Abriendo Mentes

Guanacaste Literacy/Abriendo Mentes is currently seeking a volunteer ESL teacher with past teaching experience for our newest project in Playa Brasilito on the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica for Spring/Summer 2012. This volunteer will be leading a elementary aged ESL class. Classes are held in the public school from 2:30pm - 5pm four days a week. Housing options for volunteers are located in Playa Potrero, and bus fee to and from Brasilito (15 minutes) will be provided. The volunteer is needed from April 16th and a minimum three months commitment is required.

The original Abriendo Mentes project is operating in the small village of Playa Potrero, Costa Rica - the next town over from Playa Brasilito. Volunteers also have the opportunity to be involved in the Abriendo Mentes extra-curricular programs, which focuses on developing creativity and critical thinking, as well as emphasizing physical activity, environmental and global awareness.

Extra- curricular activities include:

Art Classes

Pen-pal Program

Experiential Learning Excursions

Sustainable Garden Project

Beach Clean-ups

Traditional Dance Classes

Qualifications include:

Past experience teaching ESL, preferably to young children

Knowledge of the Spanish language

Fluency in the English Language

Experience with planning lessons and curriculum development

Outgoing, personable personality

Organized and dependable

Preferably having spent time in Latin America living or traveling

Curriculum and materials are provided. Intern has access to the Abriendo Mentes office with printer, copier and scanner as well as Internet. All relevant teacher materials are available (white board, markers, pencils, paper, printer paper, books and curriculum).

Abriendo Mentes background:

Abriendo Mentes is a community development initiative under the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Guanacaste Literacy. Abriendo Mentes works to empower rural Costa Rican communities to further their own economic development by providing educational, social and technological programs to families and youth in need.

We offer a range of innovative programs to the children and adults of Playa Potrero, Costa Rica: classes in ESL and computer literacy, extra-curricular activities, and environmental awareness projects; in an effort to enhance education and "open minds".

Impact of English classes:

Our exciting and creative teaching approach generates excitement about education and encourages continuation of schooling into High School and beyond. With a focus on English, we are able to supplement the curriculum being taught in the public school with applicable language skills needed in real life, which results in higher marks in school and important job skills for the future. It also fills the after-school hours that would otherwise be spent idle without any structured educational activities.

AM is able to offer classes 200 days a year, with an average of 1.5 hours per day, resulting in 300 hours per year. This totals to more than the amount of time the kids spend in the public school

Logistics:

Affordable housing options, including homestays, are available for all Abriendo Mentes Interns and volunteers. All accommodations will be set up prior to Interns' and volunteers' arrival.

Abriendo Mentes is currently seeking an Adult ESL instructor for Summer and Fall 2012 to lead our Basic and Intermediate adult English classes.

This volunteer will work with current volunteers to establish a schedule for all levels of Adult ESL classes for the current session and use the provided curriculum to plan all levels of classes, organize vocabulary and progress tests, administer placement exams before the start of the session and the final exam at the end of the session. The Adult ESL Instructor will lead all levels of Adult ESL classes when his/her schedule allows it and delegate additional classes to other volunteers. Furthermore, the instructor will work with the Technology Center Coordinator to manage the Adult Language Lab schedule for the current session.

The Adult ESL Instructor also has the opportunity to be involved in the Abriendo Mentes children's program and extra-curricular program, as well as the Abriendo Mentes Women's Empowerment group. The AM children's program runs weekdays from 2.45-5.45 pm in the community center and offers classes to ages four-12. The extra-curricular program focuses on developing creativity and critical thinking, as well as emphasizing physical activity, environmental and global awareness.

Qualifications

Native English speaker

Highly proficient in Spanish*

Previous teaching and/or tutoring experience

Passionate about English grammar and vocabulary

Organized, responsible, ability to work well with others, friendly and outgoing

Minimum 3 months/1 Session commitment

Most classes are taught at a very beginner/intermediate level and are held primarily in Spanish. The lead teacher must be able to explain all concepts clearly in Spanish and answer any questions the students have. The Adult Program Coordinator must have a firm grasp on the Spanish language (grammar included) and feel comfortable speaking fluently to a wide range of topics and vocabulary.

Please visit abriendomentes.org for more information.

Logistics

Affordable housing options, including homestays, are available for all Abriendo Mentes Interns and volunteers. All accommodations will be set up prior to Interns arrival. Intern must commit to at least three months, but does not have to stay the full duration from start to end date.

Abriendo Mentes is seeking an intern with an interest and/or background in Grant Research and Proposal Writing to become part of our team for the third and fourth sessions of 2012 starting July 30th with a minimum of three months commitment.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

-researching applicable grant

-budget analysis and forecasting

-narrative writing and drafting of grant proposals.

-assistance in general fundraising including electronic direct mail and development plan build out.

-managing and implementing the process of measuring results and evaluation for Abriendo Mentes programs.

Although this is an unpaid internship, the intern will gain valuable experience in nonprofit management and development, and there is potential for a small living stipend.

Length of time commitment is negotiable.

Desired Experience/Skills:

1. Excellent communication and writing skills.

2. Strong research and analytical skills.

3. Proficiency with MS Office, including Word and Excel.

4. Strong organizational skills.

5. Prior experience in research and grant writing.

6. Ability to work as part of a team.

7. Some knowledge of the Spanish language

8. Creativity!

Logistics:

Affordable housing options, including homestays, are available for all Abriendo Mentes Interns and volunteers. All accommodations will be set up prior to Interns arrival.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Meradith Leebrick at info@abriendomentes.org, subject line "Grant Research and Proposal Writing Intern"

Include in your cover letter a description of skills or past experiences you posses that you feel could be applied to this internship position.

Abriendo Mentes is seeking a Communications and Social Media Intern for third and fourth sessions of 2012 starting October 1st.

This intern will work closely with the Organization Directors in the management, creation, distribution and evaluation of all organizational media content. The position is writing-intensive and the intern will be expected to help write and edit information for the website, newsletter, blog, social media sites and local Costa Rican publications. This intern will gain experience in operations of a nonprofit organization as well.

Qualifications:

The communications and social media intern should have excellent writing, editing, communication, web publishing, and organizational skills. Ideal candidates will be those able to do self-motivated independent work, as well as collaborate in a team setting. Applicants should possess a strong desire to help others and an interest in social responsibility. Knowledge of the Spanish language is not required, but is helpful.

Logistics:

Affordable housing options, including homestays, are available for all Abriendo Mentes Interns and volunteers. All accommodations will be set up prior to Interns arrival.

Interested applicants can email a resume and letter of interest to Volunteer/Intern Coordinator Meradith Leebrick at info@abriendomentes.org, subject line: Communications and Social Media Intern.

Internship can be part-time or full-time with a flexible schedule. A minimum three-month commitment is required.

See website for more information about Abriendo Mentes.

www.abriendomentes.org

Guanacaste Literacy/Abriendo Mentes is currently seeking a Lead ESL Teacher who will act as the Director of Youth Education for Spring/Summer 2012.

Abriendo Mentes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit literacy organization enhancing education and empowering communities in rural Costa Rica. A minimum of three months commitment is required and a living stipend is potentially available depending on experience.

The Director of Youth Education will plan and lead youth English classes in the AM Playa Potrero ESL program for children ranging in age from four to 12 years old. Potrero youth English classes are held Monday - Thursday afternoons from 2:30pm until 5:30pm in the community center. The Director of Youth is in charge of leading all Potrero classes with the support of at least two classroom volunteers. Additionally, the Director can delegate leadership duties to classroom volunteers if they posses past teaching experience or show a strong propensity for success as a class leader. The Director of Youth Education will also assist the lead teacher in the AM Playa Brasilito program with planning and curriculum development.

Duties/Responsibilities:

-Planning and implementation of all daily PreK-6 ESL classes/activities in Playa Potrero

-Oversight of satellite program(s) (currently only Playa Brasilito)

-Supervision of volunteer teachers and facilitation of their orientation, including a classroom orientation

-Track attendance and related incentive programs

-Organization of classroom and office areas

-Track materials and update Classroom Wish List

-Maintain strong communication with supervisors, volunteers, parents, and partner schools

Qualifications:

-ESL Certified or ESL/teaching experience (6 months +)

-Experience with lesson planning

-Experience working with school-age children

-Experience in leadership roles

-Native English speaker

-Advanced Spanish speaker

-Flexible-Creative-Resourceful

-Upbeat

-Organized

The mission of Abriendo Mentes (AM) is to empower rural Costa Rican communities to further their own economic development by providing educational, social, and technological programs to families and youth in need.

Please visit abriendomentes.org for more information.

Logistics:

Affordable housing options, including homestays, are available for all Abriendo Mentes Interns and volunteers. All accommodations will be set up prior to Interns arrival. Intern must commit to at least three months, but does not have to stay the full duration from start to end date stated on this posting.

Guanacaste Literacy/Abriendo Mentes is currently seeking a Coordinator for our Women's Empowerment Group for Summer, Fall and Winter 2012 with a desired start date July 30th, and a minimum 3 months commitment requirement.

Duties/Responsibilities

•Plans and implements all activities for the regularly meeting women's group

•Works with outside organizations to bring in workshops and presentations

•Marketing all group events, accomplishments, etc.

•Oversees all projects and initiatives (business initiative, cookbook, sewing initiative)

•Solicit feedback to better improve project operations

•Works with other aspects of the organization to raise money and awareness

Qualifications

•Knowledge of Women and Gender Studies

•Advanced Spanish

•Prior experience working in women’s programs

•Prior experience planning and implementing events

•Experience abroad; culture sensitive

•Creativity

Logistics

Affordable housing options, including homestays, are available for all Abriendo Mentes Interns and volunteers. All accommodations will be set up prior to Interns arrival. Intern must commit to at least three months, but does not have to stay the full duration from start to end date.

Guanacaste Literacy/Abriendo Mentes is currently seeking a Technology Center Coordinator for Summer and Fall 2012 to plan, manage and coordinate activities in our brand new computer lab. Desired start date is July 30th, and a minimum of 3 months commitment is required.

Duties/Responsibilities

•Instruction of various computer classes to community members (children and adults)

•Supervise free usage of computers

•Delegate similar duties to other volunteers

•Maintain quality of computers in lab through updates, repair, etc

Qualifications

•Extensive knowledge of PC and Windows software

•Knowledge of computer networking and hardware

•Troubleshooting skills

•Ability to work well with others

•Spanish Skills highly recommended

Logistics

Affordable housing options, including homestays, are available for all Abriendo Mentes Interns and volunteers. All accommodations will be set up prior to Interns arrival. Intern must commit to at least three months, but does not have to stay the full duration from start to end date.