Teaching with Montessori or Waldorf in Las Terrenas

  Dominican Republic

Las Terrenas

Duration of Program: 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Rolling dates

Description: Las Terrenas is a multicultural community with a growing population of expats and about 15,000 local residents. There's an increasing need for a Pre-K/K/PrePrimary bilingual (English & Spanish) educational program as well as for alternative and progressive methodologies. The need comes from expats as well as dominicans who are seeking for an enriching, diverse, and culturally respectful educational program. Our Foundation is exploring the possibility of starting an unofficial educational program with a group of 4-6 year old kids using Montessori, Waldorf or other creative and holistic methods. The idea is to use arts, music, reading-'riting-rithmetic and the environment as content areas. The volunteer/intern would work with local parents and other volunteers, would help build/create resources as well as help determine program scope, content and practices. The idea is to start small, with 3-6 kids and with families who are already familiar with some of the philosophies or have a good sense of outcomes desired so that they are in a better position to support this startup project.

Highlights: Las Terrenas is a beautiful place with miles of undending beaches, mountains, great restaurants (French, Italian, Spanish, German, Dominican and many others), natural wonders like waterfalls, springs, caves, trails, humpback whales, national parks and many opportunities to help the community to be even better. A former fishing village it has now become a hectic metropoli with lots of tourist development going on, including many new buildings and shopping plaza. It's being called the "Montecarlo of the Caribbean." This opportunity would place you in the midst of a multicultural community with over 1,500 French families, hundreds of Italians, Germans, Spanish and people from at least 25+ nationalities in addition to hundreds of Dominican families. If you are socially-concerned there are opportunities to get involved in literacy, environmental, health and educational projects as well. The Foundation operates a library and has an ambition of transforming it into a truly media and educational center for a variety of practices that include arts, music, information technology and the environment. You would help make it a reality.

Qualifications: We are seeking someone with a degree in teaching, who is creative, a self-starter, experienced, willing to teach and to learn and to be a pioneer. Training or experience in teaching that age group is very important and training and expertise in either Montessori or Waldorf is highly desirable. The ideal person should be committed to stay for at least a year.

Minimum Education: Bachelors

Cost in US$: The Foundation charges $200 program costs to each volunteer, but it's exempted for this position.

Credit Available: yes

Salary / Pay: No salary is paid. A stipend would be offered similar to a local teacher's salary but no more than $250-400 a month,always depending on contributing families. A local teacher makes approximately $250-300 a month for full-time employment. A free room would be provided in the Foundation's volunteer house (shared bath) with access to a fully equipped kitchen (but volunteer pays its share of electricity or $2/day). Volunteer may come with spouse/partner in same room at no additional expense.

Experience Required: yes

Previous teaching experience, preferably with Montessori and/or Waldorf.

Typical Volunteer: A college graduate looking for an experience abroad doing something meaningful for children and youth, socially conscious, aware of poverty and willing to do something about it, committed to the environment, culturally respectful, independent and willing to learn.

Age Range: 21-65

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Dominican Republic Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Fundacion Mahatma Gandhi's Mission Statement: To enhance the quality of life of the people with whom we work, using suitable resources, in an authentic and continuous learning environment. [Mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas con quienes trabajamos, usando recursos idoneos, en un ambiente autentico y de aprendizaje constante.

Year Founded: 2005