Elementary School Literacy Teacher - Volunteer Position - Onsite in Sierra Leone • Africa - 2 years, plus 3 months training
United States
Posted on Aug 5, 2026
About The Project
Bring your passion for elementary education to school in Sierra Leone and ignite a love for learning among young students.
One of Sierra Leone’s greatest educational challenges is ensuring students enroll in school and remain engaged, especially in environments where poverty and limited digital readiness create significant barriers. Rural schools face persistent teacher shortages, as many trained and qualified teachers leave for higher-paying opportunities with non-government organizations or schools in urban areas. As a result, recent surveys indicate as many as 40% of elementary school teachers are untrained or unqualified, signaling an urgent need to develop instructional skills and classroom practice. At the same time, a surge in student enrollment has led to overcrowded classrooms and a growing reliance on uncertified, volunteer teachers.
As an Elementary Literacy Teacher, you will develop and implement English teaching strategies alongside Sierra Leonean educators. Together, you’ll facilitate active learning games, develop classroom resources, and nurture a positive reading culture. Your efforts will help elementary school students develop foundational knowledge that will shape their academic, social, emotional, and personal development for years to come.
Activities
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Incorporate research-based strategies in the classroom to ensure all student needs are met.
Prepare fun, hands-on lessons and supportive materials for students ages 6–12.
Teach interactive English literacy lessons that build phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Address foundational learning gaps to support student progress.
Provide training on language-enrichment strategies and effective grading and evaluation practices.
Identify opportunities to integrate life skills lessons into existing subjects.
Encourage community engagement for English language learning outside of the classroom.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as developing a school library or reading club.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
OR
Bachelor's degree in any field.
OR
High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Key dates
APPLY BY : December 15, 2026
KNOW BY : February 1, 2027
DEPART ON : July 9, 2027
DURATION : 2 years, plus 3 months training
Bring your passion for elementary education to school in Sierra Leone and ignite a love for learning among young students.
One of Sierra Leone’s greatest educational challenges is ensuring students enroll in school and remain engaged, especially in environments where poverty and limited digital readiness create significant barriers. Rural schools face persistent teacher shortages, as many trained and qualified teachers leave for higher-paying opportunities with non-government organizations or schools in urban areas. As a result, recent surveys indicate as many as 40% of elementary school teachers are untrained or unqualified, signaling an urgent need to develop instructional skills and classroom practice. At the same time, a surge in student enrollment has led to overcrowded classrooms and a growing reliance on uncertified, volunteer teachers.
As an Elementary Literacy Teacher, you will develop and implement English teaching strategies alongside Sierra Leonean educators. Together, you’ll facilitate active learning games, develop classroom resources, and nurture a positive reading culture. Your efforts will help elementary school students develop foundational knowledge that will shape their academic, social, emotional, and personal development for years to come.
Activities
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Incorporate research-based strategies in the classroom to ensure all student needs are met.
Prepare fun, hands-on lessons and supportive materials for students ages 6–12.
Teach interactive English literacy lessons that build phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Address foundational learning gaps to support student progress.
Provide training on language-enrichment strategies and effective grading and evaluation practices.
Identify opportunities to integrate life skills lessons into existing subjects.
Encourage community engagement for English language learning outside of the classroom.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as developing a school library or reading club.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
OR
Bachelor's degree in any field.
OR
High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Key dates
APPLY BY : December 15, 2026
KNOW BY : February 1, 2027
DEPART ON : July 9, 2027
DURATION : 2 years, plus 3 months training