Writers in Service: An American Tradition

WritersCorps teaching artists carry on a strong tradition of American writers serving their communities. Learn more in this 6-minute video.

Become a WritersCorps Teacher

WritersCorps offers low-income youth opportunities to write, publish and perform through workshops and events. WritersCorps teaching artists serve up to 3 years, are part of a group that meets often, receive extensive professional development training, and are paid summers for teaching-related writing projects.

What WritersCorps Teaching Artists Do

In addition to teaching classes, teaching artists work collaboratively to:

  • Design and implement creative writing curriculum tailored to specific youth populations
  • Help develop publications featuring student writing
  • Provide tutoring and create other site-based programs
  • Document and evaluate WritersCorps’ impact within its communities
  • Create and support city-wide youth events and performances

Requirements

Applicants must have at minimum:

  • 2 years teaching literary arts to youth (ages 6-22)
  • 1 year of community work with communities in need
  • Evidence of literary accomplishment
  • BA or experiential equivalent

Compensation

$25.00 per hour plus health care allowance for up to 28 hours per week

Time Commitment

  • Teaching artists serve for up to 3 years
  • Schedules are variable, depending on the sitesĀ  (in-school, after-school, etc)
  • Teaching artists work an average of 25 hours a week
  • Teaching artists attend 3-hour staff meetings twice a month, as well as a monthly professional development class

Application Timeline

WritersCorps teaching artists applications are available in May. The new positions will start in the fall of 2009, pending funding. Applications are due June 1, 2009.

Please note this is not a postmark deadline. The application must arrive in our office by June 1, whether through the mail or dropped off in person.

Download the application.

Jump Write In!

Jump shadow

At last, a collection of lesson plans created by WritersCorps and now available for same from Jossey-Bass. Edited by Judith Tannenbaum and Valerie Chow Bush, Jump Write In! represents more than 10 years of creative writing exercises developed by our teachers with great model poems by WritersCorps youth.

See the Table of Contents
Read a sample chapter: Icebreakers and Opening Games

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