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Teacher recruitment information 2024

Please read carefully prior to completing application form.

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General Information

The Department of National Defence (DND) operates two schools overseas: AFNORTH International School in Brunssum, the Netherlands and SHAPE International School – Canadian Section in Casteau, Belgium. School operations of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Overseas Schools fall under Children’s Education Management (CEM).

At both schools, we employ Canadian educators in the following positions: Principal and Teacher. Educators are hired on a 2-year Loan of Service Agreement (LOSA) from their Canadian school board. Each year, positions are available to replace staff members who are returning to their school boards in Canada upon the completion of their LOSA.

A Brief History of Canadian Armed Forces Schools Overseas

The two Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) schools in Europe provide children of military families with the opportunity to receive elementary and secondary schooling at the same level they would receive in Canada.

Allied Forces Northern Europe Headquarters (AFNORTH) International School

AFNORTH International School (AIS) was founded in September 1967 and provides education for the children of JFC HQ Brunssum and other NATO personnel serving at Headquarters and adjacent commands. Four nationalities sponsor the school: Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America and Germany. A Director, appointed by the Board of Governors, is responsible for the overall operation of the school.

Each of the national sections has its own principal or head teacher who bears responsibility for their section, reporting to both the Director and to their education authority. The Director and the principals are responsible for respecting the educational requirements of each nation. The mandate of the school is to attempt to standardize instruction, develop common courses, promote language learning and facilitate intercultural exchanges.

For Canadian students, AIS (Elementary and Middle-High School Section) offers programming from kindergarten to grade 12 following the Ontario curriculum and offers first-language programs in both French and English at the elementary and secondary levels. French Immersion is not available. Secondary students receive credits leading to completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The AIS Canadian Section has two principals (elementary and middle-high school levels).

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe (SHAPE) International School

SHAPE International School (SIS) was founded in 1967 and provides education for the children of SHAPE and other NATO personnel serving in adjacent areas.

SIS has eleven sections: Kindergarten (Belgian), seven elementary schools (American, Belgian, Canadian, German, Italian, Norwegian and U.K.) and three high schools (American, Belgian, German). Three additional sections, Greek, Polish and Turkish, offer a partial national course of study to their students during or after school hours.

Each SIS section has its own Principal, Prefect or Head Teacher responsible for their section’s operation. The school has a Director General and a Deputy-Director who oversee the operation of the entire school campus in conjunction with the various national representatives.

SIS-Canadian Section offers first-language programs in both French and English for grades 1-8. French immersion is not offered. Programs follow the Ontario curriculum. Canadian teachers at SIS must be able to teach in both official languages. SIS-Canadian Section has a Canadian principal. The Canadian and the UK sections share a school building on campus.

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Recruitment requirements and expectations

Section 1 - Eligibility

1.1 To be eligible for consideration as a teacher, candidates must:

Teachers who are currently at SIS or AIS may apply for a second 2-year LOSA. When a teacher returns to Canada, an interim period of four years must elapse prior to reapplication.

In addition to the above, teacher selection will be based on candidates’ demonstration of the Ontario Standards of Practice for teaching and knowledge of best practices.

Commitment to Students and Student Learning:

Professional Knowledge:

Professional Practice:

Leadership in Learning Communities:

Ongoing Professional Learning:

Notes:

  • Candidates at SIS must be fully bilingual and able to teach in both official languages of Canada; bilingual candidates are preferred at AIS.
  • Teacher candidates for grades 9-12 must hold Ontario College of Teachers certification or be eligible to obtain Ontario College of Teachers certification.
  • The Ontario College of Teachers: Standards of Practice guide CAF Overseas Schools teachers.
  • The K-12 School Effectiveness Framework guides best practices for CAF Overseas Schools teachers.
  • Candidates should understand that due to the small size of the schools, they may be required to teach their own children.
  • French Immersion is not offered at the schools. Candidates’ children who attend French Immersion programs in Canada must attend the English first language program at SIS and AIS. French first language programming is reserved for francophone students and/or students who have been attending programming in French first language school boards in Canada.

1.2 To be eligible for consideration as an elementary principal, candidates must also:

1.3 To be eligible for consideration as a secondary principal, candidates must also:

In addition to the above requirements, Principal selection will be based on demonstration of the Ontario Leadership Framework school-level leadership areas:

The ability to speak other languages (e.g., French, German) is also considered an asset.

Note:

  1. SHAPE IS principal candidates must be bilingual in French and English.
  2. The Ontario Leadership Framework guides the selection of principals.

