PEN/Faulkner is seeking writers to join our Education Programs team as one of three Writers in Residence.
Writers in Residence serve as teaching artists who primarily (a) collaborate closely with an educator to create dynamic writing lessons integrated into classroom curriculum and (b) teach in-person writing workshops to that educator’s students. Writers in Residence receive direct professional experience in arts education with support and oversight from PEN/Faulkner’s Director of Education Programs. This is a seasonal contractor position.
There are three Writers in Residence opportunities for School Year 2022-23.
Responsibilities
- Lead 12 writing workshops in a DC public or public charter school, with an emphasis on working with low-income populations and students who primarily identify as Black or Latinx. This requires independent travel to/from the school in Washington, DC.
- Plan, develop, and write lesson plans in collaboration with the classroom educator and in alignment with that educator’s curriculum goals, using culturally relevant and contemporary texts and reference points. (No DWM writers, please!)
- Lead in-class writing workshops.
- Incorporate classroom educator feedback into lesson plans and lesson delivery.
- Provide one-on-one verbal and written feedback on student writing.
- Collect data on student attendance, engagement, and concerns; share this information with the Director of Education Programs within 3 days of each workshop.
- Participate in occasional 30-minute check-in meetings with the Director of Education Programs.
Available 2022-23 Residencies
- Middle school (grade 6) — Model the creative process and offer inspiration to struggling readers/writers through a variety of lessons integrating short texts and writing activities. An openness to all writing genres—poetry, fiction, nonfiction—is preferred, with a particular interest in someone who can teach narrative nonfiction. Expected number of students: 15.
Commitment: 12 biweekly, 45-minute sessions; September 2022 – December 2022; weekday and class time TBD (educator will have schedule in mid-August) - High School (grade 10) — Inspire students’ writing by building relationships and leveraging creative ideas in an elective called “Writing Home,” which focuses on the narratives of contemporary Latinx writers in America. A clear genre direction—whether in poetry, fiction, or narrative nonfiction—is required. Additional requirements: dependable, patient, able to reinforce strategies and techniques of good writers. Must have Spanish language skills or be a Spanish speaker. Expected number of students: 35.
Commitment: 12 biweekly, 60-minute sessions, October 2022 – March 2023; weekday and class time(s) TBD (educator will have schedule in August). - High School (grade 12) — Support and mentor youth journalists with clarity, precision, and idea development for articles and editorials in an elective journalism club. A journalism background is required. Expected number of students: 10.
Commitment: 12 biweekly, 60-minute sessions, either September 2022 – December 2022 OR January 2023 – April 2023; weekday and class time TBD (educator will have schedule in August).
The ideal candidate will:
- Have an established creative practice and ability to deliver skills-based creative writing lessons to youth.
- Possess a willingness and excitement to work with young people on a long-term project.
- Have strong collaboration skill are a must.
- Be adaptable and demonstrate flexibility to changing classroom needs.
- Be adept at receiving and incorporating feedback.
- Have experience working with youth and/or other community work, preferably with Black, Latinx, immigrant, and/or low-income populations.
- Beable to travel independently to their assigned school in Washington, DC for in-person programming.
- Embrace creative risk-taking and “failure” throughout the creative process.
- Adhere to deadlines for sharing lesson plans and data collection.
Candidates are required to pass a state-mandated background check. Depending on the school partner, this may include a drug/alcohol test. All candidates must be able to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination and updated boosters prior to beginning work and entering schools.
Writers in Residence receive:
- An opportunity to develop and deliver creative writing workshops to young people in an immersive and collaborative public school partnership.
- A supportive experience in arts education with under-served and marginalized young people at a renowned literary nonprofit.
- Free tickets to PEN/Faulkner’s Literary Conversations and the PEN/Malamud Award ceremony
- $2,400 paid in two installments
How to Apply
Submit a resume demonstrating your experience with young people/community populations; a brief statement on your approach to working with youth; and the residency or residencies for which you would like to be considered. Send your application materials to [email protected] with “Writer in Residence” in the subject line.
Top candidates will be required to give a creative writing lesson demonstration via Zoom. Final candidates will be required to participate in an educator meet & greet on Wednesday, August 24 from 4:30pm – 5:30pm.
Applications will be accepted until August 7, 2022 at midnight EST.
About PEN/Faulkner
The PEN/Faulkner Foundation celebrates literature and fosters connections between readers and writers to enrich and inspire both individuals and communities.
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.