Assistant Professor of Instruction – Elementary Science Education

Department: Curriculum, Instruction and Learning / 1714000

College/Division: College of Education

Salary Plan: Faculty

Hiring Salary: Negotiable, competitive, and commensurate with qualifications and experience

The CIL Elementary, Science, and STEM Education programs value rich school partnerships across local districts. We are committed to the values of inquiry, inclusion, integration, and innovation. Our goals are to prepare and support educators who are committed to developing socially just, equity-oriented, anti-racist, and anti-biased learning communities who approach their teaching from an inquiry stance. We promote the development of an inquiry stance toward teaching where our students engage in regular, systematic, and intentional study of their practice using multiple forms of data. We are committed to supporting our teachers in utilizing innovative practices, including the use of technology and multimodal instruction, to solve the continued challenges we face in education. Finally, as educators, we feel it is imperative to promote an interdisciplinary approach to integrating content across the curriculum, as well as making ongoing theory-to-practice and practice-to-theory connections.

The candidate(s) will work collaboratively with education faculty in innovative, clinically rich, partnership-based teacher preparation and professional development programs. Responsibilities will include 1) teaching elementary and secondary science and STEM education courses, 2) supervision and instructional coaching of interns in clinically based internships, 3) course instruction (e.g., classroom management and instructional planning), 4) collaborating with partnership schools, and 5) providing support to in-service teachers. The position effective date is August 7, 2024, and is a 9-month position.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Earned Doctorate in science education or related field (e.g., curriculum/instruction or teacher education) before August 7, 2024;
• Three years of successful teaching experience (K-12 setting); and
• At least 18 graduate hours of science or science education coursework, sufficient for accreditation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Successful experience coaching pre- and/or in-service teachers within the university and/or the K-12 classroom;
• Experience in secondary science education or STEM education;
• Successful university teaching experience in elementary and/or teacher education;
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, interdisciplinary inquiry, school-university partnerships, community engagement, and/or global impact;
• Advanced coursework or experience with teaching for social justice and equity;
• Experience in schools with diverse student populations (e.g., socio-economic, racial, linguistic, geographic (urban