Elementary School Spanish Literacy Teacher

Project Description

Transform reading into an exciting, confidence-building experience for the Dominican Republic's youngest learners.

Dominican students in grades K-6 consistently perform below national benchmarks in math, reading, and science. This is largely because many young learners face obstacles such as limited access to engaging books, few opportunities for interactive reading, and families who may need additional support and encouragement to become more involved in their children's education. Elementary schools are eager to strengthen foundational skills in these subjects to help students build confidence and achieve long-term academic success.

As an Elementary School Spanish Literacy Teacher, you will collaborate with educators to create warm, supportive learning spaces where children feel excited to explore stories, practice new skills, and grow as confident readers. Alongside teachers and school staff, you will bring creative, child-friendly literacy activities into classrooms, provide individualized support, and develop simple learning materials that make reading fun and accessible. You will also help spark family engagement by inspiring caregivers to take an active role in their children's reading journey.

Required Skills

Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
OR
Bachelor's degree in any field.
OR
High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).

Living Conditions

Volunteers will live with a host family for the first two months at their assigned site to support language learning and integration. While you may transition to independent housing afterward, availability is not guaranteed and living conditions vary widely. Homes may lack running water, reliable electricity, or consistent cell service, but these conditions offer opportunities to experience authentic Dominican culture and build resilience.

Job Highlights

Gain practical experience teaching Spanish literacy while building adaptable classroom management and instructional skills.

Advance your Spanish fluency through immersive, day-to-day communication in real-world school and community settings.

Experience the warmth of Dominicans by building relationships that will last a lifetime.

Activities

Design lessons that incorporate effective instructional and literacy practices.
Model, reinforce, and refine evidence-based instructional strategies.
Craft learning materials and support teachers to adapt these resources for specific classroom needs.
Facilitate teacher training sessions as part of ongoing professional development initiatives.
Support teachers in applying techniques that promote a positive, literacy-rich school culture that supports every student's success.
Deliver targeted literacy instruction through class-wide lessons, small group activities, and individualized support.
Plan and facilitate literacy-focused enrichment activities.
Organize and guide family learning events to equip caregivers with effective at-home practices.

You may also work on additional projects that meet the community's interests and priorities, such as creating a school library or planning educational summer camps.

Training

As an Elementary School Literacy Teacher, you will be trained on applying childhood literacy teaching strategies, curriculum design, and differentiated instruction. Peace Corps/Dominican Republic will teach you advanced Spanish to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You will also receive language resources and learn Haitian Creole.

After 9 weeks of training, you will move to a rural or peri-urban community where you will collaborate with elementary schools. You will work with the community to assess the literacy-learning needs and develop solutions based on national curriculum.

Couple Living Conditions

Couples who are selected for the same sector will live together but work with different local partners, which may be in the same community or in neighboring communities (not more than 30 minutes apart)., Cohabitating couples are highly encouraged to present themselves as married throughout service due to cultural expectations.

Couple Training Conditions

Cross-sector couples will live with different host families who may reside in different communities during training. Cross-sector couples may see each other for joint-sector training days or on the weekends but neither are guaranteed.