Visual Storyteller, Social Studies Lessons - Contract

We are looking for a highly skilled Visual Storyteller, Social Studies Lessons - Contract to curate and create the images, maps, and short animations that make lessons feel relevant, meaningful, and interesting to a K-5 audience. One day you might be tracking down a powerful historical photograph; the next, you’re sketching an illustration that makes an abstract idea concrete. Your work will help kids “see” the world in new ways. This is a contract role with high visibility across cross-functional creative and curriculum teams.

In This Role You Will:

• Create and Curate Visuals
• Research and source compelling visuals, illustrations, maps, and primary sources
• Create original artwork and animations in the Mystery style
• Adapt existing visuals to be age-appropriate and classroom-ready

Collaborate Across Teams

• Partner with Scriptwriters to storyboard lessons where visuals and words work seamlessly
• Work with curriculum experts to ensure visuals support learning goals and historical accuracy
• Prototype visuals quickly, test in classrooms, and revise based on student reactions

Shape Program Identity

• Help define the visual identity of Mystery Social Studies across hundreds of lessons
• Ensure visuals spark curiosity and support discovery-based learning

Core Competencies for Success:

• Visual storytelling for young audiences
• Illustration and animation for educational content
• Collaboration across creative and curriculum teams
• Simplifying complex ideas through design
• Resourcefulness in sourcing visuals: from archives, public domain collections, or your own sketchpad
• Adaptability in fast-paced, iterative environments
• Understanding of child-centered design
• Clear visual communication

Credentials and Experience:

• Experience working with K-5 children and social studies topics, either in the classroom, or in developing curriculum or other media (Required)
• Familiarity with social studies topics and standards (Required)
• Background in visual design, illustration, or animation
• Experience developing educational content for younger audiences
• Experience with storyboarding or video production teams
• Able to work Pacific time zone hours
• Legal right to work in the United States

This role is designed to be a remote contract role initially 6 months.

Discovery Education is an equal opportunity employer. Discovery Education is committed to being an employer of choice, not just a good place to work, but a great and inclusive place to work. To that end, we strive to recruit and maintain a workforce that meaningfully represents the communities we serve. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, protected veteran status or disabled status, or genetic information.