Word for Word (YOuth Arts) - Teaching Artist

Word for Word/Youth Arts at Z Space is a unique arts education program that exposes hundreds of Bay Area students annually to the joys of language and theatre. Teaching artists lead students in transforming fiction or poetry into staged performances in the Word for Word style. By helping youth become better listeners, speakers, and readers, Youth Arts instills a love of language and reading, enhances performance skills, and bolsters confidence and self-esteem in the classroom and beyond.

We are currently hiring Teaching Artists who can teach Text Analysis and Theatre using the Word for Word Technique [for 7th and 8th grade English Language Learners (ELLs), 8th grade English Language Arts (ELA) students, and 10th grade English students] and a Visual Artist to lead a Mural/Set Design project (for 6th grade ELA students). Please see below for more specifics: 

SCHEDULE & RATES

  • Work Hours: Variable 

  • Potential Work Days: Monday-Friday

  • Part-Time (varies from 4-15 hours per week) 

  • $75 per hour instructional rate (and, depending on residency, paid trainings/meetings/ prep hours and/or travel stipends)

POSITION SUMMARY

Teaching Artists work with 4th - 12th grade students in San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, and Sonoma counties teaching a variety of skills including: Text Analysis and Theatre using the Word for Word Technique, Creative Writing, Visual Arts, Dance, Beatboxing, Physical Theatre, Circus Skills, and Puppetry. As representatives of Word for Word Performing Arts and Z Space, Youth Arts Teaching Artists are expected to foster student environments that are welcoming, respectful, inclusive, creative, rigorous, and rewarding. Our Teaching Artists are committed to helping students explore divergent opinions and ideas, while building trust and ensemble. Teaching for Word for Word requires a high level of professionalism and maturity, artistic mastery, and personal accountability.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Communicate reliably and consistently via email, phone, and/or text with Youth Arts Coordinator and fellow Teaching Artists

  • Attend scheduled trainings and meetings with classroom teachers, fellow Teaching Artists, and Youth Arts staff

  • Create curriculum which includes opening circles, games or trust exercises, skill building of performing or visual arts techniques, and reflections or appreciations

  • Set clear, kind, and consistent classroom expectations and boundaries with students 

  • Communicate any concerns regarding individual students, a particular classroom, a classroom teacher, or a fellow teaching artist to the Youth Arts Coordinator 

  • Be a role model of promptness, respect, solidarity, maturity, fairness, creativity, and joy for your students

  • Prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion when choosing performance or visual arts materials. Be culturally sensitive.

  • Take attendance, administer student evaluations, and complete your own evaluations, when asked

  • Submit reimbursable expenses and log prep hours, if applicable, in a timely manner

QUALIFICATIONS

  • A strong commitment to Z Space’s strategic vision and code of conduct and the missions of Word for Word Performing Arts Company and Z Space.

  • A passion for working with young people and dedication to treating them with respect, kindness, and compassion.

  • Experience working with diverse youth populations.

  • Expertise managing classrooms with grace, good humor, flexibility, consistency, patience, maturity, and professionalism.

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills necessary to interact with Youth Arts Director and Coordinator and school administrators, staff, teachers, and students.

  • A cooperative and collaborative approach to working with others.

  • Extensive curriculum building experience.

  • Considerable training in and/or multiple years practicing your art form.

  • Reliable, personal transportation or willingness to take public transportation to schools in San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, and/or Sonoma counties.

  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

  • Proof of negative TB test within the past 4 years.

  • Live Scan.

  • Multilingual, Indigenous people, people of the global majority, and LGBTQQI2S candidates are encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY:
Accepting applications on a rolling basis. To apply, please email a short introductory message and resume to aprosser@zspace.org. Thank you!