Teacher — Punjabi & Sikh Studies

Dasmesh Punjabi School; Abbotsford; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Paid vacation

Medical benefits

RRSP

Professional development opportunities

Extracurricular club bonuses

Job summary

Dasmesh Punjabi School in Abbotsford, BC, is seeking a Punjabi & Sikh Studies teacher to empower students to speak, read, and write Punjabi while exploring Sikh history and culture. The role emphasizes engaging, age-appropriate instruction for K–10 and meaningful classroom interactions.

The ideal candidate will model authentic Punjabi language, foster confidence in everyday use, and contribute to a warm, inclusive school community. BC teaching credentials or eligibility are required.

Qualifications

• Fluent in Punjabi (spoken and written) with strong literacy in Gurmukhi.
• Ability to teach Punjabi language and Sikh studies to diverse learners.
• Commitment to inclusive, student-centered education in a Canadian context.

Responsibilities

• Teach Punjabi language (reading, writing, speaking) to K–10 students.
• Teach Sikh Studies with engaging, accessible methods.
• Foster practical Punjabi use in daily classroom life.
• Develop culturally relevant lessons about Punjabi language, heritage, and Sikh values.
• Create a warm, well-managed classroom and build positive relationships with students.
• Collaborate with colleagues and participate in school community activities.
• Assess student progress and align with BC curriculum expectations.

Skills

Punjabi fluency

Gurmukhi literacy

Classroom management

BC teacher regulation eligibility

Education

BC Teacher Regulation Branch certification or eligibility

Job description

Teacher — Punjabi & Sikh Studies

Location: Abbotsford, BC · Start date: [August 2026] · Status: [Full-Time and Part-Time]

About Dasmesh Punjabi School

DPS is an independent English-language K–12 school serving approximately 1,000 students in Abbotsford, BC. While Punjabi language and Sikh studies form part of our educational program, instruction is delivered in English. We welcome applicants from all faiths and backgrounds who are committed to supporting an inclusive, respectful, and student-centered learning environment.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a warm, capable, and engaging Punjabi & Sikh Studies teacher to help our students build confidence in speaking and understanding Punjabi in everyday life, while developing strong reading and writing skills and connecting meaningfully with their language, culture, and heritage.

This is one of the most meaningful roles in our school. You will help students develop practical Punjabi language skills - including the confidence to speak and understand Punjabi in everyday situations - while building their ability to read and write in Gurmukhi. You will also help students develop a meaningful understanding of Sikh values, history, culture, and heritage. For our families, this work is an important part of the educational experience at Dasmesh, and the right teacher will approach it with pride, warmth, and joy.

What You’ll Do

• Teach Kindergarten – Grade 10 Punjabi language - reading, writing, and speaking - in an engaging, age-appropriate way.
• Develop students' ability to use Punjabi naturally in everyday conversations, classroom interactions, and real-life situations.
• Create opportunities for students to listen, speak, read, and write Punjabi regularly and meaningfully.
• Teach Sikh Studies in a way that is engaging, accessible, and meaningful to Canadian learners.
• Help students develop an understanding and appreciation of Sikh faith, values, history, culture, and heritage.
• Recognize and respond to varying levels of Punjabi proficiency, helping both emerging and more fluent speakers continue to grow.
• Create a caring, well-managed classroom where students feel known, valued, and encouraged to participate.
• Contribute to the heritage, culture, and values of the school community.

What We’re Looking For

Required

• Fluency in Punjabi (spoken and written) and strong literacy in Gurmukhi.
• Strong spoken Punjabi and the ability to model natural, conversational language for students.
• Sound knowledge of Sikh faith, history, values, traditions, and heritage, with the ability to share this knowledge meaningfully with students.
• The ability to make Punjabi language learning engaging, practical, and relevant for Canadian students.
• Warmth, patience, and the ability to build positive relationships with students across elementary and secondary grades.
• Strong classroom management and the ability to create a positive, respectful learning environment.
• BC Teacher Regulation Branch certification, or eligibility to obtain.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and community of Dasmesh Punjabi School.

Strong assets

• Experience developing conversational language skills through activities such as dialogue, storytelling, role-play, games, presentations, and real-world scenarios.
• Experience teaching students across multiple grade levels.
• Familiarity with BC curriculum and competency-based assessment.
• Experience developing engaging Punjabi language-learning resources and activities.

What We Offer

• Opportunity for either full-time or part-time role at the heart of our school's mission and identity.
• Inclusive: In keeping with the principles of Sikhism, we welcome talented individuals from all religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. Practicing Sikhism is not a requirement.
• Supportive: Our educators enjoy a reduced workload, with dedicated time for preparation and grading.
• Benefits: Competitive pay, paid vacation, medical benefits, RRSP, extracurricular club bonuses, and professional development opportunities.

Dasmesh Punjabi School welcomes applicants who share our commitment to the Punjabi-Sikh community we serve. Successful candidates will be required to provide a satisfactory criminal record check (vulnerable sector). We thank all applicants; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.