Early Childhood Studies (Specialization: Ethnic Studies), Assistant Professor

The Early Childhood Studies (ECS) is one of four departments in the College of Education and Integrative Studies that offers specialized, graduate and undergraduate programs in Education, Educational Leadership, and Liberal Studies. The ECS department benefits from a diverse community reflective of the greater Los Angeles area. Our student body is over sixty percent students of color and reflects our geographical context as one of the most linguistically, culturally, and racially diverse regions in the U.S. The ECS department recognizes historical, systemic, and present conditions that marginalize children, families, and communities, through intersecting oppressive formations across race, language, culture, class, religion, and disability. We are committed to transforming the consequences of the legal and social formation of racism and intersecting forms of oppression through antiracist and decolonial pedagogy, linguistically and culturally responsive approaches, and through advancing social justice and equity in early childhood education. In 2020/2021 the ECS department participated in an anti-racist training led by an expert in early childhood anti-racist research.

The ECS Department's undergraduate degree program advocates for equity and intersectional understanding of systems of oppression that are currently in play in early learning and care (ELC). The ECS program embeds concepts of multilingualism and anti-racism throughout all their required core courses. While at Cal Poly Pomona, Early Childhood Studies’ students learn processes important for early childhood development and identify implications of theory in the examination and application of principles and practices within diverse family, program, and community contexts. Program graduates are prepared to work in infant-toddler programs, preschools, elementary schools, careers in home visiting, family support programs, post-baccalaureate degree programs, and other professional contexts that focus on working with young children and families. For students to obtain the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work with children and families during the most critical developmental time in a child’s life we provide hands-on experiences through service learning, internships, practicum, and fieldwork. ECS students have the opportunity to interact with children and families in our campus childcare center as well as our family-friendly space at the CPP library that supports parenting students and their children. To support our diverse student population, courses are offered in diverse modalities including face-to-face, hybrid, and online. In Spring 2021, the ECS Department was awarded NAEYC Accreditation, becoming the first university in the State of California to earn this distinction.

We have a highly collaborative department. We regularly update our curriculum, support our diverse students, collaborate with community partnerships, and advocate for children and families in organizations such as PEACH (Partnerships in Education, Articulation, and Collaboration in Higher Education). Our faculty are also highly engaged in supporting families on campus and developed CPP KARES (Cal Poly Pomona Kids Activities and Resources for Educational Support) and Family Friendly Space at the CPP library. We are currently involved in a state-wide project, which aims to identify foundational competencies for early childhood professionals to have in working with multilingual children and families, and to develop a formative assessment tool through our collaboration with other stakeholders in the region.

The new faculty member will be a part of the Ethnic Studies Affinity Faculty and will have the opportunity to engage with a new and permanent Office of Ethnic Studies Affinity Teaching and Scholarship. This is a space for collaboration across disciplines and methodological vantage points, mentorship, and professional development programming. The Ethnic Studies Affinity Faculty, and the resources to support them, are a key element of CPP’s ongoing efforts to ensure the flourishing of our diverse students and faculty and be the leading inclusive polytechnic university in the nation.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements:

• Expertise in Ethnic Studies and Childhood (Prenatal- age 12)
• Earned doctorate degree in Early Childhood Studies, Child Development and Family Studies, Ethnic Studies, Cultural Studies, Chicana/Chicano Studies, Asian American Studies, African American Studies, Native American Studies, or a closely related field from an accredited university by August 2022
• Evidence of teaching potential or experience in higher education
• Evidence of professional and scholarly work that aligns with the College’s commitment to social justice, Ethnic Studies, and equity
• Ability to develop and teach a general education course that meets the requirements for Area F Ethnic Studies courses (described near the end)

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Expertise in reconceptualizing early childhood, critical race theory, decolonial pedagogy, Native American land-based pedagogy, funds of knowledge, and/or related asset-based frameworks
• Active participation in Early Childhood/Child Development professional associations or networks related to area of expertise
• Demonstrated commitment to active, student-centered learning
• Willingness to learn NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation standards
• Commitment to teaching excellence
• Evidence of commitment to social justice and active involvement with the early childhood professional community

Application Instructions

Completed application packages uploaded by December 1, 2021, will receive first consideration. The position will remain open until it is filled. Additional information about the position is available at http://www.cpp.edu/~faculty-affairs/open-positions/index.shtml. Application materials must be submitted online via Interfolio at http://www.cpp.edu//~faculty-affairs/open-positions/. General questions can be submitted to the following:

• A completed Application for Academic Employment form (https://www.cpp.edu/~faculty-affairs/documents/acadapplication_feb2017.pdf)
• Letter of interest describing the candidate’s teaching and scholarly experience and interests, and addressing the duties and qualifications articulated in the position description
• A statement of teaching philosophy
• A Student Success Statement about your teaching and/or other experiences, successes, and challenges in working or engaging with a diverse student population (approximately one page, single-spaced). Please address at least two of the inclusive excellence criteria listed above
• Current curriculum vitae that includes the names, titles, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least five references who can speak to the candidate’s potential for success in this position
• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (an official transcript will be required of finalists) showing the highest degree earned
• Finalists for the position will be required to provide three recent written letters of reference

Please direct inquiries to:

Ms. Cynthia Aron

Administrative Coordinator, Early Childhood Studies via email (ciaron@cpp.edu) or phone (909-869-3153).