Deaf Educator at Peace Corps Kenya

Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) will support teachers to increase knowledge and transfer innovative and effective techniques and methods for teaching reading and early literacy skills, and KSL. Volunteers will work collaboratively with teachers to support students to increase literacy levels and support the development of teaching and learning materials and resources required to provide highquality literacy instruction. Finally, Volunteers will collaborate with parents and community members to promote E4D and KSL, encourage children’s literacy, and to promote a reading culture within the community. All E4D Volunteers will work in four focus areas:

• Support building the capacity of teachers in general, literacy, numeracy, KSL, and genderequitable practices in the classroom
• Support students’ in strengthening KSL, literacy and/or numeracy skills
• Support families and caregivers to strengthen support for Deaf students’ access to learning
• Support students’ and teachers’ to increase access to adapted teaching/learning materials and resources to support E4D

Volunteers may be asked to teach a variety of subjects aside from the one which they were invited to teach. Volunteers will coteach in the classroom and cofacilitate activities to build capacity among their counterparts and coteachers. Activities might include the broader community with activities like math competitions, science fairs, camps and clubs, and school improvement projects.

However, more than the skills they bring, the most successful Volunteers in Kenya are patient, flexible, and have a passion for inspiring others.

NOTE: Social distancing and other COVID19 mitigation measures imposed by the Peace Corps, Government of Kenya, and/or host country partners may result in disruption in school activities or school year calendar.

Corporal punishment is illegal in Kenya. While the government has regulations regarding corporal punishment, these rules are not always followed or enforced at the local level. Volunteers may encounter different levels of corporal punishment. Many Volunteers find this challenging, particularly when it is necessary to develop good working relationships with colleagues in the classroom. Peace Corps Kenya encourages open dialogue between Volunteers and their colleagues, and exploring culturally appropriate and acceptable alternatives to corporal punishment. You will receive training and resources on how best to manage situations of corporal punishment in the classroom, using the Safe School curriculum.

Peace Corps Kenya works with local partners to promote gender awareness and girls’ education and empowerment. You will receive training on gender challenges and opportunities in Kenya and you will have the opportunity to coimplement genderrelated activities that are contextually appropriate. During your service, you will look for ways to work with community members to promote genderequitable norms and increase girls’ sense of agency. As part of your work, you will also report on these efforts and their impact.

Required Skills

Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:

•  Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education (general or with emphasis on deaf or hard of hearing)
•  Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline with state certification in special education (general or with emphasis on deaf or hard of hearing)
•  Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a minimum of six months experience working with persons with disabilities or who are deaf or hard of hearing.
•  Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline with a minimum of one year of experience working in classrooms or residential homes with persons with disabilities or who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Desired Skills

Most successful candidates will have one or more of the following relevant qualifications and qualities:

• A willingness and commitment to learn and use Kenyan Sign Language (KSL)
• Prior teaching experience
• Ability to teach large classes (50+ students)
• Experience designing educational content
• Ability to adapt and use different classroom management techniques
• Familiarity with American Sign Language
• Classroom experience teaching deaf children or youth
• Experience in school and/or community presentations with children, youth, or adult learners
• Interest and/or familiarity with HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention
• Interest or experience working with primary and/or secondary school age children
• Experience with graphic design, T.V. captioning, filming, editing or creativity in developing HIV/AIDS educational materials
• Experience with youth development, particularly life skills development, promotion of healthy lifestyles, camps, youth clubs, scouts, etc.
• Candidates should be prepared to cope with cultural differences and engage in discussions for positive change, especially on corporal punishment in schools.