Semester Instructor & Expedition Leader

Overview

The Island School, a not-for-profit organization based in Eleuthera, The Bahamas, was founded in 1999 to create and support transformational educational experiences with the mission of leadership effecting change. The diverse CEIS educational initiatives, including the Island School Semester and Summer Term, Deep Creek Middle School, the Early Learning Center, and Community Outreach, deliver unique education in partnership with the authentic and meaningful work our organization undertakes in research, sustainable development and innovation at the Cape Eleuthera Institute.

The Island School Semester program is a single immersive semester on Eleuthera for approximately 52 high school sophomores and juniors. Semester faculty often have experience in experiential education in addition to a focus in a specific academic discipline.

Job Summary

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 through 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 could 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.

Duties & Responsibilities

Classroom Learning

• Design and facilitate two to three sections of classroom teaching in a designated subject (Marine Ecology, Histories, Literature, Math)
• Assess student work and provide meaningful feedback and summaries of student growth

Experiential Learning

• Lead between two and four sea kayak expeditions each semester. Expeditions are aimed at personal growth, group dynamics, and building on students’ on-campus learning and last between three and eight days
• 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 and advisor for a designated group of 5-8 students throughout their semester journey

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
• Support minor student medical needs as they arise
• Attend and participate in weekly team meetings with semester staff
• Facilitate student group meetings
• Facilitate student experiences off-campus in the local community
• Provide professional mentorship for aspiring Semester Instructors
• Other duties as assigned by the Semester Leadership team

Minimum 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

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, verbal, and writing skills
• Experience in outdoor/experiential education with Outward Bound, NOLS, or other similar organizations
• A commitment to culturally diverse teaching, and demonstrated intercultural competence
• Proficient computer skills, especially using Google-suite
• Bachelor’s degree or higher

Desirable Qualifications

• Demonstrated skill in leading 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

Schedule

The Semester Instructor and Expedition Leader role follows the academic calendar and staff work from the beginning of August until the end of May. This includes training and orientation in August, preparation and debrief time before and after each semester, and a mid-winter break between Semesters. Staff typically have the months of June and July off each year. However, some staff may choose to instruct during the summer term and receive additional compensation for that summer work. The staff are collectively responsible for students day and night for the entirety of their 100 day journey. As such this role includes work in the early mornings, on evenings and on weekends.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience
• Access to dining hall meals (3/day) when the dining hall is open
• Medical insurance
• Life Insurance
• Dental reimbursement
• Eligibility for matching retirement plan after two years of service
• Professional development opportunities
• Housing provided

Application

Applicants should include the following in their application:

3. Three references (to include name, telephone number and email address)

4. Submit through our BambooHR portal: https://ceis.bamboohr.com/careers