Special Education Trainer

Are you a special education teacher, Deaf education specialist, or speech-language pathologist with expertise in literacy development, reading comprehension, or written language delays and disorders? Use your American Sign Language (ASL) or signed English skills to support Deaf and Hard of Hearing learners in Jamaica as they develop strong reading and writing proficiency.

Many Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in Jamaica require individualized instruction beyond what can be provided in the classroom. Approximately 20% of graduating Deaf students score at or below the secondary grade reading level. Schools in Jamaica also face staffing constraints and limited access to special education specialists, making it difficult to provide the intensive support to help these students thrive and academically advance. With the Ministry of Education’s commitment to providing high-quality education to all students, strengthening the education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students is considered a national priority.

As a Special Education Trainer, you will provide individualized and small-group literacy instruction while modeling evidence-based practices for local teachers. You will support assessment and intervention planning and create practical instructional tools teachers can use long after your service. Through direct student support and teacher training, you will help equip schools with the necessary skills and resources to support every student for years to come.

Bachelor's or master's degree in education or a related field.
AND
Two or more years of special education experience, preferably in one of the following areas: American Sign Language (ASL), speech therapy, occupational therapy, or working with visually-impaired.

The Volunteer will reside in a private apartment in Manchester Parish, situated within a suburban community approximately 30 minutes from the nearest major town. This town offers convenient access to essential services and amenities, including banks, supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies, and medical facilities. Electricity and cellular service are generally reliable, though occasional power outages may occur. Internet access is available either in the home or nearby.

Broaden your special education expertise by providing customized literacy instruction to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in Jamaica.
Build everyday fluency in Patwa through daily conversations.
Immerse yourself in Jamaica’s vibrant culture while forming authentic relationships with educators and families.

Conduct literacy assessments to identify students’ strengths and instructional needs.
Provide one-on-one and small-group reading interventions based on individual learning needs.
Teach writing skills, including vocabulary, sentence construction, grammar, and composition.
Develop individualized instructional strategies that support student literacy development.
Model evidence-based literacy teaching techniques during classroom instruction.
Develop literacy intervention materials and visual instructional resources for classroom and intervention use.
Provide informal professional support to teachers on effective literacy instruction for Deaf and Hard of Hearing learners.
Monitor student progress and maintain intervention records to guide instructional planning and decision-making.

You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as participating in school literacy events or community reading initiatives.

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 staff at Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf to assess the students’ learning 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.