ABOUT THE ROLE

Elsie Fabian School is seeking a caring, patient, and student-centered Student Support & Learning Specialist to join our school team. This is an opportunity to work closely with students who benefit from individualized attention, additional support, and a flexible learning environment. The successful candidate will build positive relationships with students while supporting their academic learning, social-emotional development, confidence, self-regulation, and overall success at school.

This position may involve working one-to-one with a student or with a small number of students, depending on student needs. The successful candidate will help create engaging learning opportunities and provide the structure, encouragement, and consistency that allow students to feel successful and connected at school.

The Student Support & Learning Specialist will work collaboratively with the Inclusive Education Lead, classroom teachers, counsellor, educational assistants, support staff, families, and outside professionals to ensure students receive consistent and meaningful support. We are looking for someone who is relationship-focused, patient, flexible, creative, and able to see the strengths and potential in every student.

This is a full-time position reporting directly to the Inclusive Education Lead at Elsie Fabian School.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Provide individualized and small-group support to students based on their learning and developmental needs
- Build positive, trusting, and respectful relationships with students
- Support students who benefit from additional academic, social-emotional, behavioural, or organizational support
- Create a welcoming, structured, and encouraging learning environment
- Support students with literacy, numeracy, and other areas of their educational programming
- Work with classroom teachers to adapt and modify learning activities to meet individual student needs
- Provide additional support to students who may find the traditional classroom environment challenging
- Help students develop confidence, independence, self-regulation, communication, organization, and positive learning habits
- Use positive, relationship-based approaches to support student engagement and success
- Encourage students to recognize and build on their individual strengths, interests, culture, and abilities
- Support students in developing positive relationships with peers and adults
- Provide consistent routines, expectations, encouragement, and support
- Work collaboratively with the Inclusive Education Lead and classroom teachers to implement individualized student support strategies
- Monitor student progress and provide regular observations and feedback to the school team
- Maintain appropriate documentation related to student learning, progress, and support
- Participate in student planning meetings,



collaborative team meetings, and professional learning opportunities
- Collaborate with the school counsellor, educational assistants, Elders, families, and outside service providers when appropriate
- Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
- Follow all Elsie Fabian School policies, procedures, and expectations
- Contribute to a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive, and welcoming school environment
- Perform other student-support duties as assigned by the Inclusive Education Lead or school administration

KEY REQUIREMENTS
- Training or education in Education, Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Psychology, Inclusive/Special Education, Educational Assistance, Behavioural Support, Counselling, or another related field.
- Training in positive behaviour support, de-escalation, and trauma-informed or relationship-based practices.
- Training in supporting children and youth with diverse learning, social-emotional, behavioural, or developmental needs.
- A diploma, degree, or relevant combination of education and experience
- Experience working with children or youth
- Experience supporting students with diverse learning or social-emotional needs is considered an asset
- An understanding of positive behaviour support and relationship-based approaches
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Patience, flexibility, and a positive attitude
- The ability to build genuine and respectful relationships with students
- The ability to work independently while also being a collaborative member of a school team
- Strong organizational and documentation skills
- A willingness to learn and adapt approaches based on individual student needs
- Experience working in a First Nations community is considered an asset
- Knowledge and understanding of First Nations culture, traditions, values, and community is considered an asset
- Ability to speak, read, and write Cree and/or Dene is considered an asset
- Alberta Teacher Certification is considered an asset but is not required
- Training or experience in social work, child and youth care, counselling, behaviour support, or inclusive education is considered an asset
- Valid First Aid/CPR certification is considered an asset
- Clean Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector required
- Valid Class 5 Driver’s License and Clean Driver’s Abstract required
- Successful candidate will be required to live in or relocate to Fort McMurray, Alberta

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE We are looking for someone who is:
- Kind and patient
- Calm and encouraging




- Relationship-focused
- Flexible and creative
- Positive and solution-oriented
- Comfortable working one-to-one with students
- Able to provide structure and consistency
- Committed to helping students recognize their strengths
- A strong communicator and team player
- Respectful of First Nations culture and community
- Someone who genuinely enjoys working with children and making a difference

You do not need to have a traditional teaching background to be successful in this position. If you have experience working with children or youth, strong relationship-building skills, and a passion for helping students succeed, we encourage you to apply. WHY APPLY?

Fort McKay is committed to the success of its employees and in addition to the highest Teacher Salaries in the region, we also offer the following:

- Northern Living Allowance
- An employer matched Pension Plan
- Comprehensive Health benefits package with Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
- In office Fitness Centre because a healthy work-life balance is important to us
- The opportunity to work with a community that is committed to preserving in traditional lands, culture and languages

ABOUT FORT MCKAY The Fort McKay First Nation (FMFN) is composed of over 800 band members, including those of Cree and Dene heritage, with approximately 400 members residing in the hamlet of Fort McKay — a community located approximately 65 km north of Fort McMurray. Fort McKay offers the best of both worlds: remote northern life for the nature lover and proximity to a large city of about 70,000 people with all the amenities you need. ABOUT ELSIE FABIAN SCHOOL - Come Join the Team!

The Elsie Fabian School opened in September of 2022 and incorporates both the Dene and Cree language, culture, and Land-Based learning into daily programming.

At Elsie Fabian

School, our foundation is rooted in meaningful engagement—with students, families, community, and culture. We are guided by the principles of our sacred teachings: love, respect, responsibility, listening, nurturing, relationships, humility, and lifelong learning. We invite you to join our team and be part of the Fort McKay community—a Nation deeply committed to advancing quality education for First Nations learners through connection to the land and the revitalization of our languages and traditions.

HOW TO APPLY

ONLINE: Job Board - Fort McKay First Nation

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Please indicate Competition #046-2026

www.fortmckayeducation.ca

Check FMFN out on social media -> Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram

*Qualified candidates are invited to apply with a comprehensive resume detailing qualifications and experience as it relates to the position of interest. Preference will be given to qualified applicants of Indigenous ancestry in any hiring decision, please declare your Indigenous status in your application.

📌 Student Support and Learning Specialist - 046-2026 (Alberta)
🏢 Fort McKay First Nation
📍 Alberta