Traineeships2016:Teaching mathematics and engaging in school based CPD in a primary school

1. Location
Country / South Africa
Town / Welkom, Odendaalsrus, Virginia
Partner / Institute / VVOB & Free State Department of Education (FS DOE)
Department / Provincial Teacher Development Institute (PTDI) and District Teacher Development Centre (DTDC)
2. Period (only specify if the attachment proposal is not valid out of this period)
February – May 2016
3. Terms of Reference
Objectives of the Traineeship / The trainee will shadow and twin with a math teacher of the intermediate phase (grade 4 to 6). The trainee engages in all tasks done by the teacher: teaching, preparing, assessing, …
The trainee implements and showcases activating and learner centred teaching approaches while integrating the use of concrete, didactic materials to assist learningof mathematical topics. Attention should be given to the effective use of materials that are already available in the school (such as math kits and math labs). The trainee will specifically focus on the development of learning lines of certain mathematical topics across the grades (including transition from Foundation Phase to Intermediate Phase).
The trainee will participate in the Professional Learning Community of teachers of the school or assist in the establishment of such PLC to create opportunities for teachers to learn with and from each other pertaining to challenging topics and methods. The trainee is prepared to team teach or act as a model for math teaching.
The trainee will reflect on his own learning as well as what is observed with the colleagues and formulate action points/ needs for teacher training to the district and VVOB.
Expected Results / Primary education teachers have improved skills pertaining to teaching specific mathematical topics. School based PLCs are supported.
Planned activities and time frame / Activity / M1 / M2 / M3
Observation, exploring the context, understanding needs / x
Lesson preparation, training sessions, modelling, team teaching, participation in school based PLCs / x / x / x
Formulate conclusions on observations, advise VVOB and FSDOE on needs for further development. / x
4. Support
Working environment / School in Lejweleputswa district
Position in the program/institution / This traineeship fits under R3 and 4 of the MYP 2014-2016
Name Supervisor / Stefaan Vande Walle or Lieve Leroy (programme advisors VVOB) + local counterpart
5. Minimum requirements
Expertise / Teacher training, primary education curriculum for maths;
Proficiency in English (written and spoken)
Profile /
  • Bachelor in primary education, subject specialisation: numeracy/mathematics.
The trainee needs to be good at:
  • Primary Education mathematics
  • Activating and learner-centred teaching approaches
  • Developing higher order thinking skills in lessons
  • Developingstimulating low-cost didactic materials

Required / Preferred preparation /
  • Getting familiar with educational context in South Africa
  • Getting familiar with VVOB programme in South Africa
  • Pedagogical approaches for teaching primary level mathematics (e.g. number operations, fractions, geometry).

Duo-attachment possible? / Yes
Preference to assign the attachment to a student of a specific college (in case of partnership with a Flemish college) / no
6. Working conditions
Workload / 40hrs/week
Leave days / days off / 2,5 days per month + weekends and public holidays
Required language skills / English (spoken and written)
Transport / Public transport, transport with VVOB Programme advisors or local counterpart, bicycle, car rental (occasionally).
Possibilities accommodation / Guesthouse or furnished apartment.
Estimated general costs / Accommodation: min 3000 ZAR/month
Living costs: min 3000 ZAR/month
Car rental: approx. 300 ZAR/day
7. Comments

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