About this role
University STEM Teacher Trainer
Project Description: Ready to use your passion for STEM education to make a real impact overseas? The government of the Kyrgyz Republic has ambitious goals to ramp up development in the tourism, technology, financial, and energy sectors to join the world’s top 30 countries by 2030. To achieve this level of growth, the government recognizes the need to expand economic and academic opportunities for its citizens and has enacted major educational reforms. The country's STEM education is actively promoted and being integrated into kindergarten through university curricula. These efforts include establishing laboratories, providing professional development programs for teachers, and developing both new curricula and textbooks. The country’s economic development goals depend on the government’s ability to improve teaching methods and language proficiency among teachers, which will ultimately deliver high-quality English language instruction to all students. As a University STEM Teacher Trainer, you will collaborate with the staff at Bishkek State University, Osh State University, Jalal-Abad State University, Issyk-Kul State University, or Kyrgyz State University to strengthen STEM curriculum design and instructional enhancements. Through daily conversations, personalized support, and capacity-strengthening workshops, you will enable students, teachers, and community members to become more confident teaching STEM subjects in English as well as more knowledgeable of American culture.
Required Skills: Bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), or in a related field (e.g., education) with a teaching certification. AND Two or more years of teaching experience in one of the following areas: math, chemistry, physics, computer science, biology, earth sciences, or art.
Living Conditions: Volunteers live with a host family, which may be in an apartment, private house, or in a separate building within a family’s compound residence. Volunteers assigned to universities could be housed in a university dorm, depending on availability of other housing options. All regions of Kyrgyz Republic have access to water, electricity, and mobile data, though some areas might experience limitations at certain times of the year.
Activities: Provide training on new teaching methodologies and techniques to support STEM learning. Develop and implement effective educational programs for the new 12-year education model. Conduct conversation clubs for students to practice language skills and collaborative learning skills. Support the integration of new tools and technologies into classroom instruction. Provide mentorship and peer support to teachers adapting to the new curriculum and teaching practices. Gather feedback from educators and students to assess the effectiveness of new teaching approaches and suggest improvements. Promote student engagement and interest in STEM fields through extracurricular activities and projects. You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as English conversation clubs for university staff.
Training: As a University STEM Teacher Trainer, you will be trained on lesson planning, curriculum design, and strategies for strengthening the capacity of teachers. Peace Corps/Kyrgyz Republic will introduce you to the Kyrgyz language to help you adapt to your community. You can also receive language resources to explore Russian and Uzbek languages. After 3 weeks of orientation, you will move to an urban community where you will collaborate with higher education institutions. You will work with the community to assess the local needs and develop solutions based on best teaching practices and the goals of the ministry partners.
Job Highlights: Support science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers with curriculum design and lesson facilitation. Gain international teaching experience and a deeper understanding of educational challenges overseas. Immerse yourself in a culture influenced by ancient nomadic traditions and economic development.