OverviewAttention all writers. Do you love kids? Are you excited by the idea of helping kids express themselves and explore their world through creative writing? Writopia Lab, an award-winning 501(c)3 nonprofit that runs writing workshops for kids ages 7 to 18, is looking for an Assistant Creative Writing Instructor to support workshop instructors for our location on the Upper West Side of New York City.Since its formation in New York City in 2007, Writopia Lab has grown into a nationwide community of young writers. Our mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing. We create a safe and engaging space for kids and teens at all stages of the writing process, and we aim to provide the creative inspiration, individual attention, and intellectual environment that may not be available to them at school.What Assistant Writing Instructors DoOur Assistant Instructors help support the Instructors who lead workshops. Workshops are age-based, small groups of kids and teens who are challenged to set and achieve writing goals in a fun and engaging way. A balance between fun, engaging literary games, focused writing time, and constant feedback from the instructor, our workshops seek to engage young writers from all backgrounds and help them tell the stories that matter to them most.We are looking for Assistant Instructors to help our Instructors who lead creative writing workshops with warmth, humor, curiosity, and insight. We train Assistant Instructors extensively in our method and are looking for people who are writers themselves and who want to engage with kids and teens through writing.During the school year, workshops meet after school and on weekends in weekly 90 minute sessions; during the summer, workshops are week-long and meet for three hours a day. School-year sessions typically meet Monday through Friday after school and throughout the day on the weekends.Responsibilities
- Support in-person writing workshops for small groups of kids
- Engage with young writers on a group and individual basis, following the guidance of the Instructor
- Help the Instructor foster a supportive, collaborative, safe workshop environment where writers feel comfortable expressing themselves
- Learn to recognize workshop dynamics and to support writers of different abilities, strengths, and affinities. Support the Instructor in making all writers feel included and inspired
- Perform other tasks as assigned
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree or currently pursuing a a BA
- Ability to reliably and consistently commute to workshop locations
- Enthusiasm for and experience working with youth
- Experience mentoring youth and teens in creative writing required
- Must be fully vaccinated against COVID 19 including at least one booster
Schedule, Location, and PayAssistant Instructors generally work 3-10 hours per week with the possibility of additional hours based on availability and program need. We have a specific current need for people with Saturday availability.This is an in-person position, with some possible online work. Assistant Instructors will work in-person at our location in New York City on the Upper West Side.Hourly Rate: Hourly Pay: $20 per hour for assistant instructor duties; $16.00 per hour for administrative tasks. Most hours will be paid at the assistant instructor rate.How to ApplyIf you are excited by the idea of joining a community of writers and helping children and teens learn to strengthen their writing skills, please apply! (Don't forget to attach your resume, cover letter, and answer the question Why do you want to work at Writopia? )To find out more information regarding who we are and what we do here at Writopia Lab, please visit our website at www.writopialab.org.Writopia Lab uses E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.Writopia Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Writopia Lab does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or on any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.No phone calls, emails, or drop ins, please.