Job Description

Animator Teaching Artist (Summer–Fall 2025)

Location: Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, Downey, CA

Position Type: Contract (June – October 2025)

Compensation: $100/hour for instructional time and $50/hour for lesson planning, meetings, and curriculum building (estimated total hours TBD)

About The Michael’s Daughter Foundation (MDF)

The Michael’s Daughter Foundation (MDF) is committed to empowering youth in under-resourced communities through arts education and storytelling, sparking creativity, skill development, and self-expression. Through filmmaking, animation, and puppetry, the Our Stories program nurtures imagination, possibility, and self-empowerment, while fostering an environment that nurtures imagination, possibility, and self-empowerment.

Through our flagship Our Stories program, offered in Title 1 schools and juvenile facilities across Los Angeles, youth are guided by professional teaching artists as they explore filmmaking, animation, puppetry, and screenwriting. Students are encouraged to break free from limiting narratives and develop original stories that reflect their strengths, dreams, and creative voices. Each residency culminates in a community screening where their work is proudly showcased, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment and pride in their artistic journey.

Beyond arts enrichment, MDF provides financial literacy workshops, emergency support, and scholarships, ensuring that participants are equipped both creatively and practically.

Founded in 2013 by actress and educator Ciera Payton, MDF was born from her personal journey growing up with an incarcerated parent. What began as a one-woman show has grown into a movement, rooted in the belief that creativity fosters resilience, self-worth, and community.

At Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, MDF brings this mission to life by guiding incarcerated youth through the art of animation and storytelling. Through structured and imaginative creative expression, participants learn to see new possibilities for themselves and their futures. Our goal is to support their growth through artistic exploration—helping them step into their potential through storytelling, collaboration, and creative skill-building, while ensuring content remains rooted in imagination rather than personal trauma and wounds.

Position Overview

MDF is seeking an Animator Teaching Artist to lead animation residency workshops for incarcerated youth at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. This role involves guiding students through the animation process—from script concept, storyboarding to final production—while fostering a structured and engaging learning environment.

The ideal candidate is passionate about animation, skilled in digital and/or stop-motion techniques, and has experience working with youth in sensitive and structured settings. They work well with co-teachers, understand the importance of rules and regulations and can adapt quickly to changes. They must respect MDF’s mission and LA County Probation guidelines, ensuring the content created focuses on creativity and skill-building rather than personal trauma or life experiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and facilitate engaging animation workshops aligned with MDF’s curriculum.
• Co-teach with a partner instructor, collaboratively developing a script and leading students through the curriculum.
• Track student progress by taking attendance, conducting evaluations (pre, mid, and post-program), and ensuring engagement.
• Manage production logistics , including creating call sheets for VO recording sessions and compiling credit sheets for each film.
• Guide students through the animation process, covering storyboarding, character design, digital tools, and production techniques .
• Edit and animate portions of the final student film as needed to ensure quality and completion.
• Ensure adherence to project timelines , keeping production on track for a smooth film delivery and culminating showcase event.
• Collaborate with MDF staff and LA County Probation officers and leadership to maintain a structured and effective learning environment.
• Uphold MDF’s mission by guiding students toward positive storytelling and imaginative narratives , rather than personal trauma and wounds.
• Maintain professionalism and demonstrate respect in all interactions with students, staff, and probation personnel.
• Attend pre-program curriculum planning sessions and participate in biweekly check-in meetings with MDF staff.
• Follow all LA County Probation regulations and MDF program policies to ensure compliance and program integrity.

Mindfulness & Boundaries: Understanding Your Role

At The Michael’s Daughter Foundation (MDF), our mission is to guide incarcerated youth toward creativity, imagination, and possibility through arts education. This role is about inspiring and equipping students with career technical education (CTE) skills in screenwriting, voice-over acting, sound design, animation, and storytelling , while fostering a positive and enriching experience .

Things to Keep in Mind:

• ✅ Your role is to teach, mentor, and encourage. This program is designed to spark creativity and skill-building , providing students with tools they can use beyond the facility.
• ✅ Engagement requires compassion and boundaries. The youth may dismiss the work at times or resist participation. This role requires a strong, adaptable Teaching Artist who can find creative and exciting ways to capture their attention while maintaining a patient and encouraging approach .
• ✅ The environment can be challenging. Classes take place in common areas (dwelling units) where other activities, organizations, and recreation time may create distractions. The Teaching Artist must be able to stay focused, flexible, and unbothered by the atmosphere , keeping the workshop engaging and on track.
• ✅ The focus is on imaginative storytelling. Students are encouraged to create stories that explore possibility, adventure, and creativity , rather than personal experiences tied to their legal cases.
• ✅ Each student will complete an individual art project after the filmmaking process—such as decorating a large-scale puzzle piece that reflects their identity, dreams, and artistic expression in a meaningful way.
• ✅ Creative and Future-Focused Learning Environment – MDF provides a space for students to develop artistic and technical skills, fostering creativity and personal growth. Our workshops focus on imaginative, forward-looking storytelling rather than campaign-driven content, legal advocacy, policy change, or trauma-focused narratives. Instructors guide students in honing their craft while maintaining a supportive and inspiring atmosphere. MDF operates independently from legal, rehabilitation, or justice reform programs, offering a unique opportunity for students to explore creative expression and industry-relevant skills.

This position is ideal for individuals who are passionate about arts education and understand the importance of uplifting and empowering youth through creativity . It requires a strong and resourceful Teaching Artist who can think on their feet, maintain engagement despite challenges, and stay focused in a dynamic environment . We seek Teaching Artists who can honor the integrity of our mission by providing students with a safe, inspiring, and skill-building experience that allows them to explore new possibilities through the power of storytelling .

Qualifications

• Proficiency in animation techniques (2D, 3D, stop-motion, or digital animation tools such as Toon Boom, Adobe Animate, Blender, etc.).
• Experience teaching animation or media arts to youth (preferably in structured environments like schools, detention centers, or community programs).
• Ability to adapt lesson plans to different learning styles and needs.
• Strong classroom management skills and an understanding of trauma-informed teaching approaches.
• Willingness to undergo background checks, Live Scan fingerprinting, and TB testing, as required by MDF and LA County Probation.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with MDF staff and educators.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in juvenile justice settings or alternative education programs.
• Knowledge of film production and editing tools (Adobe Premiere, After Effects, etc.).
• A passion for social impact and arts education.
• Bilingual: English and Spanish

Compensation & Schedule

• $100/hour (estimated total hours TBD based on final program structure).
• Program runs June – October 2025, including curriculum development, instruction, and meetings.
• Teaching schedule: To be confirmed (sessions typically run during weekday afternoons).

How to Apply

Before applying, please read this job posting in its entirety to ensure you understand the guidelines, responsibilities, and expectations of this role. We are looking for teaching artists who are committed, adaptable, and passionate about using animation as a tool for creativity and empowerment.

To Apply, Please Email info@michaelsdaughter.org with:

• Your resume or CV highlighting relevant experience.
• A cover letter detailing some of your experience in animation education and/or working with youth.
• A link to your animation portfolio or work samples.
• Three references, including their names, contact details, and how you know them.
• (Optional) A brief statement on why you’re interested in working with MDF.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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