EOU/Fishtrap Student Teachers

Fishtrap and the EOU MFA program are pleased to collaborate on a modest fellowship to develop and nurture teachers of creative writing. This opportunity is open to all EOU MFA students, whether they have just entered the program or are going into their thesis year. Up to six student teachers will be selected in alternate years, with the second selection anticipated in the summer of 2024.

The fellowship consists of focused creative writing pedagogy training in a 1-credit creative writing practicum (WR 609) in the fall term following the selection of a new cohort of student teachers. As part of the class, students develop a multi-day online workshop (3-6 hours total) that they ultimately pitch to Fishtrap and, pending refinement and approval, teach as a virtual Fishtrap Writing Workshop. Fellows are compensated at a $200 base rate plus $30 per teaching hour, with a minimum enrollment required for the course to go forward.

Fellows that teach a successful Fishtrap workshop as demonstrated by enrollment and/or evaluations may be invited by Fishtrap to pitch additional workshops in future years.

The creative writing pedagogy practicum satisfies the program practicum requirement and is open to all students. This mini-course is about three hours of work per week, and includes a few evening Zoom sessions. It reviews creative writing pedagogy, helps students develop materials (a workshop pitch/description, lesson plans, prompts, etc.), and provides opportunities for demoing lessons in front of a small group via Zoom.

Application for the fellowship is a one- or two-page letter that describes teaching interest, experience (not required), and any emerging teaching philosophy, as well as a CV or basic resume. A critical writing sample or craft essay is optional. A committee of MFA faculty members will review applications. Applications should be emailed as Word documents or PDFs to nneely@eou.edu.

Please check back for the next deadline for applications and timeline for decision in summer 2024.

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We’re excited that the initial class of EOU/Fishtrap Student Teachers is Jensen Heike, Becky Murray, Christopher Densmore, and Alexis Reid. See below for their workshops as they’re scheduled and click on the images to be taken to the registration page (while it’s live):