Teaching Artist with Puppeteering Background (Middle and High School Youth)

Locations: TBD

Age Group: Middle School – High School Youth (6-12th grade)

Period: 2 days a week for 2.5 hours a day, per site

Start: January 2025 – End: June 2025

Working Hours: 5 hours a week + 10 hours of planning at a rate of $40/hour, per site

Program description

The Michaels Daughter Foundation is seeking a qualified Teaching Artist and Puppeteer for an exciting new workshop that will partner with Los Angeles County charter and continuing education schools to provide a unique and empowering experience to teens and young adults.

Company Description

Founded by Actress Ciera Payton, The Michael’s Daughter Foundation strives to create an inclusive and nurturing environment where artists can inspire and empower young minds through their creativity. If you believe your expertise aligns perfectly with our mission, we would like to invite you for an interview to further discuss your qualifications and the opportunity to contribute to our organization.

Responsibilities

• Co-direct Middle School and High School Youth students to create short films with puppets
• Develop and create engaging lesson plans with provided theme
• Gather attendance and participation data
• Teach 2 classes per week for 16 weeks, per site
• Attend virtual bi-weekly and monthly team meetings
• Conduct theater games and improvisation to creatively engage students
• Deliver education and community engagement programs
• Collaborate effectively with team members
• Be available for the Culminating Screening Event (June 2025)

Preferred Qualifications

• Must have reliable transportation to travel to and from school sites in Los Angeles and Van Nuys
• Minimum 2 years of Teaching Artist experience
• At least 3 years of experience as a puppeteer
• Has taught in a school setting and is sensitive to school cultures, neurodivergence, and diverse populations
• Passionate about empowering learners of all ages as creators, and critical thinkers
• Has strong verbal and written communication skills; can guide in-depth discussions; is open to feedback
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) 
• Scriptwriting/creative writing experience in short film format 
• Filmmaking skills 
• Well-organized with strong creative instincts
• Passionate about social justice, prison reform, education reform, and the power of storytelling

Benefits
– Pay: $40.00 per hour
– Flexible hours (up to 5 hours a week)

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume, a link to your portfolio, 3 references, and a brief cover letter explaining your interest in this position and your experience both as a puppeteer and working with youth to info@michaelsdaughter.org and assist@michaelsdaughter.org.