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 throughout 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 often 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 

Experiential Learning

• Design and facilitate two to three sections of classroom teaching in a designated subject
  (Marine Science, Social Science, English, Math) 
• Assess student work and provide meaningful feedback and summaries of student growth 
• 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 
• Lead or support (depending on qualifications) two sea kayak and van-camping 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 

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 & Microsoft Office
• Bachelor’s degree or higher 

Desirable Qualifications

• Demonstrated skill in leading or supporting 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 debriefing 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
• Comprehensive international medical insurance includes spouse & children
• Life Insurance 
• Dental reimbursement 
• Eligibility for matching retirement plan after two years of service
• Professional development opportunities 
• Housing provided including utilities and internet

Application

Applicants should include the following in their application: 

1. Cover letter 
2. At The Island School, we celebrate creativity, originality, and freedom of expression in
   our community. We would like you to respond to the following prompt using your medium of choice
   (written, video, art work etc): What do you believe education should look like? Please submit by email to [email protected]
3. Current resume
4. Three references (to include name, telephone number and email address)
5. Submit through our BambooHR portal: https://ceis.bamboohr.com/care…

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning March 10th 2024.