Curriculum Story Writer (SEL & Literacy Integration) (Volunteer)

Curriculum Story Writer (SEL & Literacy Integration) (Volunteer)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Storytelling & Media / PromisePress / Education Programs

Location: Remote via Google Meet and/or New York City (as needed)

Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, literacy development, social-emotional learning (SEL), creative expression, and storytelling, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people are seen, respected, and valued.

MAP’s curriculum-aligned storytelling work integrates narrative, education, and emotional development—using stories as tools for learning, reflection, and connection.

Purpose of the Role

The Curriculum Story Writer bridges storytelling and education. This role transforms narrative content into lesson-aligned stories that support literacy development while embedding core SEL competencies such as identity, belonging, emotional literacy, and self-expression.

Working closely with program staff and educators, this writer ensures that stories are classroom-ready, developmentally appropriate, and usable across MAP’s in-school and community-based programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Convert stories into lesson-aligned narratives that support literacy and SEL outcomes
• Embed SEL competencies, including identity, belonging, emotional awareness, and empathy
• Write with clear instructional intent while preserving narrative warmth and engagement
• Collaborate with program staff, educators, and curriculum leads
• Support alignment with grade-level expectations and learning objectives
• Adapt stories for use in classrooms, small groups, and mentoring sessions
• Ensure content is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and age-appropriate
• Participate in curriculum reviews, feedback sessions, and revisions as needed
• Maintain clear documentation and version control of curriculum stories
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours
• Take responsibility for continuous improvement by incorporating educator feedback

Qualifications

• Experience in curriculum writing, educational storytelling, teaching, or literacy development
• Strong understanding of SEL frameworks and age-appropriate pedagogy
• Ability to integrate learning objectives into engaging narrative formats
• Sensitivity to trauma-informed and culturally responsive education practices
• Strong collaboration, communication, and organizational skills
• Commitment to ethical, inclusive, and mission-driven education

Bonus (Not Required)

• Classroom teaching or youth-program experience
• Familiarity with CASEL-aligned SEL competencies
• Experience working with students experiencing housing instability
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred)

Commitment

• Volunteer role, approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Remote collaboration via Google Meet, with optional NYC-based participation
• MAP prioritizes consistency, care, and respect for creative labor

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience developing story-based curriculum with real classroom impact
• Portfolio-ready SEL-integrated narrative work
• Collaboration with educators, program leaders, and creative teams
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• The opportunity to help students learn through stories that affirm identity and belonging

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.

Write stories that teach, connect, and empower—where learning and humanity meet.