About this role
Deaf Education Specialist
Project Description: Occupational therapists, special education teachers, and speech therapists, your skills are needed to close the gap for Deaf students in Kenya.
The government of Kenya wishes to expand its Education for the Deaf (E4D) project into secondary schools for the Deaf, where students perform below average in math and science. This low performance is directly attributed to the teachers’ lack of Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) vocabulary for teaching math and science subjects, inadequate knowledge on strategies to teach abstract concepts, and resources that are not adapted for Deaf learners. The assessment methods used are meant for hearing learners, with little to no accommodation. Deaf learners also lack experiential learning opportunities.
As a Deaf Education Specialist, you will develop signs that can be used for math and science instruction. Along with local teachers, you will incorporate technology, art, and illustrations to help explain abstract scientific concepts.
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 will be placed in rural communities in Western Kenya. Housing is provided by the work partner and can be a private structure in a family compound, staff housing at the school, or a stand-alone house in the community.
Activities: Strengthen science, technology, engineering, and math instruction skills, critical thinking, and use of research-based teaching practices in the classroom. Develop and document technical signs to facilitate science and math learning for the Deaf. Foster hands-on experiences for Deaf students to apply math and science lessons. Participate in curriculum content delivery and model adapted teaching strategies for Deaf learning. Organize and support the participation of Deaf students in math and science fairs. Inspire parental involvement through special events where parents can learn KSL.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as extracurricular activities and creative arts.
Training: After a 2-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate with staff at a secondary school for the Deaf. 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/Kenya will equip you with Kenyan Sign 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: Learn Kenyan Sign Language from dedicated Language and Cross-Cultural Facilitators. Gain international education experience supporting marginally disadvantaged students. Be the first Response Volunteer to support Kenya’s Education for the Deaf (E4D) program.