Faiaoga (Instructor)

Equitable Solutions for the Indigenous; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Equitable Solutions for the Indigenous seeks educators to deliver Samoan language lessons woven with traditional arts for youth aged 5–25. You will plan sessions, model culture, and support assessment and data entry across a project platform.

Youth engagement, adaptability, and collaboration are essential as you participate in monthly trainings and an annual intensive in-person program in American Samoa to align on curriculum and evaluation standards.

Qualifications

• Fluent in Samoan and English with deep familiarity of Samoan cultural protocols.
• Proven arts background in at least one traditional Samoan art form (music, dance or visual arts).
• Experience teaching or mentoring youth aged 5–25 in community settings.
• Willingness to learn new language-teaching frameworks and use tech tools with peers.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Samoan language lessons integrated with traditional arts for youth 5–25.
• Plan sessions using provided templates and activity guides; manage assessments.
• Collaborate with peers; participate in monthly training and annual in-person sessions.

Skills

Fluency in Samoan & English

Arts specialization

Youth engagement

Adaptability & collaboration

Job description

Key Responsibilities

1. Arts-Based Instructional Delivery

• Multi-Domain Language Teaching: Deliver interactive Samoan language lessons integrating traditional cultural art forms (music/song, dance/performance, and visual arts) using the standardized project resources.
• Lesson & Activity Planning: Utilize provided lesson plan templates, vocabulary lists, and performance activity guides to plan age-appropriate sessions for youth aged 5–25.
• Cultural Context & Modeling: Serve as a cultural role model, fostering rich oral language practice, traditional etiquette, and active community participation during arts workshops.

2. Assessment & Student Proficiency Tracking

• Rubric & Assessment Administration: Administer baseline pre-assessments and end-of-cycle post-assessments following established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Proficiency Evaluation: Evaluate student progress across Speaking, Reading, and Writing domains using arts-adapted proficiency rubrics (e.g., assessing spoken Samoan in song performance or writing about visual art).
• Data Integration: Submit student attendance, survey responses, and assessment scores into the project technology platform.

3. Continuous Training & Peer Collaboration

• Monthly Peer-to-Peer Training: Actively participate in monthly peer training and learning circles to share teaching best practices, refine instructional techniques, and troubleshoot classroom dynamics.
• Annual In-Person Training: Attend and complete the required annual intensive in-person training in American Samoa to align on curriculum updates, cultural immersion techniques, and evaluation standards.
• Curriculum Feedback: Provide constructive feedback and community insight to the project team to refine teaching guides, rubrics, and activity materials.

Qualifications & Competencies

Must-Haves

• Fluency in Samoan & English: Demonstrated high-level fluency in spoken and written Samoan, with deep familiarity with Samoan cultural protocols and terminology.
• Arts Specialization: Demonstrated proficiency or practical experience in at least one traditional Samoan art form:
• Music: Traditional songs, chanting, rhythmic accompaniment.
• Dance: Siva Samoa, performance storytelling, choreography.
• Visual Arts: Siapo making, weaving, traditional patterns, and crafts.
• Youth Engagement: Experience teaching, tutoring, or mentoring youth aged 5–25 in school, community, or faith-based settings.
• Adaptability & Collaboration: Willingness to learn new arts-based language teaching frameworks, adopt tech-integrated tools, and collaborate closely with peer instructors.

Nice-to-Haves

• Teaching Credential or Experience: Prior background in formal education, indigenous immersion programs, or community workshop facilitation.
• Digital Literacy: Basic familiarity with online navigation for recording student attendance and assessment data.