Overview
We seek educators with a demonstrated commitment to experiential education and a passion for both teaching and learning. Our Semester Instructors and Expedition Leaders are responsible for facilitating an immersive learning experience for their students, both in and out of the classroom. In addition to on-campus teaching, instructors also lead several multi-day sea kayak expeditions on the coastal waters and remote beaches of South Eleuthera each academic year. Instructors play many roles throughout the semester including: classroom teacher, mentor, disciplinarian, coach, community leader, expedition leader, and role model. Ideal candidates are able to deliver thoughtful, interdisciplinary coursework in their subject, but also share an excitement for connecting classroom learning to life in the community and learning experiences outside the classroom too.
All in one day, an instructor’s work often include: participating in morning exercise with students, teaching a class, doing chores with students, supporting an off-campus SCUBA experience or research project, supporting a project in the local community, and having one-on-one conversations with individual students. By design, student learning extends far beyond our physical classrooms and students do not go home at the end of the “school day”. That means our instructors’ days can be long, fast-paced, and dynamic, but also filled with the rewards of living and working in an intentional community and of having a lasting impact on our young learners.
Duties & Responsibilities
Experiential Learning
Design and facilitate two to three sections of classroom teaching in a designated subject (Marine Science, Social Science, English, Math)
Assess student work and provide meaningful feedback and summaries of student growth
Facilitate interdisciplinary connections across subjects
Facilitate connections between classroom learning and community life, student research, expeditions, and personal growth
Support experiential student research classes which may take place at sea, on the farm, or at the Cape Eleuthera Institute research labs
Serve as a mentor and advisor for a designated group of 5-8 students throughout their semester journey
Lead or support (depending on qualifications) two sea kayak and van-camping expeditions each semester. Expeditions are aimed at personal growth, group dynamics, and building on students’ on-campus learning and last between three and eight days
Qualifications:
Patience, flexibility, and ability to work well in a dynamic, fast-paced, team setting in a remote island location
Experience working with and mentoring high-school-aged students
Experience teaching/educating, in formal or non-traditional settings, or a combination
Experience in outdoor/experiential education with Outward Bound, NOLS, or other similar organizations
Proficient computer skills, especially using Google-suite & Microsoft
Bachelor's degree or higher
Preferred Skills:
Demonstrated skill in leading or supporting sea kayaking expeditions
Experience designing curriculum and writing lesson plans
Experience with semester-based, gap year, or immersion programs
Experience with expedition leadership/outdoor trip-leading
Experience living abroad and/or in an intentional community setting
Wilderness First Responder certification
Familiarity with Bahamian culture
About The Island School
The Island School, a not-for-profit organization based in Eleuthera, The Bahamas, was founded in 1999 to create and support transformational educational experiences with the mission of leadership effecting change. The diverse CEIS educational initiatives, including the Island School Semester and Summer Term, Deep Creek Middle School, the Early Learning Center, and Community Outreach, deliver unique education in partnership with the authentic and meaningful work our organization undertakes in research, sustainable development and innovation at the Cape Eleuthera Institute.
The Island School Semester program is a single immersive semester on Eleuthera for approximately 52 high school sophomores and juniors. Semester faculty often have experience in experiential education in addition to a focus in a specific academic discipline.
