Assistant Instructor, Creative Writing Workshops for Youth, Brooklyn

Overview

Attention all writers. Do you love kids? Are you excited by the idea of helping kids express themselves and explore their world through creative writing? Writopia Lab, an award-winning 501(c)3 nonprofit that runs writing workshops for kids ages 7 to 18, is looking for Assistant Instructors for our location in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

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 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 intellectual environment that may not be available to them at school.

What Assistant Instructors Do

Our Assistant Instructors primarily support the Instructors who lead workshops. They also pick up kids at their school and walk them to the Park Slope lab location for workshop. Before workshops begin, Assistant Instructors engage with kids, chatting and playing games. Workshops are age-based, small groups of kids or teens who are challenged to set and achieve writing goals in a fun and engaging way. Assistant Instructors support Instructors in workshop with a fun, warm, and engaging attitude. They help harness young writers' passion and curiosity. We train Assistant Instructors extensively in our method and are looking for people who love writing and would enjoy supporting youth as they explore creative expression through writing.

During the school year, workshops run after school and on weekends; during the summer, longer three-hour workshops run during the day. Workshops are a balance between fun, engaging literary games, focused writing time, and constant feedback from the instructor.

Schedule, Location, and Pay

Assistant Instructors generally work 3-10 hours per week, with the possibility of additional hours based on availability and program need. Our current programming runs through the spring trimester, ending in early June.

This is an in-person position. Assistant Instructors will work in-person at our Park Slope location in Brooklyn. Hourly Pay: $25 per hour for assistant teaching; $17 per hour for administrative tasks. Most hours will be paid at the assistant teaching rate.

Responsibilities

• Follow the lead of the Instructor, supporting as needs emerge during workshop
• Pick up school-age writers from school locations and walk them to our Park Slope lab location
• Engage with young writers on a group and individual basis; encourage setting and achieving writing goals in a fun and productive way
• Foster an encouraging, collaborative, safe workshop environment where young writers feel comfortable expressing themselves

Requirements

• Ability to reliably and consistently commute to workshop location
• Ability to be flexible with work responsibilities; willingness to jump in as needed
• Desire and ability to commit to schedule of assigned workshops and school pick ups
• Love of creative writing
• Experience working with youth in some capacity preferred

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 writing skills, please apply! Don’t forget to attach your resume, cover letter, and answer the question “Why do you want to work at Writopia Lab?” Please do not submit cover letters or application materials 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 uses E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

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.

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