Job description: Special Education Teacher Aim and purpose of the job The special education teacher (SET) will work in little groups of children who have learning problems or disabilities. The intention is to develop an individual working program and to stimulate/improve the working of inclusion of these children in collaboration with the school and within the laws of Peru. The goal is to reach an improvement in their learning process with less frustration. The volunteer will be part of the group “psycho pedagogic” under the directive of our psychologist, with whom he/she needs to have a close communication. Working hours are as follows: Monday through Friday, 8.00 – 18.00 with one hour lunch break from 13.00 – 14.00. On free weekends the working week lasts until Thursday 15.00. Responsibilities
Start a program/schedule together with the psychologists and the therapists for the children with the most urgent need of inclusion at school Develop personal goals for every child in communication with the members of ‘health services’ for the outcome Observe and stay in contact with the school responsible and pass on the needed information to the therapists Search for proactive solutions with the psychologist and/or house director when problems at school or at home occur at any given point Plan and realize the classes Develop and maintain an efficient report system Work with children with developmental disorders, ADHD, dyslexic, dyscalculia, behavior problems and emotional problems, etc. Stay in close contact with the other therapists to discuss work methods Attend the regular reunions of ‘health service’ and therapy meetings when requested by the supervisor Collaborate with the other therapists to plan activities, therapy sessions and treatment to reach the outcome of the child Communicate with the caregivers about the children’s behavior, general development and improvement in therapies. Pass on suggestions to improve the development of the children Invite the caregivers to the therapy sessions to educate them on how to improve the learning process of these children Support and train the caregivers to introduce teaching methods Improve the therapy equipment such as therapeutic toys etc. in close cooperation with the home’s administration. Take responsibility for the material Participate in trainings to which you are invited
Minimum qualifications
24 years or older Fluent Spanish; a basic level of English language skills is recommended but not obligatory Diploma and/or license as special education teacher with specialization Intermediate computer skills (word, excel, internet, email) Basic administrative skills Previous experience as special education teacher is preferred but not necessary Enjoys working with children Understanding of the situation of the children (respecting their history and seeing their history as a reason for the inappropriate behaviours) Flexibility, patience and creativity Reliability and responsibility Ability to give individual therapies or in groups Ability to reflect on therapy sessions and to improve and reach the goals Ability to communicate and work together with different specialists and the caregivers Experience with the education of children who display inappropriate behaviours Strong organizational skills and ability to organize and follow work routines and schedules independently Ability to give training to the caregivers if needed Readiness to work in a work environment that is in part characterized by frequently changing colleagues with different professional backgrounds Ability to communicate in a respectful way the needs of the children in the home and school Practice the secret of the professional
Other responsibilities Each volunteer chooses a home in NPH-Peru (group of children of the same age living together) at the beginning of their year. This has been described as the most fulfilling part of volunteering, the bond and relationships formed with their home. This time is during the week daily for one hour and in the weekend during the afternoons. All NPH volunteers receive room and board, access to medical care and a monthly stipend. Volunteers pay for their transportation to and from the home and medical insurance.