Teaching Assistant - Cayuga

Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) is a unique Indigenous Institute, recognized by community, government, and institutions of higher learning, as a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Knowledge. SNP offers postsecondary, secondary, trades education and training. SNP has formal partnerships with nine publicly funded Ontario Universities and Colleges and collaborates with six Ontario-based Indigenous owned and controlled post-secondary Institutes.

For more information, visit www.snpolytechnic.com

JOB PURPOSE

The Teaching Assistant supports the effective delivery of courses by assisting instructors and learners in creating an engaging, supportive, and culturally responsive learning environment. The position provides administrative, instructional, and classroom support; facilitates language practice and learner participation; assists with course activities and resources; and provides individualized or small-group support as needed. Working under the guidance of the Language Instructor, the Teaching Assistant helps strengthen learners’ language proficiency, confidence, and connection to the language, culture, and ways of knowing while contributing to learner success and language revitalization.

The Teaching Assistant is required to perform all duties consistent with the governance values and operating policies of Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) while fostering positive relations with staff, students, stakeholders, and the community; contributing to a culturally supportive teaching, learning and work environment consistent with Hodinǫshǫ:nih/Rotinonhson:ni values of Ga’nigohi:yo:/Kanikoriio (Respect and the Good Mind)

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 

Instructional & Classroom Support 30%

• Supports the Language Instructor during classes and learning activities;
• Assists with demonstrations, exercises, group work, and experiential learning; reinforces concepts introduced by the instructor;
• Helps prepare and organize instructional materials and classroom resources
• Other related duties, as required.

Learner Support & Language Practice 20%

• Provides individualized and small-group assistance to learners; facilitates conversation and language practice;
• Supports pronunciation, comprehension, vocabulary development, and application of language skills;
• Provides additional guidance to learners requiring clarification or practice; encourages learner confidence and participation.
• Availability outside of scheduled class time for student support and assistance

• Other related duties, as required.

Course Activities, Resources & Learner Engagement 20%

• Assists with developing and preparing learning activities, exercises, games, language resources, and supplementary materials;
• Supports cultural, experiential, and land- or community-based learning activities where applicable;
• Helps identify resources that encourage learner participation and language use.

• Other related duties, as required.

Course Administration & Organization 15%

• Assists with attendance, course materials, communications, scheduling, learning resources, and other administrative requirements;
• Organizes and distributes materials;
• Supports the instructor with maintaining course-related information and documentation;
• Assists with classroom and online learning platforms as required.

• Other related duties, as required.

Instructor & Program Support 15%

• Meets with the Language Instructor to discuss learner needs, upcoming activities, and course requirements;
• Communicates observations related to learner participation and areas requiring additional support;
• Participates in relevant meetings, training, or professional development; completes other related duties that support effective course delivery and language revitalization initiatives.

• Other related duties, as required.

EDUCATIONAL KNOWLEDGE 

Completion of high school, OSSD or equivalent

EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE / CULTURE AND LANGUAGE EXPERTISE

Up to and including 1 year of experience as a teaching assistant or helper in the given program language (i.e. Cayuga language).

Prior experience working for an Indigenous organization is preferred.

Criminal Record Check

The successful candidate will be required to provide an original Criminal Background Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening that is satisfactory to Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) prior to the first day of work at Six Nations Polytechnic, and an Offence Declaration that is satisfactory to SNP by their first day of employment at Six Nations Polytechnic. 

At Six Nations Polytechnic, we are committed to diversity and inclusion as we continue and expand our efforts to become a more inclusive, safe and respectful workplace. Human Resources will accommodate any needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Recruitment processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities, as may be requested.

Applicants from Six Nations and other Indigenous communities will be given preference to deliver programs and services in a First Nations community. 

Full Job description is available upon request.

POSITION TYPE: New Position

POSITION CLOSING DATE: Open until filled

JOB TYPE: Contract, Part-time, September to Dec 18th, 2026

SCHEDULE: Up to 30 hrs Monday-Friday

WORK MODEL: Onsite

PAY BAND: 2 Core range $21.00 - $24.60/hour. The target hiring salary for this position is minimum (Step 1) up to 45% of the pay band. Considerations for new hire step placements include experiential knowledge and/or language and cultural expertise.