Story Works Teaching Fellow

Teaching Fellows with the Story Works program are dedicated to creating safe, supportive spaces where Alaskan youth can explore and share their stories. Fellows guide students through two-week storytelling workshops and help foster connection and self-expression.

The Alaska Humanities Forum is seeking a motivated individual to join the Teaching Fellows team. Fellows collaborate to lead Story Works programming, serve as role models for students, and represent the program and the Forum within the Anchorage School District.

The ideal candidate will have experience with Story Works or similar programming and a passion for education or positive youth development.

About the Alaska Humanities Forum (AKHF):

The Alaska Humanities Forum connects Alaskans through stories, ideas and experiences that inspire understanding and strengthen community. We believe many of the challenges facing our communities are rooted in a lack of connection, understanding, and communication. Using the humanities - literature and storytelling, history, art, music, philosophy, our shared cultural heritage - we design and facilitate experiences that help Alaskans better understand themselves, one another, and the world around them. 

We offer different programming to meet our mission: Community Conversations gather Alaskans with diverse perspectives to talk about challenging issues and build trust; Cultural Competency programs help educators and other people-serving professionals develop culturally responsive practices; Leadership Development programs
cultivate agency and empathetic leadership among community-minded Alaskans; Storytelling programs uplift storytellers and amplify stories that deepen our understanding of ourselves and our state; Youth Empowerment programs support young people in building confident identities, cultural grounding, and supportive networks; and Grants invest in Alaskans’ efforts to strengthen our communities. 

Founded in 1972, the Alaska Humanities Forum is one of 56 state and territorial councils supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities. 

Position Description

Teaching Fellows work collaboratively to lead two-week storytelling workshops in Anchorage School District schools, helping students explore and share their personal stories. Under the supervision of the Youth Program Manager, Fellows build supportive relationships with youth, facilitate workshop activities, and contribute to a safe, inclusive learning environment. The role also involves coordinating with volunteers, preparing workshop materials, and supporting related programming.

Major Areas of Responsibility

• Facilitate two week Story Telling Workshops with the support of other Teaching Fellows and program staff
• Build supportive relationships with students as they explore and share their own stories
• Support volunteer involvement including outreach for Story Coaching days and the general sharing of information related to future volunteer opportunities.  

Additional Responsibilities:

• Support the preparation of necessary workshop materials including student booklets, program promotional materials or student stickers. 
• Support implementation of Story Works essay writing workshops
• Support the creation of a space for youth resilience building, healthy social connections, and strengthening relationships with trusted adults. 

Qualifications:

• Passion for youth storytelling
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to equitable and inclusive practices in youth engagement and education 
• Will be expected to be onsite at Anchorage School District schools. Ability to drive a personal vehicle preferred. 
• Candidates for the position will have a High School Diploma or GED

Keys to Success

• Self-starter who shows initiative and is eager to support youth as they explore their stories
• Professional and able to work in support of youth while also respecting adult-youth boundaries.
• Strong work ethic and ability to multitask.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build trust and maintain relationships with partners and volunteers.

Position Requirements 

This position will occasionally involve transportation of materials (up to 30 lbs) into schools and events. These materials can be placed in a rolling cart for ease of transportation.

Conditions of Employment

Status: Temporary Part-Time

• Flexible schedule depending on programming and individual needs. Expected to average approximately 10 hours per week.
• Ability to satisfactorily pass a background check
• End Date: December 31, 2026
• Compensation: $20 per hour 

Benefits:  Temporary employees are non-exempt employees hired for a specific period of time on an "as needed" basis. A temporary employee will receive only those benefits required by law.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

At the Alaska Humanities Forum, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our employees are critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

Contact for Questions:

For questions about this position, contact Eiden Pospisil at [email protected] or (907)770-8403