Elementary Education Co-Teacher - Volunteer Position - Onsite in Philippines - 2 years, plus 3 months training
Peace Corps
United States
Posted on Aug 2, 2025
About The Job
Apply by :
January 1, 2026
Know By
March 1, 2026
Depart On
July 10, 2026
Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training
ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Project description
As one of the first education projects established in the Peace Corps, this project follows a strong tradition of mission-driven service and addresses the changing needs of the Philippines and its education system. The Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) has overseen significant changes in the education system when it transitioned in 2012 from a 10-year basic education program to a 13-year basic education program, adding kindergarten and grades 11 and 12.
Elementary Education Co-Teacher Volunteers will engage with teachers, education officials, Local Government Units (LGUs), parents, and other education stakeholders by 1) working with teachers, 2) supporting students, and 3) engaging the community.
Working With Teachers
Elementary Education Co-Teacher Volunteers engage with Filipino teachers in the classroom to co-teach English and other English-based subjects like Mathematics and Science. They also contribute to supporting the professional development of teachers in the areas of literacy, student-centered approaches, hands-on activities, and development of learning resources that support the curriculum. In the last few years, there has been an increased focus in the development of remedial reading programs, learning modules, educational videos, and the utilization of technology to teach students, thereby opening exciting opportunities for collaboration. Moreover, Volunteers can participate in teacher training programs through school or district-level capacity building activities. In these teacher training activities, Volunteers can work in an environment of mutual respect and learning where their creativity, collaborative problem-solving skills, innovative ideas, and people and networking skills are highly valued.
Supporting Students
Typical Filipino classes have 30 to 50 elementary students who come from various socio-economic backgrounds, family environments, and access to learning resources outside the classroom. Due to the different levels of exposure to English, reading and educational resources, many students struggle with basic reading and comprehension of English. As a result, they fall behind in academic subjects that use English as the language of instruction. In addition to co-teaching English and English-based subjects, education Volunteers in the Philippines collaborate with teachers in developing and implementing inclusive remedial reading programs for individuals or small groups of students to raise their English reading level. Volunteers also carry out activities to develop English language skills outside the regular class time such as English clubs, language camps, journalism, and writing competitions.
Engaging The Community
Schools in the Philippines are encouraged and expected to work together with the community and the LGUs. This collaborative environment provides many great opportunities for Volunteers to engage and support members of the community through different locally prioritized projects. Volunteers implement a variety of projects based on specific school needs such as library development, school plays, environmental camps and initiatives, leadership training, and whole school events. Volunteers can also contribute to the Department of Education’s effort to ensure access to education for out-of-school youth and adult learners who, for economic and other reasons, cannot attend regular school. The Alternative Learning System centers are usually located in the central elementary schools providing Volunteers the opportunity to support the learning of out-of-school youth and adults.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Apply by :
January 1, 2026
Know By
March 1, 2026
Depart On
July 10, 2026
Duration
2 years, plus 3 months training
ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Project description
As one of the first education projects established in the Peace Corps, this project follows a strong tradition of mission-driven service and addresses the changing needs of the Philippines and its education system. The Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) has overseen significant changes in the education system when it transitioned in 2012 from a 10-year basic education program to a 13-year basic education program, adding kindergarten and grades 11 and 12.
Elementary Education Co-Teacher Volunteers will engage with teachers, education officials, Local Government Units (LGUs), parents, and other education stakeholders by 1) working with teachers, 2) supporting students, and 3) engaging the community.
Working With Teachers
Elementary Education Co-Teacher Volunteers engage with Filipino teachers in the classroom to co-teach English and other English-based subjects like Mathematics and Science. They also contribute to supporting the professional development of teachers in the areas of literacy, student-centered approaches, hands-on activities, and development of learning resources that support the curriculum. In the last few years, there has been an increased focus in the development of remedial reading programs, learning modules, educational videos, and the utilization of technology to teach students, thereby opening exciting opportunities for collaboration. Moreover, Volunteers can participate in teacher training programs through school or district-level capacity building activities. In these teacher training activities, Volunteers can work in an environment of mutual respect and learning where their creativity, collaborative problem-solving skills, innovative ideas, and people and networking skills are highly valued.
Supporting Students
Typical Filipino classes have 30 to 50 elementary students who come from various socio-economic backgrounds, family environments, and access to learning resources outside the classroom. Due to the different levels of exposure to English, reading and educational resources, many students struggle with basic reading and comprehension of English. As a result, they fall behind in academic subjects that use English as the language of instruction. In addition to co-teaching English and English-based subjects, education Volunteers in the Philippines collaborate with teachers in developing and implementing inclusive remedial reading programs for individuals or small groups of students to raise their English reading level. Volunteers also carry out activities to develop English language skills outside the regular class time such as English clubs, language camps, journalism, and writing competitions.
Engaging The Community
Schools in the Philippines are encouraged and expected to work together with the community and the LGUs. This collaborative environment provides many great opportunities for Volunteers to engage and support members of the community through different locally prioritized projects. Volunteers implement a variety of projects based on specific school needs such as library development, school plays, environmental camps and initiatives, leadership training, and whole school events. Volunteers can also contribute to the Department of Education’s effort to ensure access to education for out-of-school youth and adult learners who, for economic and other reasons, cannot attend regular school. The Alternative Learning System centers are usually located in the central elementary schools providing Volunteers the opportunity to support the learning of out-of-school youth and adults.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-school, Early Childhood, Middle School, or Elementary Education
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline with Elementary Education state certification
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline with 1 or more school year classroom teaching experience at the Early Childhood, Middle School, or Elementary level. Full time Montessori teaching experience is also acceptable