Assistant Professor of Education

The Department of [Education] at the University of North Carolina Asheville, a public liberal arts and sciences university, seeks qualified applicants with expertise in [Elementary Education (K-6) and Literacy] for a full-time, tenure-track [Assistant] professor position that will begin in the fall semester of 202 ⁵. The successful candidate must have earned a Ph.D. or Ed.D in [Education] or closely related discipline prior to July 1, 202 ⁵ and will be expected to teach 12 contact hours per semester (typically three or four classes); establish their scholarly activities that involves undergraduates; and engage in service to the institution, the community, and the profession. The department is particularly interested in individuals with expertise to teach courses and conduct research in [Elementary Education and Literacy]. Individuals with demonstrated excellence in teaching, a strong commitment to undergraduate education, and a well-developed plan to establish an active research program that involves mentoring students are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the core curriculum and engage in departmental and university-level service.

UNC Asheville values interdisciplinary perspectives, often incorporated in teaching within the core curriculum. Multidisciplinary perspectives are welcomed, as is pedagogical collaboration with colleagues from across the campus. UNC Asheville has also been a national leader in undergraduate research for over 30 years, and over 67% of our students graduate each year having been involved in this important learning experience. The University fully embraces the idea of mentored undergraduate research being one of the highest forms of teaching, and the institution values success in this facet of a faculty member's work. Therefore, the successful candidate for this position must be able to articulate a clear vision for a sustainable, highly productive, and preferably externally funded scholarly activities that includes undergraduates.

Applications for this position should be submitted electronically at https://jobs.unca.edu. Complete applications require a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy that includes interest in or potential for interdisciplinary teaching outside of the department, statement of planned scholarship and creative activities, undergraduate transcripts, and graduate transcripts. Each applicant should also request three letters of reference to be sent separately that address the candidate's written, verbal and interpersonal skills; ability to teach and mentor undergraduate students; and potential to develop successful, externally funded scholarly activities. Review of applications will begin [March 3, 2025] and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries may be directed to [Department Search Chair, Dr. Tiece Ruffin, truffin@unca.edu, Chair, Education].

UNC Asheville is committed to equality and diversity of experiences for our students, applicants, and employees. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply regardless of socio-economic status, gender expression, gender and sexual identity, culture, and ideological beliefs. UNC Asheville is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and will not discriminate against applicants and employees on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other legally protected status with respect to all terms, conditions, and privileges of university-sponsored activities, employment, and the use of university facilities.

The Department of Education is an eclectic group of scholars and community-engaged educators committed to responsive pedagogies in educator preparation. The Department has four full-time faculty members in teacher education at the undergraduate level. The successful candidate will be a member of a department that serves teacher licensure students in Art (K-12), Special Education (K-12), Elementary Education (K-6), English (9-12), Middle Grades Education (6-9; Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, or Science), Math (9-12), Science (9-12), and Social Studies (9-12). The Department of Education engages with all departments across campus in preparing professional educators, as undergraduate candidates major in an academic area specific to their intended licensure area, and then take additional courses necessary to earn their North Carolina teaching license. Education is not a major or a minor but is an area of concentration in addition to the academic major. This structure reflects the liberal arts model. The department believes that through the attainment of discipline-specific knowledge, concentrated study of pedagogy, and training in a professional approach to teaching, our candidates develop into teachers who are prepared to meet the multifaceted needs of P-12 students. In preparing candidates to become teachers, department faculty members must be professionally committed practitioners who work to provide effective programs and courses. Department faculty members model appropriate teaching strategies in their practice. Faculty members are reflective thinkers who, individually and in collaboration with others, continually consider and refine teaching methods utilizing current best practices, appropriate technologies, knowledge of effective practices, and an understanding of equitable and inclusive practices to meet the needs of candidates and P-12 students and schools. Department faculty members are committed to social justice pedagogy, fostering equitable practices and policies to ensure the preparation of all students for an increasingly interconnected world.

A [desired advanced degree" Ph.D. or Ed.D.] in [Education] or related field with expertise in [Literacy and Elementary Education ] earned prior to July 1, 202 ⁵ is required for this position. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate through application materials and in the interview that they have demonstrated excellence in undergraduate education, a concrete research agenda that includes the mentoring of undergraduate students, a desire to contribute to general education requirements, and have interest in interdisciplinary work across the university.

Required qualifications:
* Terminal degree in a relevant field with a completion date prior to faculty appointment
* Minimum of 3 years teaching experience in the elementary grades (K through 6th)
* Expertise in literacy
* Evidence of a demonstrated commitment to culturally relevant, responsive and sustaining teaching, scholarship, and service that values equity, inclusion, access, and justice
* Engage in teaching, scholarly/creative, and service activities appropriate to faculty rank, departmental values, and University tenure/merit criteria.

Responsibilities include:
* Ability to teach high-quality undergraduate courses, engage in scholarly/creative activity, and service
* Ability to teach elementary education and literacy field experience based education courses at the undergraduate level
* Supervision of teacher candidates in the field
* Serve on committees that support the Department and accreditation

Please note that any documents submitted to Human Resources or the hiring departments become property of UNC Asheville and will not be returned.