"Assistant Professor, Elementary & Literacy Education (AA27027)"

Position Summary

The department of Elementary and Literacy Education at Minnesota State University, Mankato invites applications for a probationary, Assistant Professor beginning August 19, 2026. This position requires teaching and advising to support the undergraduate and graduate programs online and on campus in reading and elementary education. This position requires active engagement in scholarship, advising, continuing preparation, services to the University, community and discipline.

A doctorate or terminal degree in Reading or a closely related field is required. Evidence of Degree completion by August 19, 2026. A minimum of three years' teaching experience as instructor of record with at least one year in K-6 with teaching reading as part of the job responsibility is also required. A typical faculty workload responsibility may include up to twenty four (24) credits of instruction per academic year.

The successful candidate may need to teach in other areas as assigned and qualified. May be expected to develop and deliver face-to-face, hybrid, and on-line instruction at the Mankato campus, online, and/or at the university’s additional locations, as assigned.

The successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues in curriculum design, instruction and evaluation, conduct research productively and mentor students in research, help create innovative strategies for student recruitment, retention, and completion, and may be expected to develop external grant funding opportunities.

All faculty members are expected to engage in scholarly or creative activity or research, in continuing preparation and study, in contributing to student growth and development, and in providing service to the university and community (See Article 22 and Appendix G of the IFO Master Agreement).

This position will advise undergraduate majors. This position will supervise/advise graduate students. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching undergraduate courses in the area of reading within elementary education. The successful candidate may be responsible for teaching graduate courses in the reading endorsement program and in the area of reading within elementary education.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from a wide range of diverse backgrounds and to foster a professional environment that is inclusive, respectful, and equitable for all.
• Doctorate or terminal degree in Reading or closely related field. (conferred on an official transcript and received in Human Resources by August 17, 2026.)
• Minimum three years' teaching experience as instructor of record with at least one year in K-6 with teaching reading as part of the job responsibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience fostering an inclusive, equitable, and respectful environment while working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated effective written, oral communication and/or presentation skills.
• Demonstrated preparation to teach, advise and support a wide variety of students.
• Demonstrated ability to teach the courses listed, along with additional courses depending on the department's needs: ELE 411 Literacy and Learning in Diverse Elementary Classrooms, ELE 421 Integrating Critical Literacies to Promote Equity Across the Elementary Curriculum, ELE 603 Reading Practicum, ELE 604 Assessment and Intervention for Older Readers, ELE 607 Advanced Pedagogy for Literacy Instruction, ELE 608 Literacy Research and Policies, ELE 651 Literacy Methods for Elementary Teaching, ELE 662 Reading Foundations for Elementary Teaching.
• Demonstrates the potential to design effective online instruction, synchronously and asynchronously.
• Demonstrated commitment to department activities and university service such as curriculum committee and other matters.
• Demonstrate potential for research or scholarly activity that is congruent with the mission and goals of the department at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Application Procedures

A complete online application will include the following attachments. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the search committee.

• Cover Letter
• Non-Photo Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Contact Information for three (3) references
• Unofficial Transcript(s) of your highest completed degree
• A brief (no more than one-page) response to the following: Provide a specific example from your professional or academic experience that demonstrates your ability to work effectively with individuals from a wide range of diverse backgrounds. In your response, describe the actions you took to foster an environment that was inclusive, respectful, and equitable for all. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience?

Contact Information

Karen Colum, Search Chair
Minnesota State University, Mankato
328 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: 507-389-5652
TTY: 800-627-3529 or 711
Email: karen.colum@mnsu.edu

Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.