Jobs for Writers@

Writers in the Schools (WITS)

Overview: WITS is looking for creative writers who are passionate about teaching the power and pleasure of writing to young people and who are excited to collaborate with public school teachers. Employment is part-time. Writers-in-residence typically teach one day a week from September through June for a total of 84 direct teaching hours. A yearlong commitment is required.

Accountabilities:

  • Prepare & circulate a syllabus incorporating reading selections, and writing prompts, taking into account your classroom teachers’ desired learning outcomes and curriculum
  • Provide written feedback to your students on their writing
  • Attend monthly writer meetings
  • Keep track of excellent student work and submit it to WITS staff as requested for displays, online and print publication, etc.
  • Coordinate end-of-semester culminating events for your classes
  • Choose and prepare one student to read at the annual student reading
  • Reflect on and evaluate your residency

Required Qualifications:

  • Significant publications and/or performances
  • 1-2 years of teaching or mentoring experience with elementary, middle, or high school students.
  • Interest in collaborating with public school teachers
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Availability to teach the same day every week throughout the academic year (September – June)

Desired Qualifications:

  • Bilingual writers
  • Writers experienced with ELL or Special Education students

Compensation:

  • Writers-in-residence are paid $6,500 ($650 per month for 10 months, September – June)
  • Free tickets to Seattle Arts & Lectures events, as available
  • Professional development training and inspiring colleagues

How to apply

Send the following via mail or email:

  • Cover letter
  • Teaching and artistic resume with 3 references
  • 3-5 page creative writing sample in the genre you most like to teach
  • 1 page describing three specific writing goals you might have for a residency and two specific teaching exercises/lesson plans you would use to help students achieve those goals. Please identify if the exercises are intended for elementary, middle, or high school students.

Writers in the Schools
Seattle Arts & Lectures
105 S Main St, Suite 201
Seattle, WA 98104
elizabeth@lectures.org

Application materials are due by July 20, 2009. Feel free to apply in advance of the deadline, but be advised that we do not begin to review applications until after the July 20 deadline. Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted in August.

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