About this role
Project Description
The Gambia invites you to support newly qualified teachers as they foster a love for literacy and numeracy among their students.
Currently, there are limited training opportunities for Gambian teachers to continue strengthening their professional skills once they’ve earned their certification. Classroom instruction is often teacher-centered with limited hands-on learning for students. The Gambian Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is looking to change that by equipping young or new teachers with effective and inclusive approaches to literacy and numeracy lessons.
As an Elementary Education Teacher, you will strengthen the skills of teachers and students in grades 1–3. Alongside Gambian teachers, you will help improve techniques used in the classroom to support both students and teachers in reaching their full potential.
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 (from any combination of roles).
Living Conditions
You will live in a remote, rural community with access to public transportation within a few miles. Most Volunteers live in family compounds with one or two room units and a private outdoor bathroom. Houses are generally made of mud block with thatched roofs or cement houses with tin roofing. Family members in the compound will support you with many of the language and cultural skills and competencies you will need to live and work effectively in your community.
Job Highlights
Gain valuable experience training teachers and teaching primary school students.
Learn one of The Gambia’s local languages from skilled language and cross-cultural facilitators.
Develop lasting friendships through cultural exchange and community engagement.
Activities
Promote student-centered learning, the creation of educational aids, and the use of libraries.
Bring teachers together to exchange strategies and teaching methodologies.
Teach engaging lessons based on the national curriculum.
Model classroom management techniques and provide constructive feedback.
Plan and facilitate teacher workshops at the local, regional, or national level.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as delivering a lecture at a teacher training college or an after-school girls club.
Training
As an Elementary Education Teacher, you will be trained to mentor new teachers on effective strategies for literacy and numeracy instruction. Peace Corps/The Gambia staff will teach you Pulaar, Mandinka, Wollof, Jola, or Serrahulle to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community.
After 11 weeks of pre-service training, you will move to a rural community where you will promote education programs that complement the government’s initiatives for early literacy and numeracy learning. You will collaborate with school staff to facilitate activities that accommodate various proficiency levels and learning styles.