826NYC is a nonprofit organization that focuses on encouraging the exploration of endless possibility through the power of writing. Our mission is to create spaces where students can build the skills to write their own paths forward, undefined by circumstance, and to support new and exciting approaches to writing and inspire student engagement. Our mission is based on the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with individualized attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

We are currently hiring Teaching Artists for the 2023-2024 school year. Please apply by August 15 to be considered for the current round of hiring. Late applications will be retained for future rounds of hiring.

Teaching Artists lead short-term, project-based residencies in New York City public schools, nonprofit organizations, and city-run programs. Some teaching artists also lead semester-long creative writing classes using established curricula in after-school programs at schools around the city and weekend programs at 826NYC.

826NYC’s in-schools and partnerships programs are tailored to the needs of each partner school and organization. We have two partnership models:

• School-day residencies typically range from 6 to 12 sessions in length, meeting 1-2 times per week during school hours. Each project culminates in an anthology of student work, which is professionally designed and printed for distribution. Teaching artists develop or modify curricula for these residencies based on the specifics of the project.
• Extended day programs meet during after school hours and typically meet once a week for a full semester. Teaching artists utilize curricula from 826NYC’s Write Away Workshops program.

Possible projects that 826NYC’s Teaching Artists may work on include: memoir, poetry, short stories, comics and graphic novels, and speculative fiction. This list is not exhaustive, and projects are typically designed in partnership with classroom educators and program staff to embrace themes and genres of interest to participating students.

Teaching Artists have placements throughout the year based on availability and expertise, so the work schedule varies from project to project.

Overview of Position:

826NYC is seeking Teaching Artists to design curriculum and lead in-school project-based residencies. This person should not only be a writer, but also be passionate about literacy education and have experience working with students in grades 5-12. This position is supervised and supported by the 826NYC Director of Education. Planning hours/days are somewhat flexible depending on the Teaching Artist’s schedule. The end goal for each in-school residency is to produce a professionally designed and printed anthology of the students’ writing. The teaching artist will work with 826NYC staff to support the publishing process.

Reports to: 826NYC Director of Education
Duration and Hours: Project-based during the school year; some summer projects may be available.
Pay: $50/hr in the classroom plus $25/hr paid time for planning, administrative tasks, and training
Location: Sessions are held in-person at schools around NYC. In the 2023-2024 school year, we will work with schools in neighborhoods including East New York (Brooklyn), Coney Island (Brooklyn), Cypress Hills (Brooklyn), Crown Heights (Brooklyn), Chelsea (Manhattan), Forest Hills (Queens), Melrose (Bronx).

Major Responsibilities:

• Design age-appropriate, project-based writing curriculum for grades ranging from 5-12
• Utilize and adapt as needed existing writing curriculum for grades 1-8 in after school or weekend programs
• Travel to schools around NYC to deliver high-quality in-person programs
• Facilitate high-energy, interactive writing workshops that embrace student voice and choice
• Communicate regularly with the Director of Education; communicate with school or partner staff as needed
• Collect student writing
• Administer feedback surveys; take attendance; support the collection of publication consent forms
• Coordinate the publishing of an anthology of writing from the project when relevant
• Submit lesson plans, timesheets, reports, and other administrative documents in a timely manner

Required skills and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience
• Demonstrated artistic excellence in one or more writing disciplines
• At least 2 years of experience teaching youth between grades 1-12, and creating curriculum for youth between grades 1-12
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and interpersonal
• Excellent project management and organizational skills; ability to stay organized and meet deadlines with lots of independent work
• A strong work ethic, a collaborative spirit, self-starter
• Proficient with computer applications — (i.e. Microsoft Office, Google Drive)
• A deep passion and commitment to the mission of 826NYC

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with youth in NYC public schools
• Experience teaching English Language Learners and emergent bilingual youth
• Conversational Spanish or better

Please submit your application via this Typeform by August 15 for the Fall 2023 semester. The application includes:

• Your resume, highlighting your experience as a teacher and writer
• Your cover letter, describing your interest in being a teaching artist at 826NYC
• An original curriculum sample you developed for a multi-part writing project with students between grades 5-12. Please be sure to indicate what grade level the curriculum is for.

No phone calls or emails, please.