Notes to myself 6

This is a job profile that is waiting to be filled in my company. 
I am looking to hire 4-5 people for the role of content developer for the Book Lovers' Program for Schools. 


Find below the details.

1) The job involves developing lesson modules in English for a communication program for classes 1st - 8th standard. - The idea of the program is to develop better comprehension, communication and creative thinking abilities in children through story telling, book reading, class discussions, writing and art. 

2) These modules are meant for English teachers in schools. They will use these lessons to take classes for their children.

3) Typically, you are expected to read a lot (both online & offline) of children's books and research online about latest teaching techniques and come up with lesson plans based on your reading. Once you have a clear picture of what the lesson is supposed to achieve, (for eg, a lesson based on the popular children's story of Emperor's New Clothes for class 1 would involve a story telling session, followed by reading the book, and then an interactive session about human qualities such as pride and folly and honesty and vanity and clothes and all that, followed by maybe a small skit or a drawing exercise), you should make the lesson module (Title, Overview, Objective, No of classes, material required, class description, Additional Info, etc) 

4) Once the lesson module is made, you have to edit it for punctuation, grammar, spelling etc. You need to make sure that the language is of a good standard like that of a  textbook. 

5) Then the lesson module is "tested" - You teach the same lesson for children in one of the schools we work with. And based on your experience you modify the lesson. You may choose to add a little gist of your personal experience - What worked and what didn't as a guideline for teachers who will be using it later. 

6) A tried and tested module is then added to the package which is then sent off to various schools. A module needn't be only about books or storytelling. Any children's game or a theatre game with a learning quotient can also become a module (Eg, one of our modules is the freeze frame exercise which is a standard game in an intro to theatre workshop)

7) If you have a background in theatre and teaching, you will also be sent to conduct workshops and orientation program in schools for teachers and to take demo classes for children. 

8) we also plan to conduct regular brainstorming sessions with experienced teachers and theatre professionals.

Additional Info

- It is a full time job. You are expected to put in 45 hours a week (approx 9hrs X 5days a week)

- Our office is inside the IIT Madras campus. It's a lovely place to work. 

- This is a new venture of a two year old company. We are in the process of putting together a team of 4-5 content developers.

These are the important questions that I have for you. 

a) Do you like reading a lot of books?

b) Do you have a good command over the English language?

c) Are you comfortable with computers, internet and word processors (MS word, Open Office etc)?

d) Do you like children?

e) Do you have an opinion about the current school education system in India?

Please think about these and if you are interested in the job profile please send me a copy of your resume and give me a call and we can arrange a meeting sometime this week.

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This would be the perfect opportunity for anyone who wants to work with kids, or who wants to make a career out of writing for children (or otherwise), or teaching, or working with children, or working in the field of education. 

Why?

a) there is a vast exposure to children's literature. You get access to and as part of your job you will read a whole lot of stories, books, novels, textbooks etc aimed at children. There is no better way to learn about kids than reading what's meant for them. 

b) You will write a lot. You will have to understand how stories work. You will learn, by reading and writing stories, what works with kids and what doesn't. 

c) You will get to interact with a lot of kids. And you know the best thing about kids? They are brutally honest. If they don't like you or if you are boring, they will not hesitate to let you know about it. And if they like you, you will be the happiest person on earth. Their affection is therapeutic. 

d) You will work in a free and nourishing environment, surrounded by books, surrounded by trees, surrounded by learning, surrounded by like-minded nice warm hearted people. 

Sure, I am just starting off, and this is a venture that can go both ways depending on circumstances. But, I believe in it. I have faith that we will do well, I have faith that we will grow big. We have a sound business plan, good amount of funding, and most importantly our intentions are good. 

End of hard-sell.

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There is absolutely no reason for me to hard sell this job profile. This is literally a dream job for a whole lot of people. And the pay is pretty good too. 

I think I had someone in mind when i started typing this out. Someone who once told me "I want to be a children's writer one day". I am sure this person is going to make it, too. 

It's just ironical that I get to write for kids, before she does. And that I am pursing a career which will, god willing, actually have a positive impact on a lot of children's lives. And a career in writing for children would be a natural progression for me, after this. 

Hahahahahahaha. 

Wish me luck.