Primary School Teacher

Required Degrees: Education degree or teaching license
Fields of Expertise: ESL/EFL ,  Elementary ,  Kindergarten ,  Science ,  Math/Physics ,   
Salary: $500 USD

Details: The Academia Internacional de Cabrera (AIC) is fully staffed for the 2009-2010 school year. However, the school is actively seeking CVs/resumes from energetic, creative teachers who are flexible and available in the event that one of our current staff leaves on short notice (e.g., due to a family emergency). AIC was established 2 years ago in the small town of Cabrera on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. The aim of the school is to provide a quality, affordable bilingual education (Spanish and English) to local children.
The pre-K through 7th grade school has around 100 students (90 Dominicans and about a dozen foreign students, mostly from the US). There are currently 7 core staff (from the US), 3 local Spanish/social studies teachers, and several ancillary staff. AIC follows and adapted US curriculum and encourages teachers to integrate skills through project-based instruction. Unlike the local public schools, AIC offers full-day instruction (from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM). The school is relatively well resourced, but obtaining teaching materials and services such as photocopying and Internet connectivity can be challenging.
Incoming teachers would teach a class from pre-school to 7th grade. There is significant demand for English instruction by parents and other community members, so teachers with ESL/EFL teaching experience are encouraged to apply. Some knowledge of Spanish (or a willingness to learn) is very helpful for communication with students, parents and fellow teachers.
Cabrera is a small village along the picturesque North Coast of the country. It has a very authentic parque in the center of town, which is alive with music, dancing, Cuba libres and just being seen on the weekends. The town is peaceful and safe, with excellent access to a half-dozen world-class beaches (5-15 minutes drive in either direction).
Required qualifications
• Primary school teaching certificate or education degree
Preferred qualifications
• Enthusiastic
• Creative and resourceful
• Collegial
• ESL/ESL teaching experience
• Montessori training (for pre-school teachers) a plus
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred
• Experience living and working in a developing country
Compensation
This position promises a good professional experience and a nice place to live for a year (or more), but is closer to a volunteer assignment or full-year internship. AIC is partly supported by private donors and student tuition, which is kept low to allow lower and middle-income residents of Cabrera to attend. Foreign teachers are provided $500/month and a small housing allowance – enough to live comfortably (but not extravagantly) in Cabrera. Unfortunately, travel expenses to and from the DR cannot be covered.