2025-2026 Writer's Studio: Style, Voice and Revision Instructor

CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS•Chicago, IL

18d•$45 - $55

About The Position

The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts ®) develops the next generation of artistically gifted, diverse scholar artists through intensive pre-professional training in the arts, combined with a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. The school approaches the development of students through a whole-student approach and through a continuous learning environment for all staff to continuously develop their understanding of our scholar-artists. We strive to build upon and improve our practices to make sure we are always serving all of our students to the best of our abilities. Writer’s Studio is a junior-level class that emphasizes the writer’s stylistic choices, use of voice and revision. The course will encourage students to investigate and discover how their styles and voices contribute to the effect and meaning of their work. Instruction in Writer’s Studio will focus on the following: The Studio will emphasize aspects of writing (particularly Creative Nonfiction) through mini-lessons, exercises, and experiences. Students will be given significant time to write during each Studio, and frequent individual coaching sessions will guide students through the writing process and address individual needs. Students will workshop their pieces. They will read each other’s work and provide supportive, constructive, and clear feedback. Additional lessons will be given based on trends and patterns in student work. Students will develop ideas and new pieces based on individual interest and experiences. The ideal candidate for this position is a versatile and experienced artistic writer with the passion and skills to create a learning environment that will offer a rigorous pre-professional arts training. Candidates should have previous experience working with and instructing high school-age students. The instructor of this course will center the curriculum on developing critical thinking, production, and presentation skills. Instructors at ChiArts are committed to upholding antiracism, restorative practices, and community values. Instructors will be required to differentiate instruction when designing lesson and unit plans that assess student achievement, and encourage skill development and critical thinking. Writer’s Studio: Style, Voice and Revision: A three-hour class takes place on Fridays from 2:00 – 5:00 pm. This is a year-long course.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
Minimum (3) years of professional experience in creative writing or a course-related field
Minimum (3) years of previous teaching experience at a pre-professional or professional level, preferably in the content area.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent curriculum development skills
Excellent classroom management ability

Nice To Haves

Prior experience teaching high school students is strongly preferred.
Illinois State Teacher Licensure is preferred, but may not be required

Responsibilities

Embrace and promote the ChiArts vision, mission, educational approach, goals, and core values
Prepare structured lessons that encourage and foster skill development, critical thinking, applications, and ethics.
Instruct conservatory-level courses, serving students with various learning styles, abilities, and needs.
Employ outstanding classroom management skills and implement the school code of conduct.
Regularly assess student achievement, skill mastery, and career development skills.
Submit unit plans on a timely basis
Manage classroom administration and record keeping, including: grades, attendance records, student progress, and documentation of student work.
Regularly communicate with students, parents, and other ChiArts staff to share artistic progress, encourage positive behavior, and resolve behavioral and artistic issues.
Attend and participate in faculty and administrative meetings, parent conferences, open house, other school functions, and in-service professional development sessions.
Collaborate with the staff to develop “best practices” tailored to the unique philosophy and instructional approach of ChiArts and to the needs of its student population.
Collaborate with other ChiArts artistic and academic faculty and the larger arts community.
Perform other duties as the needs of the school and the needs of the students may demand (e.g., competitions, readings).
Work with academic staff to ensure students’ overall success at ChiArts.