Teacher (Health Care Grades 6-12) Job

Become a Beacon of Health and Learning: Health Care Teacher Opportunity in Guam

Imagine taking your clinical healthcare expertise, combining it with your passion for teaching, and stepping into a highly rewarding role on the beautiful island of Guam. The Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) has launched a search for an exceptional educator to join the faculty of Guam High School as a Teacher (Health Care Grades 6-12). This seasonal, permanent role is a rare pathway for individuals who hold both medical and academic qualifications to instruct military-connected children in a vibrant, supportive global community.

From building foundational clinical knowledge to guiding high schoolers through simulated patient care environments, this position provides the resources of the federal government alongside the unique satisfaction of molding future healthcare heroes. Read on to explore the role, the generous compensation packages—including a cost-of-living adjustment—and how to navigate the strict federal application rules to secure your place in this tropical paradise.

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About the Agency: The Department of War Education Activity

The Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) is one of only two federally operated school systems in the United States, managing comprehensive PK-12 educational programs for the families of active-duty military personnel and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees.

Operating across a massive global footprint, DoWEA manages 160 accredited schools spread across eight districts in 11 countries, seven states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Serving more than 72,000 students with a dedicated workforce of approximately 15,000 educators and support personnel, DoWEA is renowned for its high academic standards, well-resourced facilities, and commitment to preparing students for career and academic success in the 21st century. Educators working with DoWEA benefit from professional independence, structured curricula, and deep-rooted community support that only a military-connected school district can offer.

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Job Responsibilities of a Health Care Teacher

As a Health Care Teacher for grades 6 through 12, your days will balance academic lecture with hands-on, practical simulation. Rather than standard clinical shifts, your focus shifts to curriculum design, mentorship, and foundational medical instruction.

Key duties for this role include:

• Lesson Planning & Delivery: Independently design, adapt, and implement lesson plans within the framework of approved DoWEA healthcare curriculum standards, course outlines, and health science textbooks.
• Student Development: Support, counsel, and motivate middle and high school students, pushing them to meet or exceed regional and national educational benchmarks in health sciences.
• Active Classroom Management: Establish safe, positive, and productive learning routines consistent with professional medical lab settings and interactive classrooms.
• Evaluation & Improvement: Review, test, and develop educational materials and course offerings to continuously improve the school’s vocational health program.
• Practical Instruction: Use modern teaching principles, student-centered learning methodologies, and clinical best practices to instruct assigned subjects (such as anatomy, physiology, first aid, medical terminology, and basic clinical skills) in both classroom and lab configurations.
• Safety Enforcement: Maintain absolute adherence to safety, security, and hygiene protocols, teaching students the professional regulations they will face in real-world clinical environments.

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Comprehensive Requirements & Qualifications

Because this position bridges the professional healthcare industry and the public education field, candidates must fulfill rigorous dual-qualification criteria to be deemed eligible. The hiring office cannot make assumptions; all credentials must be explicitly documented in your application package.

1. Citizenship & Educational Background

• Citizenship: You must be a United States Citizen.
• Degree: A Baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association is required.
• General Education Work: At least 40 semester hours (SH) of general education coursework distributed over fields such as English, history, social studies, mathematics, science, fine arts, languages, philosophy, or psychology.
• Teacher Education Work: A minimum of 18 SH of professional teacher education coursework focusing on learning processes, educational philosophy, student testing and measurement, psychology, or teaching methods applicable to secondary education.

2. Specialized Licensure and Experience

• State Teaching License: A valid, fully professional, unencumbered state or territory teaching license in secondary education/content areas (or a DoWEA equivalent). If you do not have an unencumbered license, you may substitute seven years of PreK-12 teaching experience or passing scores on Praxis I & II, provided all minimum educational credits are met.
• Registered Nurse (RN) License: A current, valid, and unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse is a non-negotiable requirement for this health care teaching tract.
• Specialized Experience: At least three (3) years of professional experience demonstrating that you have instructed, trained, or supervised employees within a healthcare field (e.g., as a clinical nurse educator, nurse manager, or clinical instructor).
• Student Teaching/Internship: Completion of an approved student teaching program or internship through an accredited U.S. institution. In the absence of student teaching, you may submit proof of one full year of successful, full-time employment as a professional educator.

