About this role
Special Education Teacher Trainer
Project Description: Teachers who have a passion for supporting students with learning disabilities are needed in the Caribbean's Commonwealth of Dominica.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has identified special education support as a priority to address a critical gap in the education system: meeting the diverse needs of students with special education requirements. Limited human resources make it difficult to provide adequate support across all schools. Additionally, many teachers lack specialized training in areas, such as differentiated instruction, classroom behavior management, and curriculum adaptation. This results in students with disabilities being underserved, which can lead to long-term social and economic challenges, including higher dependency rates and limited employment opportunities for adults with disabilities.
As a Special Education Teacher Trainer, you will train local teachers in the areas of instruction, classroom behavior management, and curriculum. Your collaborative efforts will promote inclusive education and societal acceptance of children with special needs.
Required Skills: Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Bachelor of Arts in Education or related field and at least 3 years of Special Education experience, or Master of Arts in Special Education or related field OR 2 or more years of teaching experience OR 2 or more years specialized experience in one of the following areas: ASL, speech therapy, occupational therapy, or working with the visually-impaired
Living Conditions: Volunteers live in standalone houses, apartments, or within family home structures that are a short bus ride away from their work site.
Activities: Identify research-based instructional kits or modules for teaching students with special educational needs. Introduce teachers to blended learning materials and resources. Facilitate staff training on best practices for teaching students with special educational needs, using assistive technology, developing learning resources. Create a manual on practice adaptations and strategies for supporting neurodivergent students. Conduct at least 8 teachers training workshops conducted to train staff in use of resources and best practices suited for the current setting.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as sports or a movie club.
Training: After a 3-week orientation on topics such as health and safety and details of the work assignment, you will move to Roseau Dominica, an urban community where you will work with the partner and your community to assess the local needs and develop a work plan in line with their established goals.
Peace Corps/Dominica will equip you with Creole language resources and you may work with a local tutor who can help you build basic language skills to connect with the community.
Job Highlights: Equip educators with skills to better support students with learning disabilities. Learn common Creole phrases from skilled Language and Cross-Culture Facilitators. Become a valued part of your host family and the community.