Writers’ Room Slam Poetry Coach at John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Sc

826 Boston seeks a dynamic and experienced spoken word poet to serve as the Slam Poetry Coach for the Writers’ Room at the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science (O’B). This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in developing writers and performers in grades 9-12. This role would start September 22, 2026 and end May 27, 2027, with the possibility for renewal next school year. There is a mid-year break from December 21, 2026–January 1, 2027. 826 Boston serves students in the Boston Public Schools (BPS) district through its innovative Writers’ Room program. The O’B is a 7th-12th grade school in Roxbury with more than 1,500 students. It is one of three college preparatory public exam schools in Boston, which means that students must pass an admissions test or meet specific criteria to be admitted.

Mission
826 Boston is a nonprofit writing, tutoring, and publishing organization where students in grades K-12 and beyond can share their stories, amplify their voices, and develop as leaders in school and in life.

Responsibilities
The Slam Poetry Coach will work 6 hours a week. Regular in-person hours are required. Applicants must be residing in Massachusetts and able to commute to the in-person location listed below, before the role starts.

In-Person Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 12:30-3:30 PM

In-Person Location: John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, 55 Malcolm X Blvd, Roxbury, MA 02120

There is a potential hybrid schedule during school breaks

Provide support at select events, including nights and weekends on rare occasions

Plan and lead hour-long high school Slam Poetry Club meetings in person on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons

Write biweekly lesson plans, approved by the Writers’ Room Manager ahead of time, to support student artists with strengthening their writing, performance, and public speaking skills

Prepare a team of four-six high schoolers to compete at Mass Poetry’s annual Teen Spoken Word Festival in March

Build rapport with youth and nurture a safe community where students of all backgrounds feel supported and comfortable expressing themselves artistically

Give constructive, strengths-based feedback to students on their writing and performance that pushes them to grow

Track club attendance on program-wide spreadsheet

Communicate Slam Poetry Club progress to the Writers’ Room Manager, during but not limited to weekly one‑on‑one meetings, and seek counsel when help is needed to execute goals for student artists

Plan, advertise, and/or chaperone in‑school open mic and out‑of‑school performance opportunities

Oversee rehearsals with students for in‑school and community performances, such as events hosted by 826 Boston and other local partner organizations

Cultivate, maintain, and connect students with a network of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and local artists

Along with the Writers’ Room Manager, act as an 826 Boston representative for Edvestors, a school improvement organization that funds our Slam Poetry Coach role; this includes responding to emails from the partner organization, attending two virtual meetings annually, and submitting fall and spring rosters

Track weekly student progress in preparation to grade student artists during the spring semester for the Edvestors High School Credit‑Bearing Program

Qualifications
The ideal candidate is a team player with a steadfast commitment to improving the quality of K‑12 education, including adopting antiracist/anti‑oppressive approaches, a desire to work in a collaborative and inclusive culture, and a passion for youth empowerment through writing and publishing.

826 Boston recognizes that impostor syndrome and the confidence gap might prevent some applicants from applying. Few candidates will have all of the relevant experience listed below, but 826 Boston is committed to assessing candidates with transferable skills and a willingness to be trained for this role.

2+ years as a slam poet

Some experience tutoring, teaching, or coaching middle and/or high school students

High school diploma

Ability to build genuine and responsive relationships/community with a diverse group of students and embrace values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to prioritize responsibilities, manage your time, and take ownership of projects

Familiarity with the Boston Public Schools system, particularly the schools in Roxbury

Experience with Google Suite and digital platforms, including Zoom, Google Classroom, and Google Meet, is helpful but not required

Compensation

6 hours per week, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30‑3:30 PM, at $22 per hour

This is a non‑exempt, part‑time, temporary position that reports to the Writers’ Room Manager. 826 Boston is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a multicultural organization. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Accommodations
826 Boston provides reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities at every stage of the application process. Disclosing a disability or requesting a need for accommodations is a separate process from admissions and will have absolutely no bearing on a candidate’s application status. 826 Boston will make every effort to meet your request, but specific requests are not guaranteed. If you need to request an accommodation, please contact Catherine Gomez at hr@826boston.org.

Equal Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
At 826 Boston, we honor and actively work toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across our organization. We are committed to centering the voices of the students who we serve, to creating inclusive spaces, and to incorporating feedback from our community into our decision‑making processes. Our DEI lens is always evolving through the courageous conversations in which we participate and the relationships that we build through our work and service. We strengthen our cultural competency through experience, training, and feedback, which informs the development of all new organizational practices and goals and the evaluation of all existing procedures.

#J-18808-Ljbffr