Apply by
January 1, 2025
Know by
March 1, 2025
Depart on
September 8, 2025
Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training
Project description
The Literacy Teacher position collaborates with their local co-teacher to identify ways to make a measurable impact on student literacy. Over time, and through the efforts of many players, Volunteers help students make slow and steady progress towards their academic goals.
The Literacy Project has been created through close partnership with the government of Jamaica to support its efforts of having all students at the primary level of the education system literate. The project focuses on providing direct literacy instruction and co-instruction to students who are performing below the required levels; supporting capacity-building efforts for teachers; and assisting parents in developing skills to further support their children’s academic growth.
Ultimately, the project will align with locally-identified priorities by elevating the importance of literacy at the primary level and creating greater opportunities for students to achieve educational, personal, and professional goals through literacy.
Literacy Teachers work under the support of the Ministry of Education and under the supervision of the assigned school principal or their designee. They work alongside community partners Monday to Friday during regular school hours using creative, student-centered strategies to ignite a love of reading, writing and comprehension to develop a strong foundation for each child’s future academic achievement.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline and a strong desire to teach English.
Desired Skills
Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in Preschool, Early Childhood, Middle School, or Elementary Education.
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline with Elementary Education state certification.
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline with classroom teaching experience at the Early Childhood, Middle School, or Elementary level. Full time Montessori teaching experience is also acceptable.
- 3 months experience in early childhood development, elementary education or youth development. This includes elementary education/literacy, life skills education, parent education/support, social work, library studies and/or creative arts, teaching/tutoring in areas of reading, writing and comprehension, classroom and behavioral management, teaching a second language, or ESL tutoring.
Required Language Skills
There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position. There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position; however, Volunteers will be required to learn Patwa for successful safety, security and integration. By the end of Pre-Service Training, Trainees will be expected to have an Intermediate Low Patwa proficiency (assessed through the Language Proficiency Interview) in order to successfully complete training.
Jamaica is a bilingual country. English (Standard Jamaican English) is the official language; however, there is also a Creole known as the Jamaican Patwa which is the language spoken throughout Jamaica, especially in rural areas. While a few Jamaicans, especially those living in urban areas, move easily between Jamaican Patwa and English, the majority speak neither of these in their pure forms. The language and cultural training presented throughout the 27-month training continuum will help prepare Volunteers to speak and understand Jamaican Patwa and culture. This is crucial to facilitate smooth and successful integration into their community.
Living conditions
All Volunteers live in a host family setting for the duration of their service. All assignments are in rural areas, predominantly in the interior and mountainous regions of the island. The standard of living varies widely within rural communities. The most common living situations are a room in a home with a Jamaican family with access to a shared kitchen, although some Volunteers may have an independent unit attached to or near a family home. Most Volunteers have a private bathroom, although a shared one is possible. Cellular phone coverage is available in most rural communities, but there may not be internet at the home. All Volunteers will have access to internet either by purchasing data for home use from their living stipend or by traveling to their worksite or nearby access point. Host families assist Volunteers with orientation in the community, Jamaican home life, and cross-cultural adjustment during Pre-Service Training and in the assigned 2-year community.
Electricity is present island-wide, except in very remote areas. The amenities that each Volunteer will have with their assigned host families will vary; however, all Volunteers will have access to basic amenities, including a stove and refrigerator. Due to scarcity and high prices, conservation of electricity and water is critical while living with Jamaican host families. Volunteers may also experience short or extended power and water outages on a semi-regular basis and especially in the wake of adverse weather events such as storms. In addition, Volunteers should expect to encounter high temperatures on a regular basis and be prepared to cope with extreme heat, as air conditioning is not widely available on the island. Peace Corps staff support Volunteers with training and strategies to integrate and adapt effectively and appropriately to living in the new intercultural context of their host community.
The Jamaican diet consists of mostly chicken although beef, goat, and fish are readily available. Vegetarians and vegans can be well accommodated with a wide selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, and grains available, especially in larger supermarkets.
Learn more about the Volunteer experience in Jamaica: Get detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics in order to make a well-informed decision about serving.
Medical considerations
Before you apply, please review medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
Couples information
Jamaica happily accepts cross-sector couples. Your partner should apply and qualify for:
Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator
Couples will live in the same community but will work on different projects. Couples will live together with a host family during both Pre-Service Training and service.
