Open Rank Clinical Professor in Elementary Literacy Education

The University of Iowa
College of Education
Department of Teaching and Learning
Open Rank Clinical Professor in Elementary Literacy Education

Position

The Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Iowa invites applications for an academic-year open rank clinical track professor.  The position will begin August 18, 2021.

Description 

This is a full-time academic-year (9 month) clinical track faculty position with an initial three-year appointment.  Renewal is possible, dependent on recurrent funding and performance.  We seek an individual with broad expertise in elementary literacy education as well as experience with teacher education. The position will also entail coordinating department efforts in building pipelines and pathways into teacher education for students of color. The successful applicant will be expected to teach the equivalent of three courses each semester and coordinate pipeline programming with local schools and communities. Participating in grant activities, such as proposing and managing professional development grants, will also be important. We seek individuals who are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in education.

Education Requirement

Prospective candidates must have earned a doctorate in Literacy Education or a related discipline by August 1, 2021.

Required Qualifications

(1)  Experience in elementary literacy education in K12 settings; (2) experience and a strong commitment to working and collaborating with diverse populations; (3) evidence of or potential for securing external funds for professional and program development.

Desirable Qualifications

(1) Evidence of excellent teaching skills in teacher education in higher education; (2) experience as a elementary teacher; (3) capacity to work with school districts to recruit and retain future teachers of color; (4) a record of securing external funds for training and program development; and (5) experience with program coordination, recruiting, and advising, and (6) experience in building partnerships with local schools and communities.

Responsibilities

Major responsibilities include the following: instruction in elementary literacy education courses; coordination of pipeline to teacher education programming, including recruiting and advising; and participating in grant activities to secure funding for professional and curriculum development. This work includes establishing connections with local school and communities as well as departments across the UI campus. In addition, the successful candidate will be involved with local, state, and national activities that support literacy education as well as diversity and equity in teacher education; and participate in service to the program, department, college, and university. Faculty are required to engage in at least 4 hours a semester of collaboration with teachers in contributing to instruction in K12 classrooms.

Salary

Highly competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Excellent start-up package, benefits, and research support.

Appointment 

Academic year (9 month) tenure-track appointment beginning August 18, 2021.

Applications

Candidates should submit an application letter addressing all qualifications noted above, curriculum vitae, sample of scholarly writing, contact information for three references, and graduate college transcripts.  To apply for this position, go to our website at https://jobs.uiowa.edu/content/faculty and choose requisition number 74031.  Address inquiries or nominations to Mark McDermott (mark-a-mcdermott@uiowa.edu) or call 319-335-5591.

Screening

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

About the Department and the Program

The Department of Teaching and Learning (T & L) at the University of Iowa includes over 35 faculty members. The Elementary Education Program provides instruction to over 300 students each year. Elementary literacy includes a sequence of courses that collectively address children’s literature, reading and language arts methods in primary and intermediate grades; assessment; and inclusive practices for diverse literacy learners. Throughout the courses, students have opportunities to apply theories and new practices in local schools, followed by a semester-long reading practicum in a K-6 classroom. Instruction across the course sequence reflects a developmental orientation with an emphasis on literacy as a social practice. A central aim of the elementary literacy area is to prepare anti-racist teachers to work in ethnically and linguistically diverse classrooms. The College of Education houses the Iowa Reading Research Center in partnership with the State of Iowa where research on literacy practices is conducted to provide guidance for schools in literacy instruction. The Department has an active Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee who guides work on equity and anti-racist education the Teacher Education Program. They are also establishing pipeline programming to increase the future teachers of color in Iowa.

About the College

The College of Education offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including licensure, endorsement, and certificate programs, many of which are regularly ranked among the best in the nation.  Students study with our world-renowned faculty who are the leaders, scholars, and innovators in their fields.  Our college is comprised of four departments: Educational Policy and Leadership Studies, Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, Rehabilitation and Counselor Education, and Teaching and Learning

About the University and Surrounding Community

The University of Iowa (UI) is world-renowned for its commitment to the arts, sciences, and humanities.  UI has been a member of the Big Ten conference since 1899 and the Association of American Universities since 1909.  UI ranks #34 among the nation’s 629 public universities (U.  S.   News & World Report).  More than 32,500 students earn bachelor’s, graduate, and professional degrees from UI’s 11 colleges.  

UI is located in Iowa City, a UNESCO City of Literature that is widely recognized as one of the country’s most livable communities.  With more than 70,000 residents, Iowa City is an attractive haven for scholars, scientists, artists, writers, and professionals of all kinds.  Highlights of living in Iowa City include outstanding affordable health care, excellent libraries and schools, historic neighborhoods, and a lively downtown.  Chicago, St. Louis, and Minneapolis/St. Paul are a short car or bus trip away, and nearby Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) connects travelers to the world.  The relationship between Iowa City and the UI is very cooperative and supportive. 

The University of Iowa is a founding member of the Central Midwest Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC) and is committed to recruiting and retaining the most talented and diverse faculty and staff and assisting dual-career couples. 

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or any other classification that deprives the person of consideration as an individual.