We are currently looking for a qualified, experienced and motivated trainer to train and support our volunteer teachers across all of our teaching programs. The position may be full-time or part-time, and will report to our Program Director. The successful candidate will be Shanghai-based.
This position provides an exciting opportunity for a qualified candidate to utilize their skills in the non-profit arena and develop new training approaches with a unique focus on volunteer teachers. The job offers potential for personal and professional growth in a friendly and supportive work environment.
Position Description
The new trainer will join a team of 12 staff members, including 7 program staff and 5 support staff. The program team collaborates to recruit, train and support volunteers to teach the following subjects:
1. English
- Volunteers deliver fun and interactive oral English lessons to motivate and engage students in their English-learning process, using an English-language medium in the classroom.
2. Digital Literacy
- Volunteers teach important skills and concepts of digital literacy, including computer basic (typing, Microsoft Office, online security, internet, search engines, web-based software, and smartphone tech), coding, graphical programming, embedded system design (Micro:bit), and design thinking. Classes are designed to unleash creativity, encourage communication, develop critical thinking, and increase confidence and self-esteem.
3. Social & Emotional Learning
- Volunteers facilitate professionally-designed interventions and fun activities to encourage children to recognize emotions, be aware of their own thoughts, feelings and actions, develop positive relationships, work in teams and communicate effectively.
These three subjects are delivered in the following different contexts:
1. Offlline:
a) Shanghai: Volunteers travel to schools and community centres throughout Shanghai on a weekly basis to teach the children of migrant workers and low-income households. We also sometimes run one-off teaching activities with corporate volunteer groups.
b) Rural areas – Volunteers (individuals or groups) travel occasionally to schools and community centres in other parts of China to teach rural children including those “left-behind” by migrant parents.
2. Online:
a) School Videolink – Volunteers teach students in classrooms in rural schools and community centres through videolink technology.
b) Home Classroom – Small groups of students living in rural areas are taught by a volunteer online from their own homes.
For all programs, volunteer-friendly lesson plans are provided by Stepping Stones’ experienced curriculum developers. The Teacher Trainer would be expected to be familiar with the curriculum and able to train and support the volunteers to use the curriculum, though the focus of training will be on general classroom management and teaching techniques rather than subject-specific.
Training and monitoring responsibilities
- Provide trainings, workshops and other support to Stepping Stones’ volunteers;
- Develop volunteer training materials in collaboration with Stepping Stones’ Curriculum Director;
- Visit schools and community centres in Shanghai and occasionally in rural areas to support and observe volunteers, and provide constructive feedback to volunteers and program managers;
- Observe online lessons and provide constructive feedback to volunteers and program managers;
- Occasionally stand in for absent volunteers when necessary;
- Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation tools to gather feedback from our programs to allow us to assess needs and measure impact;
- In collaboration with the program team and curriculum developers, develop and implement new strategies focused on the improvement of teaching quality.
Minimum Qualifications
- Educated to at least bachelor-degree level, and with a relevant teaching qualification;
- At least four years of teaching experience, preferably in topics such as computer science, digital literacy, English and/or life skills, and ideally some teacher training experience;
- Familiarity with using online teaching platforms;
- Fluency in Chinese; advanced-level oral and written English communication skills.
- Ability to work efficiently independently, good organisational abilities;
- Enthusiastic team player with the ability to motivate and encourage volunteers;
- Strong interest in the non-profit/volunteering sector;
- Excellent work ethic, with a positive and flexible attitude.
Other Requirements
- To ensure the sustainability of the relevant projects, a long-term commitment is preferred;
- Part-time working hours may be possible (e.g. 3-4 days per week);
- Note that some weekend work may be required, as some trainings will be scheduled then. We operate a flexible working schedule, where staff are encouraged to take time off to compensate for overtime worked.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation will be at local market levels in the non-profit sector and take into consideration the skills and experience of the successful applicant. Stepping Stones will provide all statutory benefits, plus 10 days’ annual leave in the first year of employment (pro-rated according to the actual working hours).
Ideally, candidates should already be based in China, noting that Stepping Stones is unable to cover relocation costs or assist with accomodation.
Start Date
- As soon as possible and ideally by 1st June, 2023.
Work Location
- Stepping Stones’ office is at No 75, Leshan Road, Shanghai, and this position will involve regular travel to our partner school and community center sites in Shanghai and sometimes in rural areas. Occasional working from home may be possible.
Contact
- To apply for this position, please send your resume to hr@steppingstoneschina.net by 12th May 2023 with a cover letter to explain your suitability for this job position, and why you are interested in it. Bilingual applications are preferred.