PEN/Faulkner is seeking candidates for its inaugural Lisa Page Writing Workshop Fellowship, a nine-month professional development and paid teaching opportunity in Washington, DC.
The Lisa Page Writing Workshop Fellowship is a nine-month contract opportunity to teach hands-on writing workshops to young people in DC public school classrooms in grades 3-12. Workshops take place during the school day. The Fellow is compensated at a flat rate of $8,000 (paid in 4 installments). The Fellow must be able to pass a state-mandated background check and a drug/alcohol test, as required by our partner schools, and must be able to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
The Fellow, who will be fully integrated into the Education Programs team, will be responsible for both delivery and administration of PEN/Faulkner’s Writing Workshops program, in partnership with the organization’s Director of Education Programs. The Fellow must be able to work collaboratively and independently to the highest standards and to represent PEN/Faulkner with multiple constituents.
The Fellow must be available for school-based in-person programming beginning in fall 2021 through spring 2022. Program administration can occur remotely, but does require access to reliable wifi and technology with audio and video capabilities. PEN/Faulkner primarily uses Google Suites and Zoom.
Some of our most recent writing workshops include: op-ed writing and movie reviews with third graders; writing “awesomely” using figurative language and sensory descriptions with seventh and eighth graders; and exploring the power of point of view with tenth graders. Many of our writing workshops have a social justice component.
We are looking for writers who:
- Have an established creative practice and are able to deliver skills-based creative writing lessons
- Possess a willingness and excitement to work with young people ranging from grades 3-12
- Embrace creative risk-taking and “failure” throughout the creative process
- Have experience working with youth and/or other community work, preferably with Black, Latinx, and/or low-income populations
- Demonstrate excellent time management and organization skills required to coordinate program logistics
- Able to travel to schools in neighborhoods throughout DC
- Can commit to a nine-month contract of in-person workshop programming beginning in August/September 2021 and extending through May/June 2022
During the nine months, the Fellow receives:
- An opportunity to develop and deliver creative writing workshops to young people across multiple grade levels and within different classrooms
- Direct experience with program administration (managing workshop calendars, communication with partners, and evaluation/data collection) at a renowned literary nonprofit
- Professional development, training, and support in the field of arts administration and arts education
- Free tickets to PEN/Faulkner’s Literary Conversations, PEN/Malamud Award ceremony, and PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction ceremony
- $8,000, paid in four installments
How to apply:
Individuals interested in applying to serve as the Lisa Page Writing Workshop Fellow for 2021-2022 should submit a cover letter, resume (demonstrating your experience with young people/community populations), a brief statement (250 words) on your approach to working with youth, and your general anticipated availability Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4 pm beginning in September 2021. Submit your application materials to [email protected] with “Writing Workshop Fellow” in the subject line.
Candidates who are selected to move forward will be required to give a short lesson demonstration via Zoom and submit contact information for three references. Applications will be accepted from June 1-June 30, with interviews beginning in July.
We value individuals with diverse talents and backgrounds.
About:
The PEN/Faulkner Foundation celebrates literature and fosters connections between readers and writers to enrich and inspire both individuals and communities. The Lisa Page Writing Workshop Fellow is named in honor of Lisa Page, a writer, instructor, and academic. Her writing workshops include college students, graduate students, high school students, and incarcerated men. She is co-editor of We Wear the Mask: 15 True Stories of Passing in America. She has been a member of the PEN/Faulkner Board of Directors for over twenty years.
PEN/Faulkner is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and strongly encourages persons of color; females; LGBTQIA persons; and persons with disabilities to apply to available positions.