Youth Life Skills Teacher

Communities in Guatemala are seeking support to teach young people life skills and help them succeed.

Fewer than 47% of Guatemalan youth attend middle school, and only 25% attend high school. This high rate of school desertion is especially concerning given that more than one-third of the country’s population is under age 25. Expanding access to meaningful learning opportunities and strengthening youth support systems are critical to meet Guatemala’s national goal of providing all citizens with free, high-quality education. In 2025, national leaders elevated youth development as a priority; however, coordination gaps at the local level persist, underscoring an urgent need for stronger collaboration among the Ministry of Education, municipal governments, and youth‑focused organizations. Communities remain eager to strengthen their capacity to more effectively support young people in developing positive self‑concept, decision‑making, communication, social, and other essential life skills.

As a Youth Life Skills Teacher, you will collaborate with staff at schools or youth-focused organizations to strengthen the knowledge and skills of youth in the areas of well-being and life skills. In this role, you will provide culturally appropriate education and mentorship to equip young people with the necessary tools to make informed choices and apply what they learn to make a positive impact. Alongside your colleagues, you will enable young people to avoid risky behaviors, contribute to their community, and prepare for a successful future.

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 (from any combination of roles).

Most Volunteers live in medium-sized to larger rural communities of approximately 3,000 to 40,000 people, where homes typically have electricity and running water, although services may be intermittent. Volunteers are required to live with a host family for the full duration of their service in Guatemala and will have their own private bedroom, with access to a private or shared bathroom. Volunteers currently live and work in the departments of Sacatepéquez, Chimaltenango, Sololá, El Quiche, Totonicapán, and Quetzaltenango.

Advance your Spanish language skills through daily conversations with colleagues and the community.
Become a more skilled, adaptable, and student-focused educator by gaining classroom experience in South America.
Build meaningful connections while appreciating Guatemalan traditions.

Identify opportunities to engage youth and community partners through a participatory approach.
Design and facilitate engaging classes that promote leadership and life skills.
Develop and implement hands-on activities that enable youth to apply life skills in their communities.
Develop strategies that strengthen youth participation, leadership, and engagement.
Monitor and evaluate youth activities and share progress with stakeholders.

You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as supporting English and art clubs or after-school sports.

As a Youth Life Skills Teacher, you will be trained on teaching life skills, managing classrooms, and engaging youth outside the classroom. Peace Corps/Guatemala will teach you advanced Spanish to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You will also receive language resources for self-study.

After 10 weeks of training, you will move to rural or urban community where you will collaborate with middle schools, high schools, and youth-focused organizations to assess the needs and develop long-term solutions based on positive youth development methodologies.