Field Instructor, Modern Latin American History

Join Verto Education as an Modern Latin American History Instructor in Latin America for three months. Compensation includes salary, housing, insurance, some meals, and all travel expenses related to the position. 

 

Verto Education’s University Programs make starting college the adventure of a lifetime for first year students. We offer six different semesters options in addition to a year-long honors program. All semesters deliver serious academics in remarkable overseas locations blending coursework with experiential learning.

 

Through Verto, students can study abroad for their first semester or year of their undergraduate career, while still earning college credits to keep them on track to graduate in four years. Verto courses transfer seamlessly to over 46 partner universities, including top 50 academic institutions like Case Western Reserve University and William & Mary.

 

As a Verto Field Instructor, you will bring the course alive for students through a dynamic combination of classroom instruction and experiential field work. This course is a three credit “block” course taught in 4 week increments to 3 separate cohorts of students (1-2 cohorts each month for up to three months). Each cohort has a maximum of 25 students. 

 

Before the semester begins, you will meet with Vero Education’s Course Director to discuss the syllabus and learning outcomes in addition to attending a staff training. 

 

High-level syllabi are designed by Course Directors and approved by our school of record, Richard Bland College, but there should be opportunity for collaboration on how the course comes together in the program location. This would include meeting virtually with the Course Director and our in-country partners to  discuss the hands-on projects, arranged expert guest speakers sessions, and community-based initiatives that will form the experiential portion of the course.

 

During the semester you’ll teach in a classroom setting (though not a typical one!) and accompany your students on excursions designed to connect to course content. You’ll meet with the Course Director bi-weekly to discuss cohort progress and resolve any challenges that might arise. Your Course Director will help ensure unity across instructors, offer feedback and coaching, and provide course materials to ease the burden of preparing for class while in the field. 

 

While this position is an academic position, the ideal candidate will be a team player, ready and willing to jump in and assist where necessary to support students.

 

Course Description: 

 

Modern Latin American History

 

This course is intended as an introduction to the cultures and societies of Latin America and contemporary issues in modern Latin American culture, politics, and economic systems. This course explores the history and culture of Latin American from the 20th century onwards. Students begin with the historical foundations needed to understand the context and trajectory of the region, before delving deeper into topics of present-day politics, economics, identity, religion, and social issues.

 

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How does the history and culture of Latin America constrain and advance opportunities for freedom and development in the region?

 

Responsibilities: 

 

• Provide an engaging classroom experience through a combination of lectures and structured academic activities.
• Engage with students and help them connect the coursework to what they are experiencing in the field.
• Collaborate with a dynamic team of Program Leaders, Field Instructors, Academic Success Coordinators, Regional Managers, and in country partners.
• Facilitate coursework in compliance with credit requirements as set by the Course Director.
• Maintain flexibility with curriculum as dictated by a changing travel itinerary.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with Verto students, staff, and community partners.
• Evaluate students’ course submissions, provide ongoing feedback, and assessment of students’ mastery of course objectives. Verto uses Canvas as our LMS.
• Work closely with other Field Instructors and Academic Success Coordinators to support students with accommodations and all students as they navigate potential challenges of a traveling program.
• Other duties as reasonably assigned.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 

• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills and interest working with college students.
• Patient, enthusiastic, analytical, and solution-oriented. No day is the same on a Verto program, so adaptability is key.
• Appreciation for diversity in cultures and experiences.
• Familiarity with teaching students with Individualized Education Programs and accommodations. 
• A willingness to empathize with, and adapt to, students varied academic backgrounds and learning abilities. 
• Passion for immersive education experiences and knowledge of local and regional customs and norms in program location(s) through firsthand experience.
• Passion for discussion-based learning and helping students make meaning of their experiences.
• Understands the value of experiential education and travel for young people.
• Eager to learn from colleagues and enjoys open collaboration and teamwork.
• Able to maintain excellence under pressure and ever-changing conditions.
• Able to follow organizational protocols while working independently.
• High level of proficiency with Google Drive, Skype, and WhatsApp.

 

Qualifications

 

• Master's or PHD from an accredited university in History*
  • Graduate level transcript must include 18 credits within the discipline. This is a requirement of our school of record and there will be no exceptions. 

• Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in college-level classroom teaching.
• A demonstrated record of teaching excellence and ability to work with undergraduate students in a close student/faculty relationship.
• Experience delivering a curriculum and facilitating experiential education with proven success.
• Experience living or working in the countries on the itinerary is preferred. 

• Must be 24 years of age or older by February 1, 2021.
• Ability to attend Verto training in February.
• Ability to be on a Verto program from mid-February to early May. 

 

Work and Environmental Conditions

• This position is based in a remote setting. Instructors may be required to live in close quarters with other instructors such as in a shared apartment. 
• You’ll be expected to attend occasional overnight trips with students where your living accommodations and schedule may differ from typical conditions. 
• The work pace is continually fast-paced and work is required for more than 4 hours at time.
• Due to the nature of this position, there is low in-person supervision from managers. 
• Travel is required up to 100% of the time. 
• The environment in which the job is performed outside may include exposure to extreme temperature, noise, heights, or other hazards. 

 

At Verto Education we value voices of all backgrounds and experiences. We know that creating a diverse environment takes dedication and intentional hiring practices. We are cognizant of the gap between our current state and our commitments. In order to bridge that gap, we have to humbly evaluate where we are today. 

 

Verto sincerely appreciates candidates providing anonymous answers to our EEO questions. You are helping us be better. 

 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Verto Education is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Possible Changes Due to COVID-19: These position responsibilities are subject to change due to ensuring the safety of our staff, students and the communities we visit. Read more about our programming scenario plan here.