Early Childhood Education - Assistant or Associate Professor

The Department of Education at the University of Minnesota Duluth seeks to hire a full-time early childhood educator of excellence, committed to anti-racist pedagogy and social justice. The salary range for this position will be $50,000-$80,000, based on experience. This position will carry the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor (depending on qualification) with a start date beginning August 18, 2025. This faculty assignment consists of teaching undergraduate and graduate pre-service or practicing teachers in Early Childhood Education; supervising student teachers; advising students enrolled in education programs; serving on department, university, and state-wide committees; and other activities as assigned. Scholarship, including research and publication, is required for tenure and promotion.

Required/Essential Qualifications:

Applicants for the position of Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education

1. A Doctoral degree in Education or related field from a regionally accredited university, complete by the start of contract.
2. Commitment to anti-racist work across diverse populations and fostering social justice
3. A Record of or potential for strong research contributions in Early Childhood.
4. Degree completion required (if applicable) before contract begins on August 18, 2025.
   

Applicants for the position of Associate Professor must meet the requirements above and possess a distinguished record of academic achievement (scholarly research or other creative work, teaching, and service) that satisfies the criteria for Associate Professor status in the College of Education and Human Service Professions at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. At least three years of successful teaching in grades PK-3rd grade, evidence of providing and advocating for inclusive education across the learning spectrum;
2. Experience with inclusive and culturally responsive pedagogies including strategies for supporting language development of minoritized languages and English language learners;
3. Research background in Early Childhood education for students with exceptionalities;
4. Experience working with Indigenous peoples and other ethnically and linguistically diverse populations;
5. Demonstrated excellence teaching in higher education;
6. Experience teaching early literacy and reading/writing skills with children ages 0-8 yrs;
7. Evidence of social justice, culturally responsive, and antiracist practices in teaching, scholarship and service;
8. Experience teaching graduate courses;
9. Experience teaching with technology;
10. Experience with and commitment to PK-3 family and community partnerships
11. Experience supervising students in early childcare services and PK-3 school settings;
12. History of successful grant writing;
13. Evidence of working collaboratively with colleagues and community partners locally and broadly;

The Department of Education is one of five departments in the College of Education and Human Service Professions and is the home of the Ruth Meyers Center for Indigenous Education. The Department offers 16 undergraduate teaching licensure programs. Licensure offerings include Early Childhood Education (to be launched in 2025); Integrated Elementary and Special Education; Secondary licensure options (Communication Arts and Literature, Earth and Space Science, Health, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Social Studies); K-12 Educations (Art, Music, Physical Education, World Languages). Minors include: TESOL/TEFL; Early Childhood; Deaf Studies. Graduate offerings include a Master of Education degree and Community College Teaching Certificate. The Department of Education home page can be found at http://cehsp.d.umn.edu/departments-centers/educ.

Aligned with NAEYC's call to Advance Equity in Early Childhood Education, our Department of Education has relaunched an Early Childhood Program that aspires to be a contemporary and innovative program that promotes equitable access and inclusion for young children and their families. Our graduates will create engaging learning communities which foster young children's unique development, individual and family strengths, backgrounds, languages, abilities, and experiences (NAEYC 2019) and meet the demand for high-quality early childhood educators.

The College of Education and Human Service Professions promotes research and practice in the social and human sciences. Our collective teaching, scholarship, and service support student development as engaged citizens, reflective learners, critical thinkers, and evidence-informed practitioners in a culturally sensitive, socially-just learning environment. The college is committed to and is a campus leader in the areas of diversity/anti-racist work, community outreach and sustainability. The college has been nationally and regionally recognized for programs that partner with and serve Indigenous communities.

The University of Minnesota Duluth was recently ranked one of the top 50 regional universities in the Midwest (U.S. News & World Reports). The campus offers a robust set of American Indian programs and is in close proximity to many Indigenous nations. The city of Duluth, located approximately two and a half hours north of Minneapolis, is nationally ranked as one of the best places to live and work. Perched at the western end of Gichigami (Lake Superior), the largest freshwater lake in the world and surrounded by natural forests, Duluth offers some of the best outdoor recreational activities and boasts of thriving industries in technology, healthcare, aviation, and education. The city of Duluth is recognized as a "climate refuge city."

Pay Range: $50,000.00-$80,000.00; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To apply for this position, go to https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Find-Job and search for job opening 365088. Click on the job title to apply. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach your letter of application and CV. The additional document (references) must be attached by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading the document in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Complete applications will include:

1. Letter of Application addressing required and preferred qualifications. Please include details about your research agenda and commitment to anti-racist work.
2. Your current curriculum vitae

Professional references will be requested from finalists later in the search process via SkillSurvey References, the University's online, automated reference-checking tool.

Please note that the letter of application (cover letter) and curriculum vitae are uploaded during the application process. Once this is complete you can return to the application and upload professional reference information.

Completed online applications will be considered beginning November 25, 2024. Initial screening will be an anonymized review of the letter of application. Position will remain open until filled. Anticipated start date is August 18th, 2025.

Please send any inquiries to: Dr. Jodie Riek, jriek@d.umn.edu

Smoking, chewing tobacco and the use of electronic cigarettes prohibited on all UMD property, including indoor facilities, campus grounds and University vehicles.

If you have started receiving retirement annuity payments from the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) or Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) your eligibility for this position may be impacted. Please contact UM Benefits at 1-800-756-2363 for any eligibility limitations.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact a University of Minnesota Access consultant at 612-624-3316.

The University of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer. Veterans and individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).