About this role
Elementary School Literacy Teacher
Project Description: Bring your passion for elementary education to school in Sierra Leone and ignite a love for learning among young students.
One of Sierra Leone’s greatest educational challenges is ensuring students enroll in school and remain engaged, especially in environments where poverty and limited digital readiness create significant barriers. Rural schools face persistent teacher shortages, as many trained and qualified teachers leave for higher-paying opportunities with non-government organizations or schools in urban areas. As a result, recent surveys indicate as many as 40% of elementary school teachers are untrained or unqualified, signaling an urgent need to develop instructional skills and classroom practice. At the same time, a surge in student enrollment has led to overcrowded classrooms and a growing reliance on uncertified, volunteer teachers.
As an Elementary Literacy Teacher, you will develop and implement English teaching strategies alongside Sierra Leonean educators. Together, you’ll facilitate active learning games, develop classroom resources, and nurture a positive reading culture. Your efforts will help elementary school students develop foundational knowledge that will shape their academic, social, emotional, and personal development for years to come.
Required Skills: Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles). OR Bachelor's degree in any field. OR High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
Living Conditions: Volunteers are placed throughout Sierra Leone’s eastern, northern, and southern regions. Volunteers will live in their own independent housing that typically includes two rooms and a small parlor, along with either an indoor or outdoor bathroom. Shortly after arrival, Volunteers will receive a local SIM card for their smartphone; however, the Volunteer should be prepared for inconsistent cell service and internet connectivity. While public transportation is available, a bicycle can be provided to interested Volunteers.
Activities: Incorporate research-based strategies in the classroom to ensure all student needs are met. Prepare fun, hands-on lessons and supportive materials for students ages 6–12.
Teach interactive English literacy lessons that build phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Address foundational learning gaps to support student progress.
Provide training on language-enrichment strategies and effective grading and evaluation practices.
Identify opportunities to integrate life skills lessons into existing subjects.
Encourage community engagement for English language learning outside of the classroom.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as developing a school library or reading club.
Training: As an Elementary School Literacy Teacher, you will be trained on effective lesson planning, classroom management best practices, and student-centered methodologies. Peace Corps/Sierra Leone will teach you Krio to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You will also receive language resources and may learn Mende, Kono, Susu, Loko, or other local languages.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate with the staff at an elementary school to assess the learning needs and develop solutions based on national curriculum and available resources.
Job Highlights: Become skilled in student-centered lesson planning and classroom management while making a positive impact. Gain classroom teaching experience and learn to navigate educational challenges in a resource-limited community. Learn Krio from skilled language and interculture facilitators.