Overview

Are you a debate enthusiast who loves working with kids and teens? Writopia Lab, an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that runs the country's best creative workshops for kids ages 6 to 18, is looking for part-time debate instructors to run workshops for our debate program.

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 workshops centered around 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 an intellectual environment that may not be available to them at school.

What Debate Instructors Do

We are hiring instructors for our debate program. During the school year, instructors work 3 to 6 hours per week, including hours on occasional Saturdays. During the summer, instructors generally work 15 to 18 hours per week. Our workshops are age-based (7 to 18 years old), small groups of kids and teens who are challenged to set and achieve writing goals in a fun and engaging way. Debate Instructors act as mentors for our young workshop participants from all backgrounds, helping them engage with topics that matter to them most. We are looking for experienced instructors to lead our debate workshops with warmth, humor, curiosity, and insight. Debate workshops are a balance between fun and engaging skill-building games, focused research time, and constant feedback from the instructor. We train instructors extensively in our method and are looking for instructors with experience in debate skills, methods, and tournaments.

Requirements & Skills

• Enthusiasm for and experience working with youth
• Minimum of two years experience as a competitive debater or coach for debate programs
• Knowledge of skills and strategies used in preparing for and participating in debate meets, tournaments, and programs
• Ability to reliably and consistently commute to workshop locations
• Flexibility instructing in various environments
• Ability to work occasional Saturdays for debate tournaments
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID 19 including at least one booster

Schedule, Location, and Pay

During the school year, instructors work 3 to 6 hours per week, including hours on occasional Saturdays. During the summer, instructors generally work 15 to 18 hours per week. Instructors will work primarily in-person at our Upper West Side location.

Hourly Pay: $25-$35 per hour for instructing; $16 per hour for administrative tasks. Most hours will be paid at the instructing rate.

How to Apply

If you are excited by the idea of joining a community of writers and helping children and teens learn to strengthen their debate, research, and writing skills, please apply! Please attach your resume, cover letter, and answer the question “Why do you want to work at Writopia Lab?” Please do not submit application materials that have been generated by AI.

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 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.

Writopia Lab uses E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States

No phone calls, emails, or drop ins, please.