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There are 2 very simple steps for submitting your application. Step 1: Choose the appropriate, editable pdf application below and save it to your computer's hard drive. PLEASE NOTE: When saving the file to your hard drive you must create a new file name for the application that you’ve downloaded. For instance: "yourname_teacher_application.pdf" or "yourname_staff_application.pdf." Once you have saved the file to your hard drive with the new file name please fill it out completely. Step 2: Upload your completed application, with the new file name (example: "yourname_teacher_application.pdf" or "yourname_staff_application.pdf"), to our secure web server by clicking here.

PROGRAM: Arts in Education Program
Title: Creative Writing Teaching Artist
Specialty Areas: Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Playwriting
Location: Brooklyn
Reports to: Arts in Education Program Associate

Organizational Mission:
Ifetayo’s mission is to prepare young people and their families for all aspects of their lives through comprehensive and holistic programs that help to empower them to become self-sufficient, productive adults who are actively engaged in the improvement of their communities. This mission is carried out as we work to achieve the five primary objectives of the organization which are:

1. to develop cultural awareness and self-esteem by exposing youth and families to traditional African artistic forms and their evolution into contemporary cultures;
2. to provide youth, families and communities of African descent with the tools required to become self-sufficient and to transcend challenges that are perpetuated across generations;
3. to support youth, families and communities of African descent to reach their optimum potential by attaining a harmonious balance between the mind, body, and spirit and through proper nutrition, exercise, and cultural awareness;
4. to create leaders for local neighborhoods and international communities, and
5. to develop, document and disseminate a comprehensive, African-centered approach to youth and community development.

Program Summary:
Ifetayo’s Arts in Education Program is designed to provide Acting, Creative Writing, Visual Arts, Dance, and Music instruction through vital and engaging interdisciplinary arts education, tutorials, peer and adult mentoring for New York City Board of Education public schools. Ifetayo provides ancillary services by working with school administrators, teachers, youth, parent associations and other community-based organizations. The program combines and utilizes resources to create a holistic community that encourages youth and family development and directly addresses challenges identified by the school community. The objective is to collectively plan, implement, coordinate, expand, and integrate educational services. The program provides linkages to both National and New York State academic and artistic standards, tools for teacher motivation and skill development and improves parent involvement and support.

Position Description:
The Creative Writing teaching artist will be responsible for creating, implementing and developing a creative writing curriculum and related activities for youth, teachers and parents in an in-school Arts in Education Program. The Creative Writing teaching artist will be a part of a multidisciplinary team that will work with the youth and coordinate a wide range of group and individualized arts activities.

Key Responsibilities
Essential duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Responsible for the development of creative writing curriculum and lesson plans appropriate for youth enrolled in the Creative Writing Program
• Curriculum is to include an introduction to the history of creative writing and its connection and relatedness to the African Diaspora
• Curriculum is to include a basis introduction to all the elements of creative writing and as a tool for public speaking
• Curriculum is to include basic elements of creative writing that are age appropriate and incorporate English language arts standards
• Utilize creative writing for academic development while enhancing writing skills and an appreciation for creative writing as an art form
• Teach problem solving techniques through creative writing, as it relates to every day life
• Utilize creative writing as the vehicle, to encourage critical and creative thinking to help build self-esteem
• Activities should result in concrete outcomes such as poems, acts, dramatic expression that will be displayed in some type of venue such as an exhibition, poetry slam, performance and in the program’s end of session events etc.
• Activities are to include creating, performing and responding to works of creative writing and include the learning standards for the arts as well as incorporate the English language arts standards
• Maintain a safe working environment in workshops and classes at all times
• Submit monthly progress reports on our state of the art electronic evaluation module on students in which you evaluate the implementation of related goals and children’s assessment of related activities
• Submit daily attendance record to the Program Associate
• Submit written anecdotal observations of significant interactions with students and parent to the Program Associate on as needed basis
• Submit invoices in a timely manner (invoices are due the 1st day of the month)
• Work with classroom teachers and provide professional development workshops for participating teachers which incorporate innovative teaching strategies that utilize the arts
• Provide along with the Arts in Education teaching artist staff parent workshops that utilize the arts to provide strategies to aid parents with their child’s learning
• As a member of the Ifetayo educational team, assist in the overall planning and implementation of program policy
• Work closely with the production team and attend all required staff events and meetings as requested.
• Be available and present at all rehearsals, dress rehearsal and end of session presentations

• Strong interest in youth development and developing youth through the arts
• Bachelor’s degree, Bachelors in Fine Arts or significant demonstrated experience in theatre arts
• Significant demonstrated experience in creative writing
• Background as a practicing writer, with a minimum of two years teaching experience in school’s and/or community based programs in youth development
• Strong interpersonal skills, an ability to relate to diverse populations and work with both management and direct service staff
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Good organizing, planning, and presentation skills

You must act as if it is impossible to fail.

Ashanti proverb