Teach ESL in Honduras to At-Risk Children and Orphans

Are you looking for an opportunity to teach somewhere abroad to empower children from marginalized communities? Are you searching for a volunteer opportunity that comes with a living stipend and free housing? Are you hoping to volunteer for an extended amount of time, but not the 2.5 years that the Peace Corps asks for? Would you like to help a cause that has been featured on CNN, CNN en Espanol, Larry King Live, and USA Today? Would you like to volunteer for an organization that is headed by a CNN Hero?

If so, consider teaching for a year at our Villa Soleada Bilingual School.

In 2012, we opened the Villa Soleada Bilingual School in northern Honduras with the goal to serve up to 250 children from the surrounding villages and our orphanage. Many of our students come from families that live on just a few dollars a day. Our orphanage is located right near the school, and our elementary school aged kids attend classes there.

Housing and Food:

Our volunteers will live in a comfortable staff house in El Progreso (15 minutes from the school) and will be provided with transportation to and from the school in our bus.

Much of the time there is running water and flush toilet. Occasionally there is no actual running water. When this happens, we use the water that is collected outside the house in a large cement trough called a "pila." This water is used to flush the toilet, shower and wash dishes and clothes. Electricity is relatively reliable, but can go out occasionally.

In addition to accommodation and shared internet access, we provide a food budget for the volunteers. Lunch is prepared at school for the volunteers on school days.

Requirements:

Teaching experience and a knowledge of Spanish are both desirable volunteer traits. However, we are most interested in individuals who are flexible, able to deal with significant challenge and willing to learn along with us.

In the past, most of our volunteers have ranged in age from 21-35 and have come from a variety of professional backgrounds including everything from social work to international development. The most important qualities we look for in our volunteers are a genuine commitment to service and the ability to be a team player. We retain the right to dismiss a volunteer if it is in the best interest of the children or the program.

Teacher Training:

Our organization will provide a six-week training program upon your arrival in July where you will get introduced to the community and spend time in the classrooms.

Timeline:

The one-year teaching commitment begins in July and ends in June of the following year. Teachers have a holiday break from approximately December 20th until January 4th. Teachers are responsible for leaving Honduras during this time for visa renewal reasons. The vast majority of volunteers return to the United States to visit friends and family during the holidays. Some volunteers decide to visit neighboring countries instead.

General Responsibilities:

Please note that life in Honduras can be unpredictable. Sometimes our teachers are called upon to do things that fall outside the scope of the activities listed here.

1. Facilitate relationships with parents and other community members.
2. Lesson-plan (to be done in a timely manner and submitted for review).
3. Foster a safe and productive classroom environment for students.
4. Serve as a Lunch/Recess monitor at least once a week.
5. Support your fellow teachers in school and at home.
6. Serve as an ambassador for our organization by helping to spread the word about our work to your families and friends.
7. Ask for help when you need it!

Administrative Duties:

1. Maintain attendance records for all students in your homeroom.
2. File a copy of your weekly lesson plans on the agreed upon schedule.
3. Provide administration with a copy of your weekly class schedule before the week begins.
4. Sign 'Libro de asistencia' upon entering and leaving school each day (required by law).
5. Ensure classroom is open and ready for students at beginning and end of school day.
6. Attend all teacher meetings.
7. Keep the office informed of any problems (disciplinary or otherwise) you are having with students or concerns you have about students.
8. Keep student files updated with the information outlined in Student Files section.
9. Keep the office informed of extended absences of students.

Exam Administration Responsibilities:

1. Grade exams.
2. Collect performance grades from other teachers and prepare Bimester report cards.
3. Fill out hard-copy of grading spreadsheet.
4. Fill out electronic version of grading sheet - kept on a computer accessible for all.
5. Fill out "Libreta de Calificaciones"

Other Responsibilities Individual Volunteers can choose to take part in:

1. Organize after-school reading workshops.
2. Plan field trips.
3. Plan and organize extracurricular activities for students.
4. Attend Parents' Asociacion Meetings (at discretion of Administrator).
5. Participate in fundraising efforts to support our program costs.
6. Innovate!

The Application Process:

In order apply, please email a resume and cover letter explaining why you would like to become a teacher with us to trips@studentshelpinghonduras.org. The email subject line should read: Teach in Honduras Application (gooverseas).

Once you complete the online application, a representative will be contacting you to set up an online interview.

Please note that applicants need not be certified teachers nor fluent Spanish speakers.