Section 2 – Process and timelines

2.1 The deadline for the submission of a completed application package is November 1st at 12:00PM, Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Section 3 - Terms of Loan of Service Agreement (LOSA)

3.1 Successful candidates (teachers, vice-principals or principals) are under a two-year agreement called a Loan of Service Agreement (LOSA). The terms of the LOSA are established by the Department of National Defence and the agreement is signed by DND, the sponsoring school board and the teacher.

3.2 Under a LOSA, the teacher’s salary and employee benefits continue to be paid by the sponsoring school board and are reimbursed by DND to the school board. The LOSA has the advantage of protecting the teacher’s salary, rights and benefits acquired under their school board's local collective agreement, as this agreement remains in effect for the duration of the loan of service.

3.3 The CAF Overseas school year begins in mid-August and ends in June. CAF Overseas School Year calendars are guided by the Education Act of Ontario and Regulation 304, School Year Calendar, Professional Activity Days.

3.4 Terms of employment at CAF Overseas Schools may differ from the terms of employment of the Board.

3.5 A LOSA teacher is considered a member of a civilian component of the Canadian Armed Forces outside Canada with an assigned officer status (e.g., Captain for teachers, Major for principals). A teacher serves with the CAF outside Canada their professional capacity at the appointed school.

3.6 Pursuant to sub-section 60 (1) of the National Defence Act RSC.1985, Ch.N-5, a LOSA teacher is subject to the Code of Service Discipline while at the CAF Overseas School.

3.7 Successful candidates will be required to obtain current Standard First Aid and CPR qualifications prior to arriving at their posting location.

Freedom of information and protection of privacy & record disclosure prior to employment.

3.8 The CAF Overseas Schools reserve the right to make a thorough investigation regarding any information relevant to offering a Loan of Service Agreement. CAF Overseas Schools will contact persons or organizations provided by the applicant for the purpose of obtaining job-related information including educational history, work performance and attendance records. Information gathered during a reference check will be used solely to determine suitability, eligibility, or qualifications for an offer of a Loan of Service Agreement with CAF Overseas Schools. Reference checks will be completed in confidence and information gathered will be retained in confidence by CAF Overseas Schools.

3.9 Information Disclosure:

Section 4 - Screening (Medical, Security and Educational)

4.1 The selected teacher and their family must undergo the screening process and meet the same requirements as military families posting to Europe. This includes medical, educational and security screening. A green screen must be obtained in all areas for the teacher to receive a final LOSA offer. The purpose of this section is to provide information on the screening process.

4.2 By mid January, selected teachers will receive instructions and forms from CEM to outline screening requirements.

Medical

4.3 For medical screening, the selected teacher and their family members must undergo a thorough medical screening through their family physician. The medical questionnaire is to be completed by their physician.

4.4 The medical screening shall be made based upon the following considerations:

Note:

  1. Some medications are banned in other countries.
  2. The stress associated with a new environment accentuated by problems with a foreign language, isolation and poor or non-existent means of communication, may aggravate problems and result in early termination of the assignment.

4.5 A number of medical conditions and psychosocial situations are not compatible with an assignment overseas, including, but not limited to, the following:

4.6 Teachers should not apply if they know in advance of any medical problems that would preclude them or any of their dependents from meeting the medical requirements for an assignment overseas.

Security

4.7 Teachers selected for an assignment overseas require a National Defence security clearance (Enhanced Reliability Check).

4.8 Selected teachers must also provide a recent Police Record Check for their spouse (where applicable).

Educational

4.9 Each child under the age of 23 must screen green through the educational screening process. CAF Overseas Schools do not offer special education programs and students with significant educational, behavioural or emotional needs may be screened red.

Section 5 - Performance objectives

5.1 LOSA teachers and principals are expected to meet the requirements of their position in an independent and effective manner. There are no additional supports available at the CAF Overseas Schools for those whose performance needs improvement. Professional learning and teamwork is encouraged at all times.

5.2 CAF Overseas Schools complete performance assessments for all LOSA staff. These follow Ontario Ministry of Education guidelines.

5.3 CAF Overseas Schools is committed to the Annual Learning Plan process as an opportunity for teachers to reflect on their performance and to decide on specific teaching and professional learning goals. Teachers submit an Annual Learning Plan each school year. The Annual Learning Plan must reflect the School Improvement Plan.

