Johnson Elementary School in Watson Lake, Yukon, is looking to hire replacement teachers and education assistants on a casual basis as the 2026-27 school year gets underway. The work offers flexible scheduling, with staff called in as needed to fill gaps at the K4 to Grade 7 school, which serves 126 students.
The school posted the call for applicants on its website, inviting people who want the ability to choose when they work. Interested candidates can apply through the First Nation School Board job portal or contact Principal Wade Gemmell directly at 867-536-7333.
Gemmell brings more than 33 years in education to the role, including 27 years as a vice-principal or principal, with 25 of those in the Chilliwack School District. He arrived in Watson Lake in 2026 to lead Johnson Elementary, which sits on the traditional territory of the Liard First Nation.
The recruitment drive comes as rural Yukon schools face significant staffing challenges. As of August 2026, the First Nation School Board, which operates 11 schools across the territory, reported 21 educator vacancies, up from just six at the end of the previous school year. Lack of housing, uncompetitive relocation benefits, and high turnover in remote communities are among the barriers cited by school board officials.
Watson Lake, with a population of about 1,495, is one of the larger communities outside Whitehorse. Johnson Elementary is located at 801 Ravenhill Dr. and follows a school growth plan focused on literacy, land and language, whole child development, and numeracy.
