Overview

Do you love kids? Are you excited by the idea of helping children learn to write short stories, graphic novels, songs, films and plays with beginnings, middles, and (drum roll) endings? Writopia Lab, an award-winning 501(c)3 non-profit that runs the country's best creative writing workshops for kids ages 6 to 18, is looking for creative writing instructors who will lead in-person, on-site workshops for one of Writopia Lab’s partnership organizations, Homes for the Homeless.

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 writers 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 in school. Our partner organization, Homes for the Homeless (HFH), operates shelters for families experiencing homelessness in New York City. HFH offers families an array of onsite programs, including Writopia Lab’s writing workshops. HFH’s goal is to have a positive impact so families can thrive long after they leave their shelters.

What Creative Writing Instructors Do

Creative Writing Instructors act as mentors to engage with our young writers from all backgrounds, helping them tell the stories that matter to them most. We are looking for experienced instructors to lead creative writing workshops with warmth, humor, curiosity, and insight. Workshops are a balance between fun and engaging literary games, focused writing time, and constant feedback from the instructor. We train instructors extensively in our method and are looking for published fiction and non-fiction authors and/or produced playwrights.

Location, Schedule and Pay

Location: Saratoga Family Inn, Jamaica Queens

Schedule: The general summer schedule is three days per week for three hours per day between Mondays and Fridays.

Hourly Pay: $25-$40 per hour for teaching; $16 per hour for administrative tasks; most hours will be paid at the teaching rate.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s preferred
• Ability to reliably and consistently commute to the partnership location
• Experience in public school environments, underserved communities, or community based organizations as teaching artists, teachers, or art-based roles preferred
• Working knowledge of social-emotional learning concepts and practices preferred
• Published fiction and/or non-fiction and/or produced plays preferred
• Enthusiasm for working with youth
• Flexibility teaching in various environments
• Ability to speak Spanish preferable
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including at least one booster

How to Apply

If you are excited by the idea of joining a community of creatives and working on collaborative storytelling with children and teens, please fill out our application form. (Don’t forget to attach your resume and cover letter). Please do not submit a cover letter or other application materials that have been generated by AI.

For 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, Inc. 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.