Chapter 510 - WESTLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHING ARTIST

Classification: Part-Time (4–7 hours/week), Non-exempt, At-Will

Start Date: August 2025

OVERVIEW

The Westlake Middle School Teaching Artist leads creative writing, bookmaking, and publishing workshops in our Westlake Writers’ Room. Reporting to the Program Director, this position is ideal for a seasoned teaching artist with experience in curriculum development and a commitment to cultural responsive, student-centered education. This role collaborates closely with Westlake's ELL teacher, Chapter 510’s Program Coordinator, Book Art Teaching Artist, and our Writing Mentors.

CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING APPROACH

Our programs are grounded in a Culturally Responsive Teaching Approach inspired by Zaretta Hammond and our pedagogy partners, Studio Pathways. All curriculum centers the work of writers of color and integrates arts-based frameworks to support diverse learning styles and ways of knowing.

ABOUT CHAPTER 510

Mission

Chapter 510 connects youth to the power of their story.

We provide a safe space for youth to bravely write, centering Black, brown and queer voices.

Vision

Every young person in Oakland writes with confidence and joy.

Values

We are youth-centered.

We create programs for kids and teens ages 8-19. We center youth imagination, identity, and experience as an integral part of our curriculum and our community space.

We create lasting impact.

We build in-depth, long-term programming that helps form multi-year relationships with students, educators, volunteers, donors, and partners to create lasting impact in our students’ lives.

We center play & imagination.

We value play and imagination as essential to learning, fostering an environment of creativity, innovation, empathy, and connection.

We are strength-based.

We believe that every young person has brilliance within them. We create an affirming and culturally competent space for young people to grow and become agents of change.

We are Oakland-centered.

We prioritize Oakland youth, schools, artists, and vendors. We build connections between the city’s diverse communities, individuals, and organizations around arts and culture.

We create safe & brave spaces.

We cultivate a space where young people of diverse backgrounds can express their full selves in an environment of care and compassion. We hold safe space for queer and BIPOC youth to bravely write.

We are committed to Justice, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

We are an anti-hate and anti-discrimination organization that fosters a space of belonging through the arts and education. We follow culturally responsive practices in teaching and publishing. We prioritize publishing youth of color in programs led by paid artists of color who reflect the communities we serve.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Teaching Artist Duties

Teaching & Facilitation

• Lead in-person writing workshops at Westlake Middle School.
• Collaborate with Westlake teachers and Chapter 510 Book Arts instructors to support student and classroom goals.
• Ensure students complete and submit final drafts for publication.
• Debrief with staff after each workshop to discuss needs, insights, and seek support.

Curriculum Development

• Design dynamic, age-appropriate, middle school curriculum aligned with Chapter 510’s pedagogy.
• Upload teaching outlines and weekly plans to the shared Google Drive.
• Provide advance notice of supply and technology needs.

Mentor Collaboration

• Support with orientation of writing mentors.
• Develop clear structures for mentoring sessions in the classroom.
• Maintain clear and professional communication with mentors

Evaluation & Documentation

• Administer student surveys and submit to supervisor
• Complete final teacher evaluation as assigned by supervisor

Publication Support

• Write the book introduction for each class publication.
• Ensure all student work is publication-ready, including editing support.
• Collaborate on the order of student pieces for print.

School Engagement

• Attend select school events, trainings and celebrations as related to programs
• Represent Chapter 510 at the school as well as maintain professional and consistent communication with core Westlake staff and administration

OTHER DUTIES

Community Engagement & Events

• Prepare students for public readings and book releases.
• Attend assigned staff meetings and organizational events.
• Represent Chapter 510 in public/media opportunities related to the program.
• Participate in staff retreats (August & January), orientation, and professional development sessions.

Shared Responsibilities

• Reset and tidy writers room after each class.
• Complete paperwork accurately and on time.
• Engage in direct communication and proactive problem-solving.
• Other duties as assigned.

CHAPTER 510 REQUIREMENTS

Specialty-Related

• 3+ years of experience teaching or facilitating youth programming.
• Experience teaching creative writing to middle school students.
• Experienced with leading instruction in multiple writing genres (e.g., fiction, poetry, memoir).
• Ability to design culturally responsive, age-appropriate curriculum.
• Preferred: Experience with Oakland-based arts or education organizations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Core Attributes (All Staff)

• Deep commitment to Chapter 510’s mission and values.
• Experience working with diverse communities and across lines of difference.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Reliable, organized, and detail-oriented.
• Comfortable with direct feedback and respectful disagreement.
• Committed to self-reflection and growth.
• Computer-literate (Macintosh proficiency preferred).
• Comfortable presenting in public.
• Bilingual English-Spanish is a plus.

Logistical & Legal

• Must live within 30 miles of Oakland, CA.
• Must have a working phone and internet access.
• Must pass a background check (confidential and limited to job-relevant information).

SCHEDULE & COMPENSATION

• 5–7 hours/week, starting August 2025.
• Must be available during the school day.
• $55–$65/hour, depending on experience.

APPLY

Applications due July 25, 2025.

Send cover letter and resume to jahan@chapter510.org

HOW WE HIRE AT CHAPTER 510

Chapter 510 is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from individuals representative of the communities we serve. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any protected category under the law.We are committed to a hiring process that is clear, collaborative, and rooted in our values of racial justice, youth voice, and culturally responsive education.

Access Needs Welcome We are happy to make reasonable accommodations at any stage of the process. Please feel free to reach out if you have any access needs, such as interpretation, mobility support, or interview flexibility. We believe hiring should reflect the community we serve. That means we especially welcome applications from Black, Brown, Indigenous, disabled, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and youth-rooted educators.

If you have questions about a role, feel free to reach out before applying.

This is an English writing class. Bilingual English-Spanish proficiency is preferred but not required. Additional language fluency is welcomed and valued, especially in languages spoken in Oakland communities. Multilingualism supports our commitment to culturally responsive education and inclusive communication with students and families.