Section 6 - Allowances and salary while on a LOSA assignment

6.1 Once selected for an assignment, teachers are entitled to allowances to assist with relocation to and from Europe, housing costs in Europe and the differences in the cost of living. Allowances are approved by Treasury Board. This section will provide a brief overview of the allowances you may be entitled to receive:

  1. Post-Living Allowance (PLA): The cost of living in Europe is higher than in Ottawa, therefore DND provides a non-taxable allowance to compensate for the higher costs of purchasing goods and services at post. The Post Specific Allowance (PSA) is paid at a monthly rate and is specific to the costs associated with a geographical location.
  2. Foreign Service Premium (FSP): This is paid monthly to cover expenses not specifically covered by other allowances and benefits.
  3. Vacation Travel Allowance (VTA): If a teacher is authorized for a second LOSA and upon commencement of their third year, a teacher and any dependents residing with the teacher shall be entitled to a VTA to assist them with travel to Canada or another location. This is a one time, non-taxable allowance. It must be reconciled with supporting documents and receipts before the end of LOSA assignment and the teacher returns to Canada.

CAUTION: Dollar amounts associated with allowances are based on the employee’s salary and they are subject to change with market or exchange rates. Some change on a yearly basis while others may change monthly. Teachers should always be cautious and prudent when making definite financial plans based on foreign allowances.

6.2 Selected teachers will be briefed about their entitlements during their House-Hunting Trip (i.e., rent ceiling, rent share, utility allowance and utility charges applicable to their situation).

6.3 Salary while on a LOSA: CAF Overseas Schools staff continue to receive a salary from their sending boards as follows:

  1. A teacher accepted for an assignment as a classroom teacher will receive their salary stipulated in their Board collective agreement.
  2. A Principal accepted for an assignment as a Principal will receive their salary based on the position they held prior to selection for an assignment with CAF Overseas Schools.
  3. Teachers will not continue to receive any allowances they may have been receiving for special duties, responsibilities, location, or other circumstances related to duties with their school system in Canada (i.e., Department Head). Allowances paid for university degrees under the Board salary agreement are accepted as part of the teacher's reimbursable salary.

Compassionate travel

6.4 Teachers might be entitled to a Compassionate Travel Allowance for transportation and travelling expenses arising from compassionate leave in the event of:

Health insurance

6.5 Teachers, as well as their accompanying dependents, are covered for the duration of their assignment by a DND medical plan. This plan is intended to replace provincial health care coverage (i.e., OHIP). DND assumes the full cost of this medical plan.

6.6 A teacher’s board medical plan must be retained for supplemental insurance items such as medication or dental, as the DND medical plan does not cover these items.

Accommodations overseas

6.7 A teacher can acquire suitable living accommodations in Brunssum, NL or Casteau, BE that are generally comparable to, but not necessarily equal to, the size and nature of the accommodation available in Canada. Overseas accommodations are usually unfurnished.

6.8 Military quarters are not available for teachers. Accommodations are usually located within 25 km of the school.

6.9 Rent and Utility Share: Rental costs for accommodations are shared between the teacher and DND. The teacher pays a monthly rent and utilities share and DND pays a portion of the rental costs. The size of the accommodations and the rent share are based on the family size and teacher’s annual income.

Section 7 - Moving to Europe

House Hunting Trip (HHT)

7.1 To secure living accommodations, DND will pay for travel overseas during a period of school closure (usually during March/April Break) for a House Hunting Trip (HHT) for the selected teacher and their spouse.

7.2 During the HHT, teachers will be briefed on overseas allowances and receive assistance locating accommodations suited to the needs of the teacher/family.

Moving and transportation arrangements

7.3 DND will arrange for the relocation of the teacher and their accompanying dependents (i.e., air travel and household goods).

7.4 DND will pay to move furniture and effects to Europe and back to Canada. Any furniture and effects remaining in Canada will be stored and insured by DND. Teachers are subject to the same furniture and effects weight restrictions as regular members of the Canadian Armed Forces moving overseas.

7.5 DND does not pay for costs associated with the sale, nor rental of a teacher’s principal residence.

Private Motor Vehicles (PMV)

7.6 Teachers are entitled to ship one vehicle overseas. Teachers may be authorized to store one vehicle in Canada.

Pets

7.7 All reasonable travelling expenses incurred in moving pets to/from Europe will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $650 CAD, regardless of the number of pets moved. The teacher is responsible for all arrangements associated with the relocation of pets.

Family considerations

7.8 For a selected teacher in Belgium (SHAPE), it is important to note that international agreements do not allow for common-law partners to accompany the teacher. In such a case, the teacher would need to have a notarized agreement.

7.9 School-aged children of teachers who are offered a LOSA contract are eligible to attend the CAF Overseas School (SHAPE or AFNORTH) free of charge. Teachers may be required to teach their children.

7.10 For teachers who have children who are not yet school-aged, it is important to note that access to daycare may be more limited than in Canada, and the teacher should be prepared for alternate arrangements.

Timelines – Move to Europe

7.11 The following information provides a general timeline for the move process:

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