Independent Contractor Opening: Writers in the Schools Writer
Position: WITS Writer
Status: Independent Contractor
Compensation: $1750 per residency
Reports to: Director of Youth Programs
Deadline: August 16, 2020
PDF: Click here
Overview
Literary Arts seeks experienced teaching artists with backgrounds in education and writing to join our roster of writers for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.
WITS pairs writers with classroom teachers to lead creative writing residencies for public high school students. Our WITS program currently serves students at 11 schools within Portland Public Schools, Parkrose School District, and Gresham-Barlow School District. Residencies take place during the school day and scheduling is unpredictable. Therefore, this role requires a flexible schedule of at least three full mornings or afternoon per week during the academic year. Being on the roster does not guarantee a residency placement, although we do our best to place writers at least once per year.
We are committed to building a teaching artist roster that reflects the diversity of Multnomah County’s schools and prefer candidates with demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion work through education. Teaching artists identifying as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color and bilingual writers are especially encouraged to apply.
For consideration for the 2020-21 school year, please apply by Sunday, August 16, 2020. To learn more visit www.literary-arts.org/about/programs/youth/
Responsibilities
- Teaching creative writing residencies (typically 10 sessions or equivalent) to students from diverse backgrounds in variety of classrooms (language arts, ELL, anthropology, science, etc.) and formats (in-person, hybrid, distance learning)
- Attending annual WITS writer orientation in September
- Maintaining timely communication with WITS staff and school teachers
- Ongoing collaboration with WITS staff, fellow WITS writers, and school partners
- Designing inclusive, responsive curriculum for high school students
- Providing feedback and encouragement to student writing during residency placement(s)
- Receiving and integrating feedback following classroom observations from WITS staff
- Attending end-of-residency reading and performing your work
- Completing the background check and fingerprinting process for PPS contractors
Skills & Qualifications
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.
- Prior teaching experience, with strong preference for work with youth
- Identify as a writer with publication experience and/or an established practice
- Understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially in the classroom
- Knowledge of, and ongoing willingness to learn, educational pedagogy and best practices
- Fluency with digital tools such as Basecamp, Zoom, Google Meet and Drive, or willingness to learn
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to reliably travel up to 20 miles in and around Portland metro
Physical and Environmental Conditions
This position is performed primarily indoors in school buildings and offices, and is an active role requiring mobility across school campuses. In light of COVID-19, this role may require the delivery of services virtually though support may be available for access to technological needs.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Literary Arts is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment for our employees, volunteers, and wider literary community. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
To Apply
Please send a PDF document that includes the following items, as well as any questions, to Emilly Prado at emilly@literary-arts.org by Sunday, August 16, 2020:
1) Cover Letter
2) Resume or CV with publication and teaching experience
3) Two references
4) A creative writing sample or video link of your work (appropriate for high school students)
About Us
The Youth Programs of Literary Arts inspire our city’s youth to find their stories and play an active role in the broader community. We provide opportunities for high school students to use their voice through creative writing, Q&As with authors, student readings, and spoken word performance. Much of our work prioritizes underserved communities, and we strive to make our programs as equitable as possible.Writers in the Schools has offered creative writing residencies in Portland, and more recently, east Multnomah County, high schools since 1996. WITS is one of several programs within the Youth Programs of Literary Arts which collective serve over 4,000 students annually.
For more information about Literary Arts, please visit www.literary-arts.org.
The mission of Literary Arts is to engage readers, support writers, and inspire the next generation with great literature.
