Applications closed for Summer 2024! Check back for future opportunities.

Applications closed for Summer 2024! Check back for future opportunities.

Resident Facilitators

Cottonwood’s Resident Facilitator position is our way of keeping the door open to the wonder and diversity of learning that the world contains. Each year, people from different creative and open-minded disciplines engage in an active learning exchange with the Cottonwood community in either of our primary locations: Brooklyn, New York, or Helena, Montana. Resident Facilitators operate as guides and supports of the Cottonwood learning programs and have the opportunity to develop their own personal practice using our facilities. Their period of stay is an opportunity to cultivate and offer elements of their own practice in the Cottonwood space as well as enjoy the cultural and environmental aspects of the location. The position may be paid and offered housing as well as support in exploring the location and developing their work. The expectations of Resident Facilitators vary depending on the applicant and Cottonwood's availability. Examples of Resident Facilitator opportunities include:

Volunteer Facilitator (unpaid)

  • Flexible period available during the school year only.

  • A playmate, space holder, and responsible adult to support the Cottonwood program. 

Teaching Facilitator

  • Two-week immersive learning period available during the school year only.

  • This position is for those with a creative vision to guide a full two-week program. Facilitators propose a two-week immersive unit to explore within the Cottonwood educational frame. 

Summer Camp Facilitator

  • 3/6/9 week period available Summer only

  • In between supporting and teaching positions, for those that are exploring their practice but do not yet feel confident leading a two-week unit.  This position is like the supporting facilitator but with the expectation that facilitators will provide a few offerings of their creative practice in the Cottonwood community.

  • Check out the Resident Facilitator Expectations and FAQ.

    Explore our website to read more about the Cottonwood Community.

    Envision your intentions and activities while in Cottonwood space ( NY/MT or both)  - feel free to jot down some ideas!

    Prepare

    CV (if you have one)

    Description of your creative practice and wishes for the time at Cottonwood.

    Outline of proposed learning unit *for Teaching Facilitator position only.

    Are you a fit? Fill out our online application by the deadline. We are excited to get to know you!

  • Play hard, with intention!

    Cottonwood is a space of curiosity, play, trust, respect, equity, and autonomy. We celebrate the individuality of everyone’s learning journey by creating a mixed-age space with the greater mission to build a community through self-directed learning. We do this through our agile after-school program, adult and organizational programming, community center events, mission-related space rental, and summer camps. We serve and connect two communities: Helena, MT, and Brooklyn, NY.

    We strive to create an environment that is positive and attentive to the whole human. By keeping our class size small, we work to empower individual learners to approach their life with agency and broaden their horizons to identify possibilities based on their unique interests and strengths. Learners and staff alike come to Cottonwood because they seek a place where they can thrive.

    Learning happens everywhere! We intentionally located our educational spaces in places where our cultural and natural landscapes are as much a part of our classroom as the interior spaces of our buildings. As a result, Cottonwood learners can be found interacting with their community every day and helping to create meaningful engagement and connections.

  • Resident Facilitator Expectations

    In Cottonwood Space

    Hold space: Act as a model, space-holder, and mentor to learners in a self-directed learning environment and in intentional culture creation. Facilitators need to be grounded in the perspective of trusting children and committed to fostering curiosity and individual empowerment. Facilitators may be asked to lead check-ins, start and end-of-day reflections, and mediation between learners.

    Assist and support activities: Observe and assist during full-day programming with lead facilitators.

    Collaborate: Actively co-create and engage with staff and students to develop tools and practices to support positive culture creation based on trust, communication, and the practical needs of learners.

    Communicate: Have reliable, honest, and open communication with staff, learners, and parents.

    Co-ordinate and chaperone: Help in planning and coordinating field trips and/or daily adventures.

    Maintain the space: Help in preparing the space for learners and oversee that it is being taken care of by all.

    Be prepared and resourceful: Complete orientation training prior to your arrival. Be open and flexible to any shifts that may arise in your time here.

    Beyond Learning space

    Communicate reminders and updates on Cottonwood activities.

    Participate in feedback and reflection after the facilitation period ends

    Other expectations

    Up to 3 Resident positions are available for 3, 6, or 9-week placements at each location.

    Residents are responsible for getting to and from the location.

    Teaching Facilitators are responsible for administrative and co-ordination tasks during their 2-week module.

    Other expectations

    Up to 3 Resident positions are available for 3, 6, or 9-week placements at each location.

    Residents are responsible for getting to and from the location.

  • Click here to read our FAQ

  • Volunteer Facilitator (unpaid)

    Flexible period available during the school year only.

    A playmate, space holder, and responsible adult to support the Cottonwood program.

    Teaching Facilitator

    Two-week immersive learning period available during the school year only.

    This position is for those with a creative vision to guide a full two-week program. Facilitators propose a two-week immersive unit to explore within the Cottonwood educational frame.

    If interested in either please mention in application process or reach out to know more!

Cottonwood ALC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, or ethnic origin in administration, admission, or any associated activities.

SUMMER 2024 RESIDENTS

Morris McLennan

Morris McLennan is a writer from Chicago, IL. He holds a BFA in Playwriting from DePaul University. He is the recipient of the Zach Helm Endowed Playwriting Scholarship, the Bundschu Award, the DeGroot Foundation Writer of Note award, a Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Individual Artist Project grant, a Robert Chelsey/ Victor Bumbalo Foundation Award, and a Helene Wurlitzer Foundation Residency. morrismclennan.net

Gigi Cammaroto

Gigi Cammaroto (she/they) is a theatre practitioner, yogi, and herbalist working at the intersection of wellbeing & the arts. By blending her array of passions, she hopes to  reconnect us to the stories within, our Earth, and each other. If she’s not making art, you can find her in meditation, climbing a tree, or whipping up a mean salad (but that’s art, too…right?). 

PAST RESIDENTS

CeCelia Ott

CeCelia (she/her/hers) is a recent political science graduate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and is currently working towards a Masters of Public Policy. CeCelia is a lifelong lover of art, whether observing in a museum or working on sculptures, drawings, orphotography. Among many things, she is passionate about advocacy, civic engagement, the environment, history and politics.

Tselote Holley

Tselote is a Visual Artist, graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s in Studio Art (focused in Painting, Drawing, and Ceramics). After graduating she taught art to adults with physical and/or mental disabilities, as well as a group of kids attending a private school. Tselote is very passionate about holding space for people to create from a space of exploration, reflection, and freedom. 

ASH WILLISON

Ash is a theatre-maker, mover, and explorer currently based in Berlin. She continues to explore transposition in creative mediums and processes with movement, writing, images, and storytelling. Her current work includes heading an international artist collective, hosting many a late-night variety show, and touring with her performance partner and emerging theatre company DOGCHILD.

ALEX SHIKE

Alex has been tinkering, designing and making for as long as he can remember. He recently graduated with a degree in engineering from the University of Utah. In search of his next adventure you’ll find Alex with a box of tools, his 3D printer, a pair of trusty orange crocs, and his infectious smile.

M A U R I Z I O A L L A S I A

Maurizio (he/him/his) is a passionate educator from Italy based in Stockholm, aiming to support learners in pursuing their inner talents and passion for knowledge. He loves studying and exploring fields far from where he has always been, he loves tennis and table tennis, international politics, journalism, and discovering and learning about people who have changed and are changing the world.

L U C Y R I E S S

Lucy Riess (she/her/hers) is a native New Yorker currently finishing her last year in drama school. Lucy is passionate about creating a space for young learners to explore, create, and dream big! She approaches facilitating at Cottonwood with many of the tools learned from theater: a sense of play, openness to discovery, and willingness to guide, share and learn each day