Some items you may want to consider, in no particular order, before accepting a teaching position in the Northwest Territories. You may wish to ask the employer or do online research to find answers to make an informed decision before accepting a job offer:
- Staff - turnover rate of staff, supports available for students
- Student Makeup - grade levels and student population, student needs
- School - size/teaching material on-site/class size/number of teachers at the school/special accomplishments
- Relocation/Ultimate Removal Allowances - understand what is/is not included in your job offer
- Housing - availability to rent/purchase, number of landlords, Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Market Housing Zones, cost, utilities cost included/extra, condition, repairs contact access/speed, pets allowed
- Childcare - accessibility/cost
- Community Accessibility - is there road access - year-round and/or ice road in winter? frequency and cost of flights? direct access to a large centre community with national airlines?
- Community information - population, are loose dogs a concern, prominent leaders of the community/region
- Basic Aboriginal Language handbook/information
- Security of the Position - is it term/indeterminate - what does that mean?
- Pension/Benefits
- Isolation - near total darkness and cold in winter & near constant sunlight in summer
- Activities/Community Recreation Services - fitness facilities, sports, community halls, curling teams, hockey league, ball teams, hunting, fishing, bars/lounges, amenities, community spirit, what is there to do for fun?
- Alcohol - is the community dry (no alcohol)?
- Role/Expectations in Community - schools are often the community gathering space
- Internet - access, speed, cost
- Television/Cable - access, cost
- Mobile/Cellular Phone - access, carriers, cost
- Cost of Living
- Grocery Store - options in a community, distance to closest, cost
- Gas Station - distance to closest, cost
- Stores - clothing, shoes, teacher resources
- Online Purchases Shipping Cost
- Medical Facilities - does the community have a hospital, health clinic, pharmacy, doctor, nurse?
- School Calendar - there is no common NWT-wide school year calendar
- RCMP - does the community have police presence? what is the crime rate (violent & non-violent?)
- District Education Authorities (DEAs) - what is their role?
- Substitute Teacher availability
- Pets - veterinary availability, extreme cold for outdoor pet safety