Join our Little Ripples team as we grow!

As you might have seen, we have big goals for 2017. And if we are going to succeed, we will need some help. Are you or do you know someone who might be interested in joining our team of experts advising Little Ripples, an award-winning refugee-led early childhood education program?

iACT is seeking experts in early childhood education and development to join iACT’s team of volunteer Technical Advisors. Technical Advisors contribute expertise, time, and skills to iACT’s award-winning Little Ripples program.

Little Ripples is an early childhood education model that builds the capacity of refugee women to co-create and implement a program to improve the social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development of refugee children ages three to five. The Little Ripples curriculum is a pre-established outline that guides refugee teachers in daily structure and lessons that promote play-based literacy and numeracy, development of fine and gross motor skills, social-emotional skills, mindfulness, hygiene practices, and nutrition. The curriculum is adapted by the refugee teachers with language, stories, games, and songs to ensure the curriculum is culturally relevant. Little Ripples maximizes the resources at hand in refugee communities by partnering with families to host in-home centers called Little Ripples Ponds. Homes are adapted into safe and appropriate learning and playing spaces. Ponds have two teachers and serve up to 45 children each, six days a week. Littles Ripples is currently operating in eastern Chad refugee camps and iACT aims to expand the program to additional refugee contexts globally.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Collaboratively contribute to:

1. Little Ripples classroom and teacher training curriculum

2. Little Ripples monitoring and assessment tools

3. Little Ripples program design

4. Join and be an active member of the Little Ripples Technical Advisors email group

5. Participate in iACT Technical Advisor in-person and phone meetings

6. Maintain effective communication with the iACT staff and Technical Advisors team

7. Be a positive representative of iACT and Little Ripples in your community

Optional: Travel to refugee camps to train and facilitate Little Ripples teacher trainings and curriculum development. Traveling to refugee camps is not a requirement, but opportunities for travel are provided to Technical Advisors based on need. The duration of a trip is approximately two weeks round trip.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS

1. Multiple subject credential with Early Childhood Education or Child Development units

2. Minimum of 3 years experience teaching in a classroom setting

3. Strong written and verbal communication skills

4. Culturally sensitive and adaptable to working with different populations

5. Must demonstrate a strong appreciation for human growth at all levels including children, parents, staff, and community

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

1. International experience or working in child development programs serving low-income children and families

2. Experience with child development/early childhood programs

3. Experience with non-violent approaches to classroom management and student discipline

4. Experience coaching/mentoring adults; knowledge of adult learning theories

5. Knowledge and experience with Reggio Emilia and/or High Scope Curriculum approaches

6. Experience and knowledge with trauma recovery