"Assistant Professor in Teacher Education, Early Childhood Education"

Position Summary

The Assistant Professor in Teacher Education with a focus on Early Childhood Education will be responsible for teaching, advising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. Assistant Professors will also be expected to provide service to department and college committees and engage in department and college-wide recruitment and retention activities. Assistant Professors are also required to establish a research agenda consistent with the mission of the Teacher Education Department. Course load will include (typically) 3-credit courses for a standard teaching load of 24 credits per year (which may also include School Based Field Experience courses where the instructor is responsible for organizing and coordinating practicum experiences in collaboration with local schools or early childhood learning centers).

Job Description

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Teach a variety of undergraduate and/or graduate courses (with a focus on Early Childhood courses along with other courses as aligned with expertise) in the Teacher Education Department comparable to 12 credit hours per semester, with a 3-credit research release within the academic year
• Mentor and advise undergraduate students pursuing career interests in Early Childhood Education, including supervising student teaching and school-based field experiences
• Mentor and advise graduate students in career interests and supporting graduate research projects
• Perform service activities such as engaging in department and college committees, recruitment and retention activities
• Build and sustain local, regional, and state partnerships, including local ECE conferences and professional development
• Pursue research and grant opportunities and providing regional professional development activities with local schools and/or early learning centers and community partners
• Coordinate the Early Childhood Education program including managing state licensure processes for Early Childhood Education
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508
• Produce and remediate digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:

• Doctorate in Early Childhood Education or a closely-related field
• A minimum of three years of experience as an Early Childhood Education Teacher in K-12 settings and/or Early Learning Centers
• Experience with and ability to manage state licensure requirements and processes
• An active research agenda in Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Teacher Education program design or implementation

Preferred Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:

• Early Childhood director license and at least three years working as an Early Childhood director
• Experience with state Early Childhood licensing
• Experience in academic program coordination and/or program administration
• Mentorship of teacher education students or peer mentorship
• Undergraduate and/or graduate level college teaching and research
• Experience with diverse educational models such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf etc.
• Experience with grant development and management
• Responsive, respectful, and effective teaching of students from a range of identities
• Commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching and service at a teaching institution that has a meaningful impact on schools in the region.
• Experience with online, hybrid and/or remote instruction
• Development of local and regional partnerships in rural areas
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at a minority-serving institution.

Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility:

This position reports to the Chair of the Education Department

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
• Light to moderate lifting is required

Travel:

Less than 5% is expected for this position

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Exempt
• Full Time 1.0 FTE
• Permanent
• 9 Month Position.
• Typical Work hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Salary

The salary is $58,000, and a comprehensive benefits package

Application Process

A complete application packet includes:

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position
• Curriculum Vitae
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references

Application Deadline

Application materials received by 11:59 p.m. on January 11, 2026, will receive full consideration.

The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts and pass a background check.