Empower Parents by Supporting Special Education in Guyana
The Ministry of Education established a Special Education Needs Department (SEN) in 2017 and appointed an Assistant Chief Education Officer in 2022 to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate initiatives to support an inclusion policy while providing targeted support for students with special education needs. Teachers refer students with parental consent for further testing and treatment, and the SEN department provides support and training.
About the role
Special Needs Education Officers are located at each regional education department to bolster teachers’ professional development, diagnostic screening, assessments, interventions, and treatment while sensitizing parents on the technical support children may need. The department is requesting Virtual Service Pilot Participants to strengthen the capacity of parents, teachers, and education officers on how to support learners with speech delays as well as those who are non-verbal. The VSPP will work with the national and regional special education needs team to facilitate speech therapy for a diverse group as there are few qualified people to effectively support a growing population.
Responsibilities
- Assessment
- Training design and implementation
- Rehabilitation
- Parent/caregiver education
- Collaborate with other agencies to design individual education plans and other resources
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be a U.S. citizen
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in special education
- Experience 2 years teaching in special education classrooms or residential homes with persons who are disabled, handicapped, and/or hearing/visually impaired
- Expertise using digital platforms and integrating digital tools
- Successful completion of supervised assignments
- Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually
Skills
- Co-facilitate weekly sensitization seminars/trainings
- Co-plan and co-facilitate two seminars and three educational programs
- Design and produce at least two brochures and other resources
- Support parents with children who are non-verbal
Benefits
- Engagement and tasks
- Online collaboration between 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Guyana time
- Host country counterpart has access to WhatsApp, Zoom, and Google Meet for regular communication and collaboration
- Two adults must be present when engaging online with minors (0–18)
Pay
Details not specified
Schedule
Details not specified
Benefits
Details not specified
Application Instructions
Details not specified
Optional Additional Activities
The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals: To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.