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

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. 

The O’B was the site of the first 826 Boston Writers’ Room, which opened in 2013. Modelled off of university writing centers, the Writers’ Room runs academic and creative writing programs, one of which is the after-school Slam Poetry Club. 

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

Responsibilities: 

• 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.

Skills and experiences:

• 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. 

How to Apply

Please include why you are interested in 826 Boston and how your experience has prepared you for this position in your cover letter. The priority application deadline for this position is June 12, 2026. After that date, applications will be considered on a rolling basis. It is in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.

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.

826 Boston 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.

826 Boston is dedicated to providing a platform for student advocacy through writing and publishing opportunities. In our work and mission, we are committed to dismantling white supremacy culture by recognizing that we are complicit in systems of racism and oppression. We will work to hold ourselves accountable in addressing these harmful structures and behaviors. 

About Us

826 Boston is part of a national network of youth writing centers, co-founded by the award-winning author Dave Eggers and educator Nínive Calegari, that were named in GOOD Magazine’s “30 Places We Want to Work.” Since opening in 2007, 826 Boston has delivered its free youth writing and tutoring programs to more than 35,000 students and has been recognized by The Boston Globe as one of the best places in the city to volunteer. 826 Boston’s youth writers have published their work in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and in numerous award-winning 826 Boston books, including A Place for Me in the World, which was hailed as a “triumph of middle school education” by The Boston Globe. In 2013, the 826 National network garnered the prestigious American Literacy Prize awarded by the Library of Congress. In 2025, 826 Boston was named one of the Bostonians of the Year for our steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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.