Bilingual School Teacher in the Copan Mountains

  Honduras

• Other Cities in Honduras: 
Santa Rosa de Copan

Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks

Description: For the 2009/2010 school year, we are currently seeking teachers for Math, English and Sciences. Each year, HEM School looks for 4 to 6 native English speaking volunteer teachers to teach at our bilingual school on the outskirts of the mountain city of Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras. We normally have a total complement of 20 teachers, so the majority of the teachers are Hondurans, and the many of them are bilingual. We do not seek foreign teachers to save money, as we pay them the same rate as we pay the Honduran bilingual teachers, but we recognize that by American or European standards, this wage qualifies the foreign teachers more as volunteers.

We are not seeking TESEL instructors! Foreign teachers cover the full range of normal school subjects from math to literature, with more of a focus on higher grades and all your classes in English only. Our school day goes from 7:00am to 2:00pm each week day and like all schools in our country we have lots of ferias (holidays).

Teachers normally have 39 classes per week, each of 40 minutes duration. Where possible, we try to distribute the nature of classes you teach to provide some variety for you and to align your work with your specific areas of strength academically.

Highlights: While not associated with any particular church or denomination, we base our school on Biblical principals and open each day with assembly for announcements and prayer. Teachers are required to attend this for the purpose of maintaining order with the students, but are not expected to promote religion in any aspect of their work other than modelling the golden rule, 'treat others as you would wish to be treated by them'.

Qualifications:
1. Completed post secondary education.
2. Native English speaker: this is non-negotiable as that is the primary reason that we seek foreign volunteers to augment our Honduran staff. (If English is your second language, please do not apply)
3. Positive attitude. This affects your results likely more than any other requirement.
4. Ability to organize and present lesson plans.
5. Ability to connect with children / youth and to maintain control over a classroom.
6. Ability to adapt to and enjoy the differences of another culture.

Minimum Education: Bachelors

Cost in US$: 1,200

Salary / Pay: L6,000 per month plus accomodations and medical consultancy. (L6,000 = US317.54)

Experience Required: yes

While we do not require our foreign staff to be certified teachers, we do want to ensure that they have some experience working with children and / or youth before stepping into our classrooms. That experience may take the form of summer programs, tutoring, etc.

Typical Volunteer: Adventurous and committed. The typical volunteer at HEM School is single and with a passion to experience life outside of the normal boundaries. They want to contribute to the development of children and youth and have an impact on a society at the same time. They accept direction as well as unexpected cultural variances. They are mature enough to live for 10 months away from family and friends. Because of accomodation arrangements, we do not accept couples nor single parents with children.

Age Range: 22 - 30 years old

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European and Kiwi Participants.

Participants Travel to Honduras Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Resume

Hector Emilio Medina Bilingual School's Mission Statement: Developing leaders to impact our society.

Year Founded: 1995