🏫 Smiling Gecko School
📍Phnom Penh, Cambodia
💰 Competitive Salary

Job Description:

Early-Years Teacher at NGO - Rural Cambodia
Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia
Posted by: Smiling Gecko School
Contact: natsun@smilinggecko-cambodia.org
Location: Kampong Chhnang Province (2 hours north of Phnom Penh)
Start Date: Potential Immediate Start
Schedule: Full-time
Salary: 20,000 USD (Net Income) per annum
Other Benefits: health insurance + dorm housing (with a private washroom & air-conditioning) + 3 meals a day + free weekend transportation to Phnom Penh
Visa: Legal working visa & permit provided
The Smiling Gecko School is located in rural Cambodia. The school serves over 500 children who would otherwise lack access to the foundational education they deserve.
We are seeking a teacher with a heart for contributing to impactful development work in an economically vulnerable community. This is an ideal position for an educator with an innovative mindset who is eager to grow, learn, and adapt. While formal qualifications & training are especially beneficial, we are open to considering applications from individuals with unique backgrounds, provided that they have at least a minimum of four years of Early-Years teaching experience.
Mandatory Requirements:
Native-level English speaker
4+ years of experience as an Early-Years lead classroom teacher
3+ years international experience in a developing economy
A strong skillset in preparing highly-engaging, student-centered lessons designed to develop students' life-skills, phonemic awareness and pre-reading knowledge/abilities, mathematical understand, basic to intermediate small-motor skills, and age appropriate social development
Specialized knowledge of phonics teaching methodology and techniques, especially in play-based learning activities
Advanced classroom management skills, with clear knowledge of strategies that ensure highly-efficient use of available learning time
Eagerness to learn and grow professionally
Willingness & ability to manage the challenges and sacrifices of living in a developing rural community
Highly motivated to serve and support other people
Ideal Qualifications & Experience:
Bachelor's degree in English, education, or a related field
Teaching certification
Curriculum development skills and experience
A background or training in Montessori teaching/methods
2+ years of experience working with students from economically challenged communities
Experience acquiring a second language to at least an intermediate level as an adult learner
Responsibilities:
Determines with the relevant administrators appropriate learning objectives for the school year, in alignment with the school's long-term student learning plan
Plans appropriate learning experiences for individual, group, and class instruction
Monitors student progress and evaluates students' achievement in relation to learning objectives, providing individualized support where appropriate
Reports individual pupils’ progress to parents and school personnel through the preparation of reports and/or parent-teacher conferences
Coordinates with a teaching assistant to create, with the assistance of pupils, a functional, safe, attractive, and physically comfortable environment, to the furthest extent possible
Leads students in daily student activities, including meal-times, teeth-brushing, and the morning flag-raising ceremony
Maintains professional competence through participation in in-service educational activities provided by the school and/or self-elected professional growth activities
Performs basic attendance accounting, record-keeping and clerical services as assigned
Assists in the selection and requisitioning of books, instructional aids and supplies to the extent possible
Establishes and maintains acceptable standards of pupil behavior
Administers any school testing program required by the administration
Participates in curriculum development, program planning, school evaluation processes, and other faculty committees as required by the school administration
Shares in the sponsorship of student activities
Works with colleagues, social workers, ancillary staff, parents, and community agencies in matters of mutual concern
Participates with the administration to develop a continuous improvement plan for both the individual teacher and the school
Attends school and department staff meetings
To apply, please submit a letter of interest and résumé to: natsun@smilinggecko-cambodia.org.
Email header: Early-Years Teacher 2025-2026
Please be advised that due to the number of applicants expected, only candidates short-listed for an interview will be contacted. Candidates selected for an interview should anticipate being asked detailed questions about teaching phonics/pre-reading skills development and be able to communicate a comprehensive methodology.
To apply, email natsun@smilinggecko-cambodia.org