We are Hiring Replacement Teachers and EA’s
We are looking to hire some more replacement teachers and EA’s. The work is casual so you have flexibility when you work. For further information and rates of pay click here or please contact Mr. Gemmell, Principal at Johnson Elementary. To apply to be on our replacement list click here (click apply on the green button at the top left).
Johnson Elementary School
Welcome!
We hope you come back often
Johnson Elementary School has an enrolment of about 135 students from K4 to Grade 7.
Through this website, we hope to share the exciting experiences of our Learners and staff. We hope you enjoy viewing it and visit again soon.
We respectfully acknowledge that Johnson Elementary School is situated upon the Territory of the Liard First Nation.
School Growth Plan
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Literacy
Johnson Elementary School is committed to ensuring that every Learner becomes a proficient reader by implementing evidence-based literacy instruction grounded in the Science of Reading and the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) framework.
Our goal is to close achievement gaps, support struggling readers, and equip all Learners with strong foundational literacy skills for lifelong learning.
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Land and Language
Situated on the Territory of the Liard First Nation, Johnson Elementary School (JES) is committed to honouring the Kaska language and Kaska culture.
We aim to foster deep connections between and among JES Learners, the community of Watson Lake, and the Land by integrating Indigenous knowledge, land-based learning, and language preservation into our educational practices.
Our goal is to ensure that Kaska traditions, language, and ways of knowing are embedded into daily learning experiences, strengthening Learners’ cultural identity and community engagement.
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Whole Child
Johnson Elementary School (JES) is committed to fostering Learners’ holistic development by addressing their academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being.
We recognize that Learners thrive when they feel safe, supported, and engaged in a learning environment that nurtures their unique strengths and identities.
Through a comprehensive Whole Child approach, we are empowering JES Learners to reach their full potential and become resilient, compassionate, and confident individuals.
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Numeracy
Johnson Elementary School (JES) is committed to ensuring that all our Learners develop strong numeracy skills by implementing evidence-based mathematics instruction grounded in cognitive science and best practices in Education.
Our goal is to close achievement gaps, support struggling Learners, and equip all JES Learners with the foundational numeracy skills necessary for academic success and real-world problem-solving.
A message from Johnson Elementary School’s Principal, Wade Gemmell
I am incredibly excited to serve as Johnson Elementary School’s (JES’s) Principal.
It is an honour to hold this leadership role and be part of the dedicated teams at JES and the First Nations School Board.
With over 33 years in Education, including 27 years as a Vice-Principal and Principal (25 of which were in the Chilliwack School District), I’ve had the privilege of working, leading, and learning in eight different schools. Each experience has deepened my passion for building strong, collaborative school communities focused on Learner success.
I am especially committed to improving outcomes in Literacy (reading, writing, and communication) and Numeracy (computational fluency and problem-solving). I believe in the power of teamwork and open partnerships with staff, families, the Liard First Nation, and the broader community to support every Learner’s journey.
I am a lifelong advocate for place-based learning, and I am deeply honoured to live and work on the Territory of the Liard First Nation. My previous experiences in Hartley Bay (Tsimshian Territory), Bamfield (Huu-ay-aht Territory), and Cultus Lake (Stó:lō Territory) have taught me the value of weaving local Indigenous knowledge and traditional teachings in everyday learning.
I look forward to learning about the Kaska language and building meaningful connections in Watson Lake.
Outside of school, I’m a proud father of three adult children, I enjoy the outdoors, exploring trails by dirt bike, and I’m hoping to add snowmobiling to my Yukon adventures.
Wade Gemmell,
Johnson Elementary School Principal
