Apply To Teach For Writers in the Schools

WITS hires professional writers with teaching backgrounds to lead creative writing residencies for public high school students. We are committed to building a roster of teaching artists that reflects the diversity of our schools. This is a seasonal contractor position, and residencies take place during the school day. WITS provides a mandatory orientation prior to placement, as well as ongoing paid professional development opportunities.

Apply To Be a WITS Writer

TEACHING FOR WITS    

WITS hires professional writers with teaching backgrounds to lead creative writing residencies for public high school students. We are committed to building a roster of teaching artists that reflects the diversity of our schools. This is a seasonal contractor position, and residencies take place during the school day. WITS provides a mandatory orientation prior to placement, as well as ongoing paid professional development opportunities. Traditional residencies are the equivalent of 15 in-class teaching hours and are compensated at a flat rate of $1885 each. Express residencies are the equivalent of 7 in-class teaching hours and are compensated at a flat rate of $942.50 each. 

For the last two years, WITS has been operating on a reduced capacity, but in the 22-23 school year, WITS is returning to a full 42 residencies for the year. This should provide more opportunities for residency placements for writers.

All school district contractors are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. WITS classes are taught in person. 

Please complete this application by June 26th, 2022. 

Questions? Email Olivia Jones-Hall at olivia@literary-arts.org.

Writers interested in teaching for WITS for the 2022-23 school year should fill out the application: https://forms.gle/sc6vWqnUkQaY5dbz7

The application requires the following items:

1. Cover Letter – Please indicate whether you are applying for the WITS Writer or WITS Apprentice position
2. Resume or CV with publication and teaching experience
3. A creative writing sample or video link of your work (appropriate for high school students)
4. Sample creative writing lesson for a one hour or 1.5 hour class or unit plan (appropriate for high school students)
5. Name and contact info for two references
6. Your schedule/availability for the 2022-23 school year

Applications for the 2022-23 school year will only be accepted from June 1st– June 26th, 2022.

Apply to Be a WITS Apprentice

WITS offers apprenticeships for writers identifying as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color (BIPOC). The WITS Apprenticeship for BIPOC Writers is designed to act as a pathway for BIPOC writers who do not yet have the experience necessary to be hired as a writer with WITS but who would like to gain the experience. Alternatively, we seek to support writers who have prior experience working with youth but may still be in the emerging stages of their writing career. As the WITS program hires writers with considerable experience both in writing and teaching, our apprenticeship addresses both requirements and offers resources for advancing in both fields.

Apply to Become a Writer in the Schools (WITS) Apprentice

We are looking for BIPOC writers with:

• an established and disciplined writing practice
• experience with youth and/or other community work
• evidence of creative output (published work, or other forms of creative work out in the world)

The WITS Apprenticeship for Writers of Color offers:

• A competitive stipend ($1300; paid in 4 installments)
• Mentorship and teaching training from a WITS Program Specialist
• Learning alongside a WITS writer during a residency in a co-teaching experience
• Paid professional development meetings offered by Literary Arts
• Up to three hour-long 1:1 consultations with local writers of color
• Complimentary admission to Literary Arts’ Portland Arts & Lectures series and special events (subject to availability)
• Reimbursement for external professional development fees (subject to approval)

A Note on Scheduling

WITS is a unique, immersive collaboration between Literary Arts and our partners in Portland Public Schools, the Parkrose School District, Woodburn School District, and Gresham-Barlow School District. Our residencies take place during class time in a wide variety of classrooms with teachers who have applied to have a WITS writer in their classroom sharing space. As a result, scheduling is unpredictable until the planning meeting occurs during which time WITS teachers and writers are given the autonomy of scheduling the class sessions. We strive to meet the scheduling needs of every WITS writer, teacher, and apprentice; however, we cannot guarantee school placement or hyper-specific scheduling conflicts. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility in shaping this unique program.

How to Apply

The WITS program has the capacity to work with two apprentices each year. WITS apprentices will teach in the traditional residency model. Traditional residencies are the equivalent of 15 in-class teaching hours and are compensated at a flat rate of $1300 each. All school district contractors are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. WITS classes are taught in person. 

Please complete this application by June 26th, 2022: https://forms.gle/KMnLvDHDyKcpC9ie8

Questions? Email Olivia Jones-Hall at olivia@literary-arts.org. The application requires the following items:

1. Cover Letter – Please indicate whether you are applying for the WITS Writer or WITS Apprentice position
2. Resume or CV with publication and teaching experience
3. A creative writing sample or video link of your work (appropriate for high school students)
4. Name and contact info for two references
5. Your schedule/availability for the 2022-23 school year