Education Professor and Director of the Childhood Trauma and Resilience Project (Open Rank Position)

The Childhood Trauma and Resilience Project is a donor-funded initiative that builds on the Herschend School’s core commitments to the science of learning and the translation of research into evidence-based educational practice. Grounded in the Science of Resilience, The project seeks to equip K-12 educators to empower children and adolescents to flourish—both academically and as whole people—despite adversity and trauma through an emphasis on developing both educator and learner resilience.

This position offers a rare opportunity to help build a distinctive program connecting childhood adversity, resilience science, the science of learning, and educational practice to promote human flourishing. The founding director will provide intellectual and programmatic leadership for The Childhood Trauma and Resilience Project through an integrated program of teaching, scholarship, and service, helping to establish Gordon College as a national leader in translating resilience research into educational practice. Initial project priorities include the development of an online certificate program and new teacher induction seminar; execution of an applied research agenda; and engagement with school and community partners. Consistent with the project’s commitment to translating research to practice, teaching is a central responsibility of the position. Faculty workload will include 50-70% teaching and 30-50% scholarship, project leadership, partnership development, and outreach. Responsibilities will be adjusted annually in response to the developmental needs and strategic priorities of the project.

Gordon College is a Christian liberal arts college located in Massachusetts on Boston’s North Shore, a beautiful coastal area with easy access to Boston. Core to the Gordon College mission and curriculum are faculty commitments to integrate faith, learning, and living; cultivate imagination with a disposition of hope; and inspire creative contributions to God’s purposes. The Gordon College community has made a commitment to pursuing shalom, a right ordering of relationships and actions resulting in the affirmation of human dignity and the flourishing of community. We seek a colleague whose scholarship, teaching, and engagement with schools and communities will contribute to this vision.

Responsibilities:
• Provide mission-aligned intellectual and programmatic leadership for the Childhood Trauma and Resilience Project in collaboration with an interdisciplinary advisory group;
• Advance Gordon College’s distinctive contribution to the Science of Resilience through teaching, scholarship, partnership, and public engagement;
• Develop an online certificate program and new teacher induction seminar that translates research on childhood trauma, resilience, and educator resilience into actionable educational practices;
• Teach online courses with the option for in person courses where aligned with expertise and programmatic need;
• Lead collection and dissemination of evidence demonstrating project impact on educator knowledge, practice, and resilience;
• Serve as lead author on an annual report highlighting project outcomes, impact, and future priorities;
• Engage in purposeful service to the school, the institution, and the profession;
• Maintain an active scholarly research agenda;
• Develop partnerships with schools and other educational agencies.

Required Qualifications:
• A commitment to the Christian mission of the college and its commitment to integrating faith, learning, and living;
• Earned doctorate in education, psychology, child development, social work, or a closely related field;
• Established or emerging applied research program with clear emphasis on childhood trauma and resilience;
• Demonstrated ability to translate research into meaningful educational practice, including educator preparation, professional development, or school-based practice;
• A minimum of three years of experience in PK-12 education, educator preparation, or a closely related educational setting;
• Experience working with children, adolescents, and/or educators affected by adversity;
• Commitment to evidence-based practices equitably support all learners, including culturally and linguistically sustaining practices;
• Evidence of effective teaching, with preference for experience teaching in online settings;
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills, including the ability to work across traditional disciplinary and professional boundaries;
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners.

Preferred Qualifications:
• A scholarly record informed by the Science of Resilience, Developmental Systems Theory, Positive Childhood Experiences, Trauma-Informed Practice or a related area with evidence of peer-reviewed publication, professional presentations, and practitioner-oriented resources;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead programs, initiatives, or collaborative projects;
• Experience designing online certificate or professional learning programs for educators;
• Evidence of thought leadership that reaches both scholarly and practitioner audiences;
• Experience working collaboratively with schools, districts, or other educational organizations;
• Experience securing external funding or developing grant proposals;
• Experience conducting applied or collaborative research with schools.

Interested Applicants Must Submit:
• Cover letter that addresses the applicant’s fit with the Christian mission of Gordon College and a rationale for interest in this specific position;
• CV that includes the names and contact information for 3 references;
• Teaching philosophy clearly informed by research on childhood trauma and resilience;
• A sample of academic writing.

Anticipated Salary Range: $69,917-$123,626 commensurate with experience.

TO APPLY: https://www.gordon.edu/offices-services/human-resources/jobs/open-faculty-positions

Visit https://www.gordon.edu/offices-services/human-resources/for-prospective-employees for more information on Gordon College.

Our review of applicants will begin October 15 and continue until the position is filled. Gordon College is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration without discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, national origin, or disability.