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Salary Overview and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)

DoWEA offers highly competitive pay structured under the AD salary scale. The base salary range for this position is $72,814 to $176,644 per year, determined by your level of completed education (e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate) and your years of qualifying teaching experience.

Additionally, federal employees stationed at Guam High School are currently entitled to receive an 11.88% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) on top of their base annual salary. This allowance is designed to offset the unique expenses associated with island life, providing a substantial financial boost to help you comfortably settle in and enjoy your time in Agana.

Position Aspect	Details for Guam High School Role
Base Salary Range	$72,814 to $176,644 per year
Additional Allowance	11.88% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)
Work Schedule	Full-time, Seasonal (aligns with school year calendar)
Location	Agana, Guam (Pacific West District)
Security Clearance	Not Required (Suitability/Fitness Adjudication only)

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Benefits of Working with DoWEA

Teaching with DoWEA in Guam brings exceptional rewards that extend far beyond standard school district benefits:

• Federal Retirement & Pension: Full access to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching.
• Comprehensive Healthcare: Excellent federal health, dental, vision, and life insurance options with premium shares paid by the government.
• Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA): Under modern tax codes, civilian relocation expenses are taxable. However, DoWEA's RITA program reimburses eligible employees for the additional federal, state, and local income taxes incurred due to government-paid travel.
• Seasonal Flexibility: Enjoy summers off and traditional school holiday breaks, offering ample opportunities to travel across Asia and the Pacific region.
• Bargaining Unit Coverage: This position is fully covered by the Federal Education Association Stateside Region (FEASR PRO) bargaining unit, ensuring strong advocacy and workplace protections.

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Strategic Application Tips

Applying for federal jobs requires meticulous attention to detail. DoWEA positions are highly competitive, and HR uses strict filters to evaluate candidates. Avoid common pitfalls with these professional strategies:

1. Obey the Two-Page Resume Rule: DoWEA enforces an absolute limit: Your resume must be two pages or less. Resumes exceeding two pages will be instantly disqualified from consideration. Ensure you use clear, concise language to detail your dual experience.
2. Include Key Resume Metrics: For every previous employment entry, you must list the employer's name, job title, exact start and end dates (including month and year), and the number of hours worked per week. Without weekly hours, HR cannot credit your specialized experience.
3. Provide Legible Transcripts: You must upload clear, legible copies of your Bachelor’s degree transcript, along with any Master’s or Doctorate transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application process, but they must show that the degrees were awarded.
4. Sanitize Personal Documents: If you are claiming Military Spouse Preference (MSP) and uploading military orders or marriage certificates, you are encouraged to black out or sanitize any sensitive personal identification numbers belonging to your spouse to protect their privacy.
5. Check Your RN License Status: Make sure to upload proof of your active, unencumbered RN license. If this document is missing when the job post closes, your application will be marked incomplete.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is relocation assistance provided for this teaching position in Guam?

While DoWEA positions often support recruitment travel, applicants must confirm relocation offerings during the selection phase. Note that most civilian relocation expenses are taxable, but the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) is designed to help offset these tax burdens.

Q2: What options exist if I do not have a standard state teaching license?

You may substitute your license if you have completed Praxis I and II exams, or if you have seven years of verified, successful teaching experience at the PreK-12 level, provided you also meet all general and professional education coursework requirements and have completed a student teaching block.

Q3: What is a "Seasonal" position in the context of federal teaching?

This means your schedule follows the academic school year. You will work full-time while school is in session, but you will be in a non-pay, non-work status during the summer break. This allows you to plan travels, return home, or pursue personal endeavors between academic years.

Q4: Who do I contact if I require a reasonable accommodation during the application process?

For disability-related accommodations during the application or hiring process, please contact David Walton via email at [email protected].

Q5: When does the application period close?

The application window closes strictly at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on July 23, 2026. Be sure to upload your completed package well ahead of the deadline to allow files to clear automated safety scans.

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Stepping into the classroom as a Health Care Teacher at Guam High School represents an incredible transition for skilled nurses and clinical trainers. You will have the unique privilege of shaping the healthcare workers of tomorrow while enjoying a stable federal salary, a non-taxable cost-of-living adjustment, and the unparalleled experience of living in Guam.

Review your credentials, streamline your resume to the strict two-page limit, gather your transcripts, and submit your application to the Department of War Education Activity today!