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.
Experiential Learning
•Design and facilitate 2-3 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/advisor for a designated group of 5-8 students
•Lead or support (depending on qualifications) 2 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 3 and 8 days
Community Leadership & Residential Life
•Provide community leadership and role model the Island School’s values
•Participate in and lead community chores
•Participate in and facilitate the morning exercise program, including running and swimming
•Be “on duty” approximately 1-2 evenings per week and one weekend per month to support student needs and after-school programming
•Attend and participate in weekly team meetings with semester staff
•Facilitate student group meetings
•Facilitate student experiences off-campus in the local community
•Professional mentorship for aspiring Semester Instuctors
Qualifications:
•Patience, flexibility, and ability to work well in a dynamic, fast-paced, team setting in a remote island location
•Ability to be an inspiring and involved leader
•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 similar orgs
•A commitment to culturally diverse teaching, and demonstrated intercultural competence
Required Skills:
•Proficient computer skills, especially using Google-suite & Microsoft Office
•Bachelor’s degree or higher
•Excellent communication, interpersonal, verbal, and writing skills
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 The Bahamas, was founded to create and support transformational educational experiences with the vision of leadership effecting change, on the island of Eleuthera. The diverse educational initiatives, including our High School Semester and Summer Term, Deep Creek Middle School, Elementary Learning Center, and our Community Engagement and Partnerships, deliver unique educational journeys in conjunction with the authentic and meaningful work our organization undertakes in research and sustainable development at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, our research, and innovation hub. We are reimagining what education is for, and redesigning how education is delivered.
