"Lecturer - Elementary Education & Literacy"

Lecturer - Elementary Education & Literacy

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Department
Elementary Education and Literacy

Position Summary

The Department of Elementary Education & Literacy at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) invites applications for a renewable 10-month contract as a full-time lecturer to begin in January 2026. The ideal candidate would be a former educator with experience either teaching and/or supervising pre-service teachers in a university setting. The department is particularly interested in applicants who have experience building and maintaining university and K-12 school partnerships and coaching pre-service teachers in a yearlong residency model. This model is unique to the department and MSU Denver in that it requires students to complete a yearlong clinical experience during the final year of their program. The residency model is a practice-based approach to teacher preparation that integrates coursework, coaching, and clinical experience. This model creates space for pre-service teachers to work closely with a Mentor Teacher, University Supervisor, and Site Coordinator for an intensive yearlong coaching experience that will ensure they are well prepared for entering the teaching profession on day one.

This position requires the equivalent of 15 credits per semester divided up into 5 areas of focus:

• (a) elementary residency site coordinator,
• (b) elementary residency supervisor,
• (c) teaching at least one course,
• (d) student success coaching, and
• (e) additional duties assigned.

For the first area, the candidate will work as a site coordinator within the elementary yearlong residency-a leadership position within the residency program that requires building and maintaining district and school partnerships. The candidate will also serve as a university supervisor in a coaching role with students placed in a variety of partnership schools across the Denver metropolitan area. For the third area, the candidate will teach at least one course within the undergraduate or graduate elementary education program offered either in the day or evening each semester with a potential focus on the following topics: (a) foundational understanding of the teaching profession, (b) instructional models, (c) assessment practices, and (d) differentiated learning environments. Summer teaching opportunities may be available depending on departmental needs and student demand. Lastly, the candidate will provide personalized, holistic support (i.e., success coaching) in ensuring students thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Other responsibilities include participating in professional development, attending department and site coordinator meetings, informing course and program development, and student advising.

The University is particularly interested in applicants who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for underrepresented groups. Metropolitan State University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer.

Duties/Responsibilities

This full-time lecturer position requires the equivalent of 15 credits per semester, divided up into 5 areas of focus: (a) elementary residency site coordinator, (b) elementary residency supervisor, (c) teaching at least one course, (d) student success coaching, and (e) additional duties assigned. Below are the full-time duties and responsibilities for each area, though additional duties may also apply.

Elementary Residency Site Coordinator (33%)

• Develop positive, reciprocal relationships with school leaders and agencies in the community, to actively support the success of teacher candidates.
• Build the capacity of school sites in districts for future resident placement through district and school networking that are aligned to the department's vision and the outcomes associated with our residency program.
• Maintain communication and provide support with residents and mentor teachers across all assigned schools on an as needed basis.
• Conduct at least 3 walkthroughs of residency school sites to check in with residents and Mentor Teachers; give informal feedback; observe and look for trends across school sites that would be good to address in seminar; and recruit/meet potential new Mentor Teachers for an upcoming semester.
• Support the informal/formal plan process for teacher candidates in the Residency program.
• Support the professional growth of the Mentor Teachers via workshops.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff in the department and in the Office of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships (OCEP) to participate in the overall assessment of the residency program and provide input on continuous improvement efforts to improve the students' experience as well as successful retention and completion.
• Lead residency seminars

Elementary Residency Supervision (27%)

• Complete a minimum of 4 observations of a teacher candidate in order to coach, support, and provide feedback on their progress towards meeting the identified standards and elements of the Colorado Teacher Quality Standards.
• Provide a minimum of 4 one-hour seminars to teacher candidates focusing on professionalism, problems of practice, and/or observation feedback.
• Support teacher candidates in the collection of teaching artifacts that address specific standards and elements of the Colorado Teacher Quality Standards.
• Utilize observation tools including "Look For" documents to assess and evaluate teacher candidate skills and then communicate areas of teacher candidate growth and continued development.

Teaching (20%)

• Teach at least one 3-credit course per fall/spring semester.
• Employ trauma-informed, equity-based, and inclusive pedagogy that prioritizes thoughtful, reflexive, and evidence-based approaches to empower student reasoning and critical thinking.
• Utilize differentiated assessment methods aligned with course objectives; ensure fairness and consistency in evaluation; and provide timely, constructive feedback that supports student learning.
• Revise courses individually and collaboratively as well as contribute actively to program and curriculum development that advances equity.
• Maintain office hours to advise and support students.

Student Success work (15%)

• Provide individualized coaching to student cohorts on time management, organization, and study skills while demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting the diverse educational needs and lived experiences of all learners.

Additional duties assigned (5%)

Required qualifications

• Master's Degree in Elementary Education, Teaching, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field.
• Teaching experience in a K-12 setting.

Preferred qualifications

• Doctorate, ABD, or Master's degree in Elementary Education or in an area of curriculum and/or instruction related to elementary education.
• 3 or more years of professional experience working with children, families, and communities in elementary settings.
• 3 or more years of experience engaged in teacher education, with specific experience supervising students in a clinical setting.
• Experience collaborating in partnership with elementary schools.
• Willingness to collaborate in partnerships with school leaders and mentor teachers towards mutually beneficial goals.
• Evidence of ability to contribute to course and program development toward the goal of trauma-informed, equity-based, and inclusive pedagogy that prioritizes thoughtful, reflexive, and evidence-based approaches to empower student reasoning and critical thinking.
• Evidence of ability to work effectively with colleagues to teach, coach, and evaluate pre-service teachers that will actively support their growth and development towards becoming a successful first-year teacher.
• Evidence of ability to coach teacher candidates in a collaborative, relational, and reflective process rooted in trust, empathy, and equity.
• Demonstrated commitment to teaching, mentoring, and supporting students from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds including traditional, first generation, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Latinx, adult, military, second career, second chance, concurrent high school/ college students, and students with mental health, learning, or physical differences.
• Experience working with multilingual and/or culturally and linguistically diverse students.

Salary for Announcement

The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $60,000 at the Lecturer level. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, education, experience, specialty and training.

MSU Denver offers excellent benefits that include medical, dental, retirement, tuition benefit, free RTD pass, and more. For a brief overview of these options, visit our Benefits section below.

Instructions to Apply

Completed applications must be received by the closing date of Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM MST. Internal applicants must apply through their MSU Denver Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs' under the Career tab.

For full consideration, you must include the following documents with your application:

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. References. Please include the names and contact information for three professional references.

Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Finalist selected for this position will start teaching in January 2026.

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Posting Representative

Elizabeth Wellington

Posting Representative Email
ewelling@msudenver.edu

Benefits

The University's benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. Visit MSU Denver's benefits website to learn more.

For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf