Program Director, Teacher Education & Assistant/Associate Professor of Education

Mary Baldwin University invites applications for a Program Director for Teacher Education who will also be a faculty member at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. 

MBU is committed, through its mission, to “empowering tomorrow’s inclusive leaders to lead lives of purpose and professional success.” MBU’s School of Education (SoE) is part of the Palmer College of Professional Studies and home to three distinct academic programs that offer a combination of undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as non-degree programs and certificates.

As a faculty member, the SoE seeks an innovative educator who has experience and knowledge of teacher education in Virginia and has a terminal degree in Curriculum and Instruction with expertise in:

• History/Social Sciences OR 
• Language Arts/Reading Education OR
• Mathematics Education OR
• Science Education

In addition to the substantive knowledge base in their area(s) of expertise, the demonstration of inclusive education, digital pedagogies, excellent communication skills, along with an enthusiasm and a commitment to lifelong learning are expected. Candidates are required to teach at least four classes in the online graduate and undergraduate programs at the University with some expected travel to campus. Additionally, this individual will serve our students by ensuring that the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) competencies and CAEP standards are met. This will involve staying up to date with content knowledge and competencies set forth by the VDOE and serving on a SoE CAEP Standard committee(s). 

Reporting to the Associate Dean and Director of Palmer College’s School of Education, the Program Director for Teacher Education & Assistant/Associate Professor (PDTE-AP) will maintain the academic standards and learning objectives of the teacher education program, emphasizing deep comprehension, analysis, synthesis, and application of educational knowledge, and therefore preparing students for successful teaching careers. The PDTE-AP will promote inquiry teaching and learning in the Teacher Education Program (TEP)  by encouraging learning activities that provide students with opportunities to gain broad conceptual knowledge, professional skills and experiences relevant to their discipline, and to transmit and develop new applications of knowledge. 

The PDTE-AP will serve as the lead faculty for the teacher education program and the primary liaison between the University and the degree-granting program, and are responsible for ensuring a high-quality education and an inclusive climate for all students. A major focus will be on serving our students by ensuring that the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) competencies and CAEP standards are met. The Program Director of Teacher Education/AP will guide the curricular process so that the academic standards and learning objectives of the teacher education program emphasize deep comprehension, analysis, synthesis, and application of educational knowledge, and therefore prepare students for successful teaching careers.

This is a renewable 12 month contract, renewing each July. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The expectations as an assistant/associate professor at MBU include teaching, community involvement, and research.  

Excellence in Teaching and Advising for a Quality Student Learning Experience

• Teach four courses in the graduate, undergraduate programs as well as non-degree programs and certificates (online and residential)
• Focus on inquiry teaching and learning in the subject area and across subject areas
• Use of Canvas, a learning management system, to support student learning and grading
• Be willing and able to academically support all students
• Provide timely and useful feedback to student work
• Be aware of VDOE competencies and apply to coursework where relevant and required
• Be willing and able to academically support ALL students and implement high leverage practices where applicable
• Advise and engage in mentoring of students
• Serve as thesis project chair when requested
• Support faculty and adjuncts with instruction as needed 
• Stay aware of adjunct course evaluations for discussions with the Assoc. Dean & SoE Director
• Review and maintain accurate course requirements for each endorsement area
• Stay up to date with completing student endorsement checklists not covered by the degree trees
• Communicate information from MBU and the VDOE to faculty and adjunct faculty.

University Commitment to Promote Educational Excellence Within the MBU Community

• Lead and/or support recruitment efforts, program development, and sharing awareness and implementation efforts for student retention 
• Participate in University, Palmer College of Professional Studies, and School of Education Committees
• Serve on a CAEP standard team(s) to ensure all aspects of the standard(s) are being addressed, data gathered, and the sharing of data as required
• Be a part of the leadership team overseeing the CAEP review process for quality assurance 
• Be involved in the creation of new majors, minors or certificates within the education program
• Collaborate with MBU peers on academic strategies or goals that will enhance instruction, the teaching and learning of our students
• Respond to students, faculty, and advisors with TEP-specific questions 

Commitment to Scholarship that Leads to Growth and Continuous Improvement 

• Maintain an active research agenda
• Support instructors to ensure the quality of the program based on research
• Oversee the Ed Leaders Living Learning Community to maintain a quality program for students who excel or fast-track based on best approaches in research
• Oversee grants and scholarships processes

In addition to faculty expectations, you will be expected to support, lead, and promote MBU’s SoE programs.
Overseeing Program Administration, Growth, and Continuous Improvement 

• Prepare materials and communications for leadership (executive staff, Board of Trustees)
• Work with the Associate Dean/School Director on budgetary items and on requests/projected expenses
• Responsible for creating and maintaining course offerings list & course carousels
• Interface with: Alumni Relations, Admissions/Enrollment, Marketing, McCree Center for Life Success, community members and stakeholders
• Recommend hiring of Adjuncts
• Complete annual reports, adjunct performance reviews based on course evaluations
• Prepare materials for Educational Policy Committees (EPCs), CAEP, SACSCOC etc.
• Help create new majors, minors or certificates within program or adjacent to program
• Collaborate with peers on the academic strategy and goals of adjacent programs
• Develop and refine an annual strategic plan, enrollment targets, with input from stakeholders, faculty, and alumni
• Oversee recruiting activities of faculty & maintaining subject matter experts for a quality program
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the VDOE for the Teacher Education Program
• Manage the VDOE program matrices, add/remove or update endorsement offerings if applicable
• Ensure that all checklists and syllabi meet VDOE competencies and complete licensure/non-degree checklists for applicable students
• Support the Associate Dean and SoE Director with CAEP Accreditation, review of adjunct course evaluations, recommend adjuncts, and oversee the Course Offering List for each semester

Advancing Stakeholder and Alumni Engagement 

• Facilitate and coordinate collaboration between SoE and other Education Preparation Providers (EPPs)
• Facilitate in-person meetings to discuss topics of interest with stakeholders, faculty, and alumni
• Gather input from stakeholders regarding student success stories and program outcomes
• Stay connected to our completers and EPPs to understand and identify needs
• Serve on the MidValley Consortium for Teacher Education as the Mary Baldwin representative
• Coordinate with Marketing and Communications departments regarding marketing programs, plans, and outreach opportunities

Required Qualifications: 

• Candidates will possess a doctorate (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in one of the following areas (ABD will be considered):
  • History/Social Sciences Education
  • Language Arts/Reading Education
  • Mathematics Education
  • Science Education
• A creative and innovative thinker, strategist who thinks “outside of the box”
• Knowledge of principles and methods for teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effectiveness
• Strong organizational skills, ability to effectively convey ideas in a concise and persuasive way; ability to navigate stakeholders and synthesize information
• Proven ability to work effectively in a remote environment with minimal supervision
• Teaching experience specifically with online platforms
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of CAEP and data driven approaches to teacher education
• Commitment to inclusive learner-centered education, innovative educational models, and readiness to participate in inter-professional education opportunities with the Mary Baldwin University Faculty and Students
• Demonstrated evidence of engagement in teaching, research, and service that contributes to building and sustaining equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities
• Ability to exercise leadership in planning, developing, implementing, evaluating, and customizing educational experiences
• Scholarship and participation in university, community, and professional service is required

To apply, send the following items to ljohnson@marybaldwin.edu by March 15th.

• Letter of application addressing qualifications, teaching philosophy, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion across the university;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Names and contact information for three references (include emails and phone numbers);
• Unofficial transcripts (if offered, official transcripts will be required)

The projected start date is July 2023. Review of applications will be ongoing and continue until the position is filled.