Teach Art with At-risk Youth in Guatemala City!

Position: Art Teacher

Location: Guatemala City, Department: Creative Expressions Programt, Reports to: Program Coordinator & Director of Education. Conditions: Full time, Volunteer Minimum Time Commitment: 3 months (with a housing allowance offered for eligible applicants)

Safe Passage,a 501(C)3 non-profit d evelopment-focused organization, is seeking an exceptional new Art Teacher to join the Creative Expression Program. Known in Guatemala as Camino Seguro, Safe Passage's mission is to empower the at-risk children and families who live in the Guatemala City garbage dump community by creating opportunity and fostering dignity through the power of education. Safe Passage is a secular, non-political organization.

The Organization Safe Passage provides school fees, educational reinforcement, and nutrition to children contending with extreme poverty. Today Safe Passage serves approximately 550 children and their families with an integrated program that incorporates healthy living, strong academics, life skills, creativity and fun. At Safe Passage, we believe every child should have the opportunity to receive an education. Our programs are designed so that each child gains the skills needed to obtain a stable job, to be self-sufficient and self-reliant, and to lead their families out of poverty in a dignified and permanent way. Safe Passage has more than 100 dedicated staff in Guatemala and a small office in Yarmouth, Maine. At any one time there are more than 40 volunteers from a dozen countries working in the program. Each year, as many as 20 service teams spend a week with Safe Passage, and over a thousand Guatemalan and international visitors come to observe the program. Most importantly, Safe Passage is well-known and well-respected within the community for our methodology of working with, not for, the community.

Safe Passage Creative Expression Program, inspires self-expression that fosters self-esteem, leadership, confidence and responsibility, using the creative process to motivate Safe Passage students to stay in school, stand strong against social risks such as drugs, violence and gang involvement while creating a culture of peace that empowers the individual, family, and community.

The Creative Expression Program operates within Safe Passage´s educational Reinforcement Center (CRE for its signals in Spanish). The classes are designed to create a safe space where students are able to express themselves and discover new talents that will motivate and inspire them to succeed in all areas of their lives. The Creative Expression classes are broken down into three different categories from Art, Music, Play and Values classes with primary aged students, artistic workshops with teenagers, and an art therapy program.

We are currently looking for an Art Teacher to begin training in August and take over classes in September with a minimum commitment through mid December. This position does come with a small housing allowance.

The Art Teacher will be responsible for teaching daily art classes in Safe Passage's Reinforcement Center covering drawing, painting, and sculpture. Classes with younger students focus on lessons from our peace and values education program, while older students participate in small group classes that are centered on visual art techniques. This position also offers opportunities to work one on one with students who either demonstrate an interest in art or are in need of extra attention.

Requirements:

• Passion for Safe Passage's mission, commitment to service and ability to engage children, families, staff and volunteers;

• Understanding of teaching methodologies with at-risk, low-income student populations and experience teaching these populations;

• Experience in art education;

• Intermediate or advanced Spanish;

• Creativity and love for art;

• Positive Attitude.

Responsibilities:

• Plan curriculum and hold art classes with high school age students enriching their knowledge of art history and technique to supplement their classes in school.

• Help with art homework

• Plan curriculum based off UNESCO value system for afternoon classes.

• Facilitate a safe space where expression is valued.

• Classroom and material maintenance; cleaning, organizing, inventory of materials and keeping tabs on needed materials.

• Assist in planning and execution of artistic and cultural showcases for the students

• Saturday Urban Art Club (optional)

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work with and learn about an incredible population while gaining professional experience

• $150 USD/mo housing allownace for a commitment of 3 months or more

• Curriculum provided

• Paid prep time

• Free transportation to the project

• Lunch and snack at the project

• Volunteer appreciation events

• Organizational and departmental culture of friendly, supportive relationships

• Paid sick leave

• 5 paid vacation days per 6-month period

• Paid Guatemalan national holidays