Sustainable Development Goals
The Project
The Mathematics Teacher Mentor at the Aileu Technical Vocational School will strengthen the skills and confidence of teachers and youth by delivering effective, evidence based maths instruction and mentoring. The role focuses on building essential numeracy skills for vocational pathways such as construction, mechanics, hospitality, agriculture, ICT, and small business.
The mentor will develop simple, reusable teaching resources; support teachers to use inclusive, varied strategies; and help students apply maths to real world, practical tasks. The project also identifies and develops “maths champions”—teachers and youth who can continue teaching, problem solving, and supporting numeracy development long after the mentor’s assignment ends.
Through this approach, the project builds sustainable local capacity, strengthens youth employability, and creates positive, practical pathways for rural Timorese youth.
The Location
Timor-Leste is one of Australia’s nearest neighbours and the poorest country in our region but has much to offer in terms of beauty and adventure. Despite almost 400 years of neglect during the Portuguese colonial period, Japanese invasion and Indonesia’s occupation from 1975 -2001, Timor Leste is now a new vibrant democracy enjoying its independence. Governance systems are being established and rebuilding of infrastructure destroyed by Indonesian backed militias in 1999 – 2000 is happening.
Timor Leste is a young nation where 59 percent of the population is under 25 years of age. Among the many challenges facing the government are how to ensure all children receive an education from primary to high school, and that employment opportunities are available once leaving high school or university.
Aileu is a municipality, and was formerly a district, of Timor-Leste. It has a population of 48,554 and an area of 737 km2. The municipality’s capital is also named Aileu.
The Challenge
Rural youth in Timor Leste have the talent and determination to thrive, yet many are held back by limited infrastructure, scarce learning resources, and digital isolation. Many students enter vocational school eager to learn but with low numeracy confidence. When teachers are equipped with practical training, inclusive strategies, and adaptable resources, they can transform this starting point into real progress.
Building maths teaching capacity is not just an education goal, it is vital for employment, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and long term livelihood security. Strengthening teachers strengthens communities, and empowering learners empowers Timor Leste’s future.
A mathematics teacher mentor will strengthen rural youth skills, confidence, motivation, and practical pathways to livelihoods, while strengthening teacher capacity and improving long term educational quality.
About You
Palms participants for this placement will need to demonstrate the following qualifications, skills, and attributes:
• Relevant qualifications and experience teaching maths for vocational school students
• Training expertise across design, delivery, implementation, and assessment
• Ability to mentor and guide teachers in improving teaching methods
• Strong mentoring, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Experience in working with youth and young adults
• Patience, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity.
• The ability to cope with cultural isolation and different living standards
• Commitment to serve for 12 months with limited resources.
• Willingness to engage their Australian community in promoting the work of the host organisation and their role.
How You Will Help
First, you must be willing to learn from the local community.
Over the first few weeks you are asked not to change anything or suggest a change to operations. During this period, you will take the time to learn language and cultural mores from a local counterpart willing to mentor you. You will also start a register of the strengths of the current personnel and the assets in the community/country that might be used to achieve the goals of the assignment.
You need to commit to clarifying why things are done the way they are rather than presuming from your own cultural lens to outline what is missing. So, you need to ask questions to enable you to learn from your hosts, rather than in ignorance make suggestions about how things can improve. Palms training will prepare you for this approach.
From then onward, you will apply your expertise in the following areas:
1. Deliver effective teaching using evidence-based pedagogical methods
2. Mentor teachers how to deliver mathematics subject curriculum.
3. Develop teaching materials that build Numeracy Skills and Confidence among vocational school students.
4. Assess Learning and Provide Feedback to mentee-teachers.
5. Connect Maths to Real World Applications
6. Foster Positive Classroom Culture through collaboration, group problem solving and peer support.
7. Facilitate reflective practice among the local teachers by evaluating lessons, adjusting strategies, staying updated on new curriculum, digital tools and teaching methods.