Literacy Trainer

Experienced literacy specialists, bring your expertise to inspire a lifelong love of reading among Jamaican students.

Across Jamaica, many learners complete elementary school without the foundational literacy skills needed for future academic success. Limited resources, a shortage of trained literacy specialists, and delays in identifying and addressing reading difficulties have contributed to persistent gaps in national literacy achievement. To tackle these challenges, the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information is prioritizing stronger teacher capacity and enhanced literacy support across multiple parishes.

As a Literacy Trainer, you will collaborate with Ministry personnel and educators to implement evidence-based interventions, develop instructional and assessment resources, analyze literacy data, and support professional development. Your collaborative role will help educators better recognize and respond to students’ individualized needs.

Bachelor's degree in literacy education or relevant field.
AND
Three or more years of experience in literacy education.

The Volunteer will live in a private apartment in St. Mary, Portland, St. Thomas, Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Elizabeth, or Manchester region. Volunteers typically live within 45 minutes from a main town that provides access to essential services and amenities, including banks, supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies, and medical facilities. Electricity and cellular service are generally reliable, although occasional power outages may occur. Internet access is available either in the home or nearby.

Strengthen your expertise in evidence-based literacy instruction, teacher coaching, intervention design, and progress monitoring.
Develop practical training modules, assessment tools, instructional resources, and sustainable professional learning systems.
Build everyday fluency in Patwa through daily conversations while forming authentic relationships.

Coach teachers in evidence-based literacy practices to support students with reading difficulties.
Design literacy intervention plans and develop instructional resources for various grade levels.
Facilitate professional development for teachers, school leaders, and literacy personnel.
Conduct classroom observations and provide targeted, practical feedback to strengthen instruction.
Develop diagnostic, progress-monitoring, and other literacy assessment tools.
Analyze literacy and national examination data to inform intervention planning.
Mentor literacy leaders on practical, evidence-based instructional skills.
Create a long-term plan to sustain and strengthen literacy intervention implementation over time.

You may also work on additional projects that meet the learning community's interests and priorities, such as reading clubs and literacy fairs.

After a two-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to a semi-urban community where you will collaborate with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information to assess the literacy needs and develop a work plan in line with the national curriculum.

Peace Corps/Jamaica will equip you with Patwa language resources and you may work with a tutor who can help you build basic language skills to connect with the community.