Life Indigenous Education Framework and the Four R's of Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, and Responsibility. The successful candidate will bring Indigenous knowledge, relationship building skills, and early childhood expertise to support all students and educators in the pilot schools.
-
Support the implementation of the Kindergarten Life Skills Pilot Program across four designated TCDSB schools in collaboration with classroom teachers and the Early Years Resource Teacher
-
Provide culturally grounded early learning experiences rooted in the Tree of Life Indigenous Education Framework, including land-based learning, storytelling, traditional knowledge, and the teachings of the Seven Grandfather Teachings
-
Build and sustain respectful relationships with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous community partners to enrich programming in each pilot school
-
Collaborate with classroom educators in planning, developing, and implementing daily learning activities that support children's spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical development
-
Maintain a culturally safe, physically healthy, and socially supportive learning environment for all children
-
Assist in observing, monitoring, and documenting children's growth and development using culturally responsive practices and program assessment tools
-
Support and promote family engagement through regular, culturally appropriate communication with parents and caregivers
-
Participate in pilot evaluation processes, providing reflective feedback to the Head of Indigenous Affairs and the Early Years Resource Teacher
-
Other duties as required by the Head of Indigenous Affairs
-
Program reporting as required
-
Establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with other community services providers working with children
-
Assisting educators in supervising the students at all program times
-
Attending staff meetings and professional development activities
-
Travel is required
- Other duties as required
WHO WE ARE
Our mission at TCDSB is to inspire learning in every way and support our students and employees. Employees who work in our corporate setting are passionate and have a strong belief in our mission and making TCDSB a leader in public education. We are:
Consistent with the TCDSB's Employment Equity policy and Multi-Year Strategic Plan, the TCDSB is strongly committed to fostering and creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the stakeholders and communities we serve. As such, we especially welcome applications from individuals who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, including but not limited to, those who are Indigenous, Black, 2SLGBTQ+, and racialized. You are invited to voluntarily indicate if you identify as one or more of the aforementioned communities. This information will be kept confidential.
The TCDSB is committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know when contacted. We will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the TCDSB Fair Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.
All interested applicants are asked to apply online no later than 11:59 pm Thursday, July 30, 2026, via Apply to Education at
We thank all prospective applicants for showing interest in this position; only those selected for an interview will be contacted
Follow us on our page for the latest posts, jobs, and so much more.
