Job
description
The Maranyundo Girls
School of Science and Technology is a school of excellence in Nyamata, Rwanda
dedicated to the belief that every girl, regardless of family finances or
background can achieve great things. Opened as a middle school for 180 girls in
2008, it quickly achieved a national reputation for excellence, and has ranked
in the top tier of m
iddle schools in the country every year since its first class
graduated in 2010. This is a remarkable achievement for a school where a
significant number of its students come from impoverished circumstances and
under-performing schools. TheMaranyundo Initiative, a Boston-based 501c3 non-profit organization,
supports the Maranyundo Girls School in its mission to offer academic
excellence to students of all backgrounds.
In 2013, due to the
popularity of the school and requests from students and parents alike, the
school began an expansion to add a STEM high school to the middle school. When
complete in January 2017, the school will have a total enrollment of 360
students and several new buildings on campus including new classrooms,
dormitory, as well as a new library and technology center which will include
new science and computer laboratories.
The addition of this
STEM high school creates both a challenge and an opportunity for the school as
its faculty work to implement best practices for STEM education including
student-centered learning, inquiry-based pedagogy and the effective use of
technology in the classroom. The Maranyundo Initiative is funding this new
position of STEM Coach for Faculty Development to support the school’s 18
faculty and 5 staff during this important transition.
The Ministry of
Education (MINEDUC) and the Rwandan Education Board (REB) recently revised the
Rwandan National Curriculum to be more competency-based, and updated the
requirements for teachers and administrators to include a greater emphasis on
student-centered learning and a more consistent use of new technologies in the
classroom across all disciplines. To assist with the implementation of the new
guidelines, MINEDUC has selected one teacher on each school campus to serve (in
addition to regular teaching duties) as an on-site Faculty Mentor. A key aspect
of the role of the STEM Coach will be to work closely with the Faculty Mentor.
The position of STEM
Coach is a 2-year appointment intended to build internal capacity and help the
Maranyundo School in its transition toward practices of responsive teaching,
particularly in the STEM disciplines. The Coach’s role will be to work
collaboratively with the faculty and act as coach to the Faculty Mentor,
modeling, advising, and guiding in the design and implementation of
school-based professional development to promote student-centered, competency-based
instruction and appropriate use of technology in the classroom.
Qualifications
required for the STEM Coach for Faculty Development
This position
requires a strong background in STEM education, including an undergraduate
degree in a STEM field as well as some degree of graduate level study (Masters
and/or Doctorate) in STEM teaching pedagogy. The ideal candidate will have
demonstrated expertise in a practice of teaching that involves close attention
and responsiveness to student thinking. Experience relevant to the design and
implementation of professional development workshops for middle school and high
school teachers to promote teaching excellence in STEM disciplines is
essential. Classroom teaching experience in a STEM discipline strongly
preferred.
This position will
report directly to the Head of School. The leadership team currently consists
of a Head of School, a Dean of Studies, three Department Heads and a Faculty
Mentor. The STEM Coach for Faculty Development will be expected to assist the
Head of School and Faculty Mentor in creating a culture of teaching excellence
at Maranyundo Girls School of Science and Technology. S/he will also be
expected to work closely with all faculty and students.
Duties:
- Participate
as appropriate in the design and delivery of school-based professional
development activities to promote student-centered learning and
appropriate and effective use of technology in the classroom; - Support
and coach the Faculty Mentor in providing support for teaching faculty as
they increase the use of technology in the classroom in line with MINEDUC
requirements for STEM education; - Work
with the Faculty Mentor in supporting teaching faculty as they implement
student-centered teaching methodologies in line with MINEDUC requirements
for STEM education in the classroom; - Assist
Head of School, Department Heads and Faculty Mentor in creating a culture
of peer support in which regular faculty meetings are held in which
teachers are encouraged to reflect on and share their classroom
experiences and discuss strategies to promote responsive teaching; - Observe
classroom teaching; - Provide
informal feedback and coaching to faculty as appropriate; - Teach
student and/or faculty sessions on basic computer skills as appropriate; - Assist
Head of School in developing a way to document the impact of teacher
development activities on effective classroom practice; - Conduct
research on learning and teaching in the context of classes and activities
at the Maranyundo Girls School of Science and Technology.
Duration: 2
year (preferred); 1 year (considered)
Compensation:
Salary is
commensurate with experience, starting at $40,000/year. Room and board is
provided on the school campus. Position includes roundtrip airfare to and from
Rwanda for each year of service. Health insurance provided for the duration of
term of service. One month of annual leave for each year of employment.
How
to apply
Interested
applicants may send their CV and cover letter to kim.boucher@maranyundo.org.
Three letters of reference will be required.
