Filmmaking Teacher (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward.

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Filmmaking Teacher (Volunteer)

PromiseStudios | Filmmaking Education, Storytelling & Creative Media Learning

Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division PromiseStudios

Location Remote / Hybrid (NYC Collaboration as Needed)

Type Volunteer Educational & Creative Role

Reports To Chief of Content & Storytelling, Sabrina

Works Closely With PromiseStudios Creative Teams, Film & Media Teams, Educational Leadership, Creative Volunteers, and Youth Programming Teams

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, and creative opportunity.

At MAP, storytelling is not simply entertainment.

It is expression, memory, imagination, and a pathway toward confidence and voice.

Within PromiseStudios, filmmaking becomes more than production—it becomes visual storytelling, creative collaboration, digital literacy, and an opportunity for young people to tell stories that matter.

About PromiseStudios | Creative Storytelling, Film & Media

PromiseStudios is MAP’s creative media and storytelling division responsible for filmmaking, animation, podcasting, publishing, photography, visual storytelling, educational media, and creative production.

The division creates spaces where young people and creatives can explore

• Storytelling
• Film and media production
• Creative collaboration
• Visual communication
• Multimedia learning
• Artistic identity
• Professional creative growth
  
  

PromiseStudios helps transform imagination and lived experience into meaningful creative work.

Role Overview

Mentor A Promise is seeking a passionate and collaborative Filmmaking Teacher to support students and creative volunteers through engaging, trauma-informed filmmaking education and creative mentorship.

This role focuses not only on introducing filmmaking fundamentals, but also on helping strengthen and elevate the skills of MAP’s growing creative community.

We are seeking educators who can help filmmakers

• Develop storytelling ability
• Strengthen technical production skills
• Explore cinematic language
• Learn creative and professional workflows
• Build confidence in media creation and visual storytelling
  
  

The Filmmaking Teacher works closely with PromiseStudios teams to create learning experiences that are

• Joyful
• Accessible
• Encouraging
• Collaborative
• Professionally enriching
  
  

This is a creative education and media development role focused on filmmaking, storytelling, and long-term creative growth.

Core Responsibilities

Filmmaking Education & Creative Instruction

Teach and support

• Filmmaking fundamentals
• Story structure and visual storytelling
• Camera basics and cinematography
• Directing and scene development
• Editing fundamentals
• Audio and visual production concepts
• Creative film exercises and production projects
  
  

Help create engaging and accessible filmmaking learning experiences.

Storytelling & Media Development

Guide and support

• Student film projects
• Short-form and creative media production
• Narrative and documentary storytelling
• Visual communication
• Collaborative filmmaking practices
• Creative problem-solving and production planning
  
  

Help filmmakers understand how stories can be communicated through image, sound, and movement.

Artist Development & Creative Mentorship

Support

• Developing filmmakers and creative volunteers
• Portfolio and reel development
• Creative experimentation
• Artistic confidence-building
• Constructive creative feedback
• Individual and collaborative media projects
  
  

Provide mentorship that strengthens both artistic vision and technical growth.

Film Tools & Industry Learning

Introduce and support learning involving

• Cameras and production equipment
• Editing software and post-production workflows
• Storyboarding and planning tools
• Filmmaking workflows
• Industry practices and evolving media tools
• Creative production processes
  
  

Help filmmakers grow through exposure to professional and emerging media practices.

Professional Development & Creative Growth

Support a culture of continuous creative learning by helping

• Expand filmmaking and storytelling skills
• Explore workshops and guest learning opportunities
• Encourage portfolio and creative identity development
• Identify pathways toward training, certifications, and continued film education when available
• Foster curiosity, experimentation, and long-term creative practice
  
  

At MAP, learning continues beyond the classroom and project space.

Creative Collaboration & Production Support

Collaborate closely with

• PromiseStudios film and media teams
• Storytelling and creative production teams
• Educational leadership
• Creative volunteers
• Youth programming staff
  
  

Support filmmaking projects connected to

• MAP storytelling initiatives
• Educational media
• Creative campaigns
• Youth-led storytelling
• Mission-centered visual media
  
  

Qualifications

We welcome applicants from diverse creative and filmmaking backgrounds.

Helpful experience may include

• Filmmaking
• Video production
• Cinematography
• Editing
• Documentary or narrative film
• Media production
• Digital storytelling
• Arts or media education
  
  

Strong candidates often demonstrate

• Creativity and storytelling ability
• Communication and mentorship skills
• Collaboration and patience
• Passion for media and youth development
• Commitment to accessible and trauma-informed learning practices
  
  

Experience with filmmaking tools and editing platforms is highly valued.

Why This Role Matters

Film gives motion to story and voice to experience.

This role helps young people—and the creatives who support them—grow not only as filmmakers, but as storytellers, collaborators, and creative thinkers.

At MAP, we are building media spaces where

• Talent is nurtured
• Skills are strengthened
• Confidence is developed
• Stories are honored
• Opportunity continues to expand
  
  

Filmmaking can help young people see themselves not only as participants in stories—but as creators of them.

Commitment

Volunteer educational and creative role

Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Minimum 6-month Commitment Required

Remote / hybrid collaboration

US-based volunteers only

Responsive communication through MAP systems

48-hour communication expectation

Participation in MAP onboarding and safeguarding processes

What You’ll Gain

• Experience teaching and mentoring within a mission-driven creative environment
• Opportunity to help shape filmmaking education and media development initiatives
• Collaboration with storytellers, educators, filmmakers, and creative teams
• Portfolio-building educational and creative leadership experience
• Meaningful impact supporting youth storytelling and creative media expression
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
  
  

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and submit

• Resume
• Portfolio, reel, or filmmaking work samples
• Brief statement of interest
  
  

Please share experience involving

• Filmmaking or media production
• Creative education or mentorship
• Storytelling or editing
• Youth engagement or teaching
  
  

Help bring stories to life through PromiseStudios.

Because film, imagination, and creative expression can help young people see futures worth creating.

This role holds the pieces together.

From storytelling to mentorship to creative growth—help ensure every filmmaker is supported before they create.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.