Start date
September 1, 2026

End date
March 9, 2027

Duration
27 weeks

ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Activity/project background

The Special Education Unit within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology in Belize is dedicated to enhancing the educational experience for students with diverse needs across the country. The unit currently focuses on developing inclusive education policies, implementing specialized programs, and distributing resources to support physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of all students. Their ongoing initiatives include teacher training, policy development, and school-based interventions aimed at improving access to quality education for students.

To further strengthen these efforts, the Special Education Unit seeks support in enhancing its teacher training initiatives to improve inclusive education practices at early childhood, elementary, and secondary levels. This includes building capacity for developing individualized education plans (IEPs), utilizing differentiated instruction, and implementing assessment tools for students with diverse needs. The Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) will offer expertise in inclusive education strategies and guide educators in applying best practices to meet the needs of all learners, including those with disabilities or learning challenges. The selected VSPPs are anticipated to engage with a variety of educators who work as special education teachers, classroom teachers, and school administrators, all of whom play a vital role in fostering an inclusive learning environment.

The organization is presently collaborating with a Peace Corps Response Volunteer. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a two-year Volunteer.

Engagement and tasks

The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:

• Co-design four teacher training modules focused on inclusive education strategies, including differentiated instruction, and assessment tools. This will occur during the first four weeks, with sessions scheduled for 2-hour blocks weekly, 2:00–4:00 p.m. Belize time
• Conduct two 90-minute professional development workshops per month, on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, 6:00–7:30 p.m. Belize time, to train teachers and administrators on applying inclusive education practices in the classroom
• Offer weekly virtual mentorship and support to teachers implementing inclusive strategies. This will occur in 1-hour sessions every Tuesday evening, 6:00–7:00 p.m. Belize time, through Zoom or WhatsApp
• After each training session, review progress with the Special Education Unit, gathering feedback and making necessary adjustments to the training content or delivery. Meetings will be held bi-weekly on Fridays from 2:00–3:00 p.m. Belize time via Zoom.
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 15 hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 2:00–4:00 p.m. Belize time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The host country counterpart will have access to Zoom, Teams, and WhatsApp for regular communication and collaboration.

Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0–18), two adults must be present.

Optional Additional Activities

The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:

• To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
• To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
• To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
  
  

Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.

Essential Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, special education, educational psychology, or related field

Experience:

• 3 years teaching special education or inclusive education settings
• Conducting teacher training or professional development workshops
• Designing and delivering virtual trainings
  
  

Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible; strong cross-cultural agility; high tolerance for ambiguity; able to work independently; resourceful; creative; genuinely motivated; and capable to serve virtually