Apply via this web form and a YWP staff member will get back to you as soon as possible!
Future proposal period:
Winter/Spring 2023: Opens Sep 6; Closes Oct 9.
Future proposal period:
Summer Camps/Workshops & Fall Workshops 2023: Opens September 28; Closes Oct 28.
Position Summary
The Young Writers Program provides high-quality, challenging, fun, and engaging creative writing opportunities for Denver-area youth (aged 8-18). We aid and inspire our students to become critical thinkers, sophisticated readers, engaged citizens, and innovative artists as they discover the power of the written word. Through Lighthouse, students gain confidence in their writing, their voice, and their story. We believe students thrive when they can develop the socio-emotional tools and strategies that writing offers and explore the possibilities opened by writing.
For the coming 2022-2023 school year, the Lighthouse Young Writers Program is hiring Young Writers Instructors–practicing writers and teaching artists in the community–who will work as independent youth instructors in our in-house programming or in a creative writing placement at a public school classroom, library, or museum. We're looking for poets, fiction writers, nonfiction writers, cartoonists/graphic novelists, genre writers, writers who are lifelong learners and demonstrate a commitment to anti-racist pedagogy, disability justice and access, social-emotional learning, and making the classroom a student-centered and inclusive place for all.
The ideal candidate will be passionate about literature and creative writing and bring their interests, passions, and play to the classroom. This person will also be very organized, possess the ability to manage multiple projects with a high level of attention to detail, and be able to work well in a collaborative team atmosphere.
Specific Responsibilities
- Maintain their own work hours and workplace for class preparation, student interaction, exercise creation, and research;
- Conduct workshops and classes according to the agreed-upon schedule;
- Conduct any preparatory research, as necessary;
- Design curriculum and all necessary materials (we have plenty of resources to share, ask us!);
- Prepare and circulate to teachers and YWP Staff an abbreviated syllabus at least one week before class start date;
- Complete and return student diagnostics and evaluations;
- Maintain cleanliness of classroom space, discarding trash and wiping down the table(s) if necessary.
- Be observed by YWP staff 1-2x throughout the year, and participate in one-on-one debrief sessions.
- Collect student permissions and excellent student work throughout the year and submit to YWP Staff on deadline for online and print publications.
- Complete an annual self-evaluation and review with staff at the end of the year.
- Maintain confidentiality about all student work.
- Actively participate in YWP Faculty events (e.g. Happy Hours, Instructor Meetings, Friday 500 readings (and even participate/lead if you would like!), and other celebrations throughout the year); have a vested interest in building community among YWP Faculty.
- YWP Instructors are actively engaged in their own craft and excited to participate in the Denver literary community.
- Youth Community Engagement (Off-Site Teaching Placements): When Lighthouse receives requests from schools, libraries, museums, and other nonprofits to collaborate on creative writing programming, we work with instructors and site placements and classroom teachers to determine workshop parameters and fit. We ask that Young Writers Instructors attend at least one youth planning meeting with YWP Staff and Classroom Teacher(s) before each youth community engagement placement to ensure curriculum goals and classroom expectations are aligned.
For writer-teachers, the Young Writers Program includes:
- In-house creative writing workshop or community-based teaching experience with diverse populations of students aged 8 to 18
- Professional development throughout the year, including quarterly meetings with YWP peers, mentorship for new Young Writers Instructors, and access to resources and training on a variety of subjects such as curriculum development, neurodiversity, and racial equity
- Inclusion in the Friday 500 reading series and community anthology, publicized by Lighthouse Writers Workshop.
- Discounted tickets to all Lighthouse events throughout the season.
Desired Qualifications
- Bilingual
- Experience with English Language learners, GT learners, or Special Education students
Expectations:
- Guide students through exciting and innovative creative writing lessons
- Attend a Faculty Meeting in December
- Attend Young Writers Instructor Meetings (2 over the course of the school year).
Compensation and Work Relationship
This is an independent contractor position and will report directly to the Director of Youth and Community Programs and Young Writers Program Manager. Compensation is in accordance with the Young Writers Program Faculty Handbook.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Lighthouse Writers Workshop is a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, where all participants, employees, and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feel valued and respected. We value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are heard. To that end, we uphold a commitment to a diverse community by nurturing an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming work environment.
How to Apply