Lead Teacher - Young Writers & Leaders

Lead Teacher - Young Writers & Leaders
Job Description

Hours: Full-time 40 hours/week

Supervisory Responsibility: No
Reports to: Program Director
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
Location: Portland, occasional travel

Position Overview

As a core member of The Telling Room program staff, the Lead Teacher - Young Writers and Leaders (YWL) is an educator with experience designing, planning, and implementing high-quality literary arts programming. They are experienced working with youth with international and multicultural backgrounds. The Lead Teacher - YWL is responsible for developing the curriculum, coordinating the administration, and teaching of the YWL program, a free afterschool literary arts program for international and multicultural high school students, and co-teaching in additional Telling Room programs as specified below.

Primary YWL Duties and Responsibilities:

The Program Lead - YWL performs a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:

• Develop and organize curriculum, leading the YWL program in collaboration with the Alumni Director as co-teacher, which includes: Two Academic Year YWL weekly cohorts, YWL School Break Camp, and YWL Summer Camp
• Manage program recruitment from initial contact with feeder school principals, teachers, and administrators throughout the recruitment events and application process
• Maintain relationships with community collaborators and forums such as Portland Public Schools’ superintendent and assistant superintendent, Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, and Immigrant Youth Working Group
• Plan the following events: Poetry Reading & Book Launch
• Volunteer recruitment, relationship management, and coordination of writing coaches, including planning and executing writing coach training
• Responsible for all program communications with: students, families, schools (administrators, guidance counselors, educators)
• Manage and maintain all paperwork, including contracts, permissions, registration, and roster -Manage program budget

Program Team Responsibilities:
- Teach one non-YWL summer camp
- As a core member of the program staff, support in the development of periodic trainings and retreats
- Support and/or co-lead afterschool and in-school programs

Requirements

Qualifications Required

Experience

• 2 years of relevant experience in a related field, such as Arts Education, Writing, and Creative Youth Development
• 1 year of experience working with multicultural and/or international youth in an educational setting

Computer Skills
- Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Word
- Knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Demonstrated success in youth program management
- Demonstrated ability in practicing and teaching creative writing
- Demonstrated ability to plan and execute events
- Demonstrated ability to manage long-term, complex projects

Preferred

Experience

• 4 years of relevant experience that includes significant leadership and administrative experience

Knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Demonstrated understanding of best practices for youth development

Application Instructions

To apply, please complete this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSek8864Ua8nh1O89dWGBZTVNawOJQOsT_KZtk3c48mt-bJxtQ/viewform

In lieu of a cover letter, please answer the questions provided. You will be prompted to upload your resume and a list of three references at the end of the form. Please email writers@tellingroom.org with questions. No phone calls, please.

Application Deadline: They will review applications submitted through March 27, 2026 or until the position is filled.