Overview
Do you love kids? Are you excited by the idea of helping children learn to write
short stories, graphic novels, songs, films and plays with beginnings, middles,
and (drum roll) endings? Writopia Lab, an award-winning 501(c)3 non-profit that
runs the country's best creative writing workshops for kids ages 6 to 18, is
looking for debate instructors who will lead in-person, on-site workshops at
two different Bronx Charter Schools for Excellence.
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 writers 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 in school. Our partner organization, the Bronx Charter School for
Excellence, prepares young people in New York City to compete for admission to
and succeed in top public, private and parochial high schools by cultivating
their intellectual, artistic, social, emotional, and ethical development.
What Debate Instructors Do
The Debate Instructor for this partnership program will lead debate workshops on
site at the schools. The instructor acts as a mentor for the workshop
participants, students at the school, helping them engage with topics that
matter to them most. We are looking for experienced instructors to lead the
debate workshops with warmth, humor, curiosity, and insight. Debate workshops
are a balance between fun and engaging skill-building games, focused research
time, and constant feedback from the instructor. We train instructors
extensively in our method and are looking for people with experience in debate
skills, methods, and tournaments.
Location, Schedule and Pay
Locations: Bronx Charter Schools for Excellence: 1734 Williamsbridge Road and
1960 Benedict Avenue
Schedule: The general schedule is two to five days per week for three to 4.5
hours per day between Mondays and Fridays.
Hourly Pay: $35.00-$45.00 per hour for teaching; $16.50-$20.00 per hour for
administrative tasks; most hours will be paid at the teaching rate.
Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s preferred
Ability to reliably and consistently commute to the partnership
location(s)
Experience in public school environments and/or underserved
communities/community based organizations as teaching artists, teachers, or
art-based roles preferred
Working knowledge of social-emotional learning concepts and practices
preferred
Minimum of two years experience as a competitive debater or coach for debate
programs
Knowledge of skills and strategies used in preparing for and participating
in debate meets, tournaments, and programs
Enthusiasm for working with youth
Flexibility teaching in various environments
Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including at least one
booster
How to Apply
If you are excited by the idea of joining a community of creatives and working
on collaborative storytelling with children and teens, please fill out our
application form here, and be sure to attach your resumé and cover letter. Please do
not submit a cover letter or other application materials that have been
generated by AI.
For 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, Inc. 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.
