The English Access Scholarship Program Lead Teacher

TITLE: The English Access Scholarship Program Lead Teacher

POSITION LOCATION: Varied, Uzbekistan

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Part-time (7-8 hours/week)

Access Program Lead Teacher

American Councils for International Education is a premier, international non-profit organization creating educational opportunities that prepare individuals and institutions to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. Through academic exchanges, overseas language immersion, and educational development programs, American Councils has designed and administered innovative programs that broaden individual perspectives, increase knowledge and deepen understanding for more than 40 years across more than 80 countries.

The English Access Scholarship Program (Access) is a student-centered program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassies that provides English language skills to underserved students (primarily 13-20 years old) worldwide through extracurricular classes and activities. Access provides participants with a foundation of English language, leadership and professional skills, and exposure to U.S. culture and democratic values that may lead to better jobs and educational prospects, including future exchanges and study in the United States. The global Access Program has provided scholarships to more than 200,000 students in over 80 countries since its inception in 2004.

In Uzbekistan, the Access Program has operated continuously since 2007, both as the English Access Scholarship Program and as the English Access for STEM Program. American Councils started implementing the Access Program in 2022. This year, 11 Access program sites successfully completed the 2022-2024 program years, and currently, five sites are continuing program year two across four regions of Uzbekistan.

American Councils is planning to open new program sites all over Uzbekistan and currently soliciting open Access Lead Teacher positions for the program sites in the following regions: Republic of Karakalpakstan (Khojeli and Karauzyak), Khorezm (Urgench and Yangibazar), Bukhara (Bukhara city and Gala Osiyo), Samarkand (Samarkand city), Kashkadarya (Shakhrisabz), Andijan (Andijan city), Namangan (Turakurgan), Fergana (Oltiariq) and Surkhandarya (Termez).

This is a part-time consultancy role (7-8 hours per week); selected candidates will be placed on at-will consultancy agreements with American Councils.

Lead Teacher Responsibilities

Access Lead Teachers serve as a key liaison between an Access host institution, American Councils, the Regional English Language Office, and the U.S. Embassy Tashkent. They are responsible for supporting teachers and program participants at their site and ensuring all Access-related programming at a site runs smoothly. They are the primary person responsible for the overall management of each individual Access site. They are also responsible for engaging high-achieving, under-served youth as they study English, American Culture, and digital skills, as well as engaging participants in personal and professional development and efforts to develop digital literacy. This includes delivering regular Access lessons to program participants and conducting enhancement activities and intensive sessions, as required.

Lead Teacher responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Coordination Responsibilities:

·       Liaising with the American Councils and U.S. Embassy regarding the Access Program

·       Coordinating and assisting in the recruitment and selection of Access program participants

·       Providing support to the teachers concerning administrative duties, supplemental materials selections and class instruction

·       Ensuring safety of the students during planned classes and activities

·       Assisting in the ordering of classroom materials and other supplies in conjunction with American Councils

·       Liaising with the appropriate people to secure access to the Access classroom and/or facility

·       Helping to organize the opening and closing ceremonies and parent meetings

·       Monitoring classes to ensure the appropriate administration and instruction of the program and noting and reporting any recommendations for improvement

·       Consulting with Access teachers on solutions to noted recommendations for improvement

·       Notifying the American Councils and the U.S. Embassy/RELO of sudden changes, emergencies, or interruptions of the Access classes and program

·       Assisting American Councils in organizing the administration of the Pre/Post test

·       Coordinating with teachers and American Councils in planning, organizing and implementing guest speakers/visitors and any outside classroom Enhancement Activities and Intensive Sessions

·       Ensuring student portfolios are accessible and updated on a regular basis by the teachers

·       Developing and submitting quarterly reports to American Councils; ensuring teachers are submitting monthly reporting.

Teaching Responsibilities:

·       Assisting in student recruitment efforts for new program cohorts

·       Selecting appropriate supplemental English materials that meet program objectives

·       Conducting classes according to approved Access program curriculum

·       Creating and implementing quality lesson plans according to the Access Program objectives

·       Designing and conducting regular informal and formal assessments on a regular basis to gauge each student’s progress

·       Planning and conducting Enhancement Activities in accordance with the schedule and curriculum approved by American Councils

·       Ensuring safety of the students during planned classes and activities

·       Developing, planning, and implementing Enhancement Activities and Intensive Sessions that provide hands-on and interactive opportunities for students’ engagement to more fully satisfy demands of the Access curriculum and program objectives

·       Taking daily attendance, designing progress tests and assessing students' knowledge, tracking the grades of progress tests and digital literacy, submitting Enhancement Activity Logs, designing vocabulary tests and assessing students’ knowledge of the new vocabulary

·       Submitting regular reporting according to the schedule established by American Councils

·       Seeking to improve methodical and pedagogical skills through participation in seminars, lessons of visiting experienced colleagues, and self-education and any required professional development events held by the American Councils or U.S. Embassy

Mandatory Qualifications:

·       Ability to engage in oral and written communication in English at a minimum of a B1 CEFR Level

·       Experience serving as a teacher of English

·       Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively teach and engage students.

·       Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite and Google Office Suite products for reporting purposes.

·       Excellent organizational and time management skills

·       Strong leadership and management skills

·       Ability to commit at least 7-8 hours per week to Access program at respective program sites, primarily during the afternoon and/or during weekends, as well as for field trips and/or enhancement activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

·       Ability to engage in oral and written communication in English at a CEFR Level of B2 or Higher

·       Experience working with students aged 13-15 highly preferred

·       Prior experience working with Access and/or Access students

·       Ability to engage students in a student-centered manner during classes

·       Experience managing foreign grants, especially U.S. government or EU grant projects (i.e. U.S. Embassy grants, Erasmus grants, etc.)

· Prior experience with American Councils or U.S. Embassy-supported programming preferred - i.e., English Speaking Nation, Fulbright Teaching Excellence, and Achievement, etc.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants in serving as an Access Lead Teacher should submit a resume/CV and cover letter to access.uz@americancouncils.org with the subject line "Name of your district Access Lead Teacher Position". American Councils staff will review CVs and contact shortlisted candidates to arrange interviews. 

Deadline for accepting applications: Until the position is filled