Teaching Artist - Creative Writing (Washington Heights)

Overview of Position:

826NYC Teaching Artists lead creative writing programs in New York City public schools and nonprofit organizations. These programs include Extended Day, Young Writers Publish, and Personal Statement Workshops. 826NYC is currently seeking Teaching Artists to lead a year-long after-school program for Spanish-speaking English Language Learners at a middle schools in Washington Heights. This program will include creative writing classes using 826NYC's genre-based writing curricula, as well as one day a week of a graphic novel class. Classes may be split between two Teaching Artists (one for creative writing, one for graphic novel) or a single Teaching Artist with both writing and graphic novel experience may lead all classes.

Once hired, Teaching Artists may sign on for additional projects in other schools and neighborhoods, including both school day and after-school programs in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Teaching Artists are assigned to projects throughout the year based on availability and expertise. Programs serve grades 1-12 and can range in length from 6 workshops to a full semester or school year. Projects culminate in an anthology of student work, which is professionally designed and printed, and/or a student reading and celebration.

Some projects utilize 826NYC's genre-based writing curriculum, while others are designed in partnership with classroom educators to align with learning goals and the interests of participating students. Teaching Artists' responsibilities include adapting existing curriculum and creating new curriculum in accordance with program needs, which may include supporting students with learning differences and English Language Learners.

Teaching Artists should be writers who are passionate about literacy education and have experience teaching writing at the elementary, middle, and/or high school level. This position will be supervised and supported by the 826NYC Director of Education. Teaching Artists may also have the support of trained volunteers during workshops, as schedules allow. Lesson planning and administrative hours are flexible, and can usually be completed asynchronously and remotely.

Reports to: 826NYC Director of Education

Oversees: Project volunteers, as needed

Duration and Hours: Project-based during the school year; limited summer projects may be available.

Pay: $50/hr in the classroom; $25/hr paid time for planning, administrative tasks, and training

Major Responsibilities:

• Design age-appropriate, project-based writing curriculum for grades ranging from 4-12
• Adapt and implement existing 826NYC curriculum for grades ranging from 1-8
• Facilitate each in-class session of the program
• Communicate regularly with the Director of Education and school or partner staff
• Support in-class volunteers, sharing workshop plans in advance and providing guidance for working with students during sessions
• Collect student writing for publications and performances
• Administer feedback surveys; take attendance; collect publication consent forms
• Collaborate with other 826NYC staff for the publishing student anthologies and/or student performances
• Submit lesson plans, timesheets, attendance reports, and other administrative documents

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience
• Advanced or fluent Spanish language skills / bilingual English-Spanish
• Artistic excellence in one or more writing disciplines
• Experience working with youth in NYC public schools
• Experience teaching writing, whether in a classroom setting or out-of-school-time learning programs, for elementary, middle, and/or high school-aged students
• Experience working with youth with a wide variety of learning needs, including students with IEPs and English Language Learners
• A passion to improve literacy and a deep commitment to student success
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and interpersonal
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• A strong work ethic, a collaborative spirit, self-starter
• Proficient with Google tools
• A deep passion and commitment to the mission of 826NYC

While Teaching Artists work on a project-by-project basis, they are classified as part-time staff and as such receive a W-2 (instead of a 1099) and accrue paid sick leave. Teaching Artists have access to paid professional development opportunities, and may work remotely for most responsibilities outside of teaching time (e.g. lesson prep, administrative work, team meetings).

Seeking bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates, or candidates with advanced-level Spanish language skills who have experience working with English Language Learners.