"Assistant/Associate Professor of Literacy Education (Tenure-Track) 2026"

Description

The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences at The University of Tennessee is seeking applicants for a position in literacy education (grades 3rd-5th emphasis) in the Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education (TPTE). We seek a faculty member at the assistant or associate professor level to join an active research and teaching community focused on the preparation of teachers and assisting the community/schools in literacy instruction, particularly for culturally and linguistically diverse schools across urban and rural settings. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Position begins August 2026.

The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences is a multidisciplinary unit with 90+ tenured/tenure-track faculty members, housed in eight departments. TPTE, the College’s largest department, offers programs of study that lead to initial teacher licensure in many areas as well as undergraduate programs in educational interpreting and audiology/speech pathology, advanced programs leading to several teaching endorsements including gifted education and the literacy specialist, masters and educational specialist degrees, and doctoral degrees. Beyond the licensure programs, other graduate education programs prepare master’s students, educational specialists, and doctoral students for careers in research, teaching, and leadership in research universities, teaching colleges, and elementary schools.

Literacy education faculty conduct rigorous research on reading and writing interventions, assessment development, motivation and affect, and teacher preparation and professional development. Further, faculty members are committed to preparing educators for effective and engaging teaching in high-need urban and rural communities. The successful candidate will join an active, collaborative, and interdisciplinary faculty committed to improving public education through exemplary research, teaching, and service. The successful candidate understands current research and practice for teaching literacy, particularly reading methods for 3rd-5th elementary students. The successful candidate will have extensive and cutting-edge knowledge of literacy research findings and be able to provide professional development on reading and writing practices to area schools and community groups.

Responsibilities

include: (1) designing, conducting and publishing scholarly research; (2) pursuing external funding to support an active research agenda; (3) teaching undergraduate and graduate classes in literacy education; (4) collaborating with a team of faculty on the development, delivery, and ongoing program evaluation of undergraduate courses, the literacy specialist program, and the literacy education PhD program; (5) working collaboratively with a broader group of faculty engaged in literacy work across the college; (6) fulfilling advising and administrative duties as required by the department and the university; (7) developing collaborative relationships with local schools, teachers, and community members; and (8) providing service and leadership to local/state and national/international professional organizations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications at the Assistant Professor Rank

Candidates must have: (1) a doctoral degree in Literacy Education, or a related field, prior to the start of the appointment in August of 2026; (2) content area expertise in elementary literacy, with a focus in grades 3-5 meaning-focused reading development, assessment, and instruction with knowledge of evidence-based practices; (3) evidence of scholarly potential and potential for external funding; (4) quantitative or mixed research methodology expertise; (5) demonstrated evidence in preparation for and/or experience working in culturally and linguistically diverse settings; (6) a record of teaching literacy in elementary classrooms; and (7) a commitment to working as part of a collaborative team on research and teaching.

Required Qualifications at the Associate Professor Rank

Candidates must have all required qualifications of those applying at the Assistant Professor rank, and also a demonstrated record of scholarship and external funding, and have 5 or more years of experience in Literacy Education at the Assistant Professor rank.

Desired Qualifications at the Assistant or Associate Professor Rank

Preferences will be given to candidates who have 3 or more years successful elementary classroom (grades 3-5) teaching experience; content area expertise in elementary literacy, with a focus in grades 3-5 meaning-focused reading and writing; a significant record of scholarship and experience securing external funding commensurate with experience; and a focus in digital literacies, multilingual, and/or translanguaging research.

Application Instructions

Submit applications electronically via the Interfolio portal. Review of applications will begin on September 30th, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about the application process can be directed to Ms. Gina Guinn at gguinn@utk.edu. Applications should include: ● A letter expressing your interest and describing your qualifications, including your expertise in Grades 3 to 5 literacy education ● A curriculum vitae ● Names and contact information of three references ● 1-2 reprints of relevant and recent manuscript publications (or works in progress) ● A one page statement of research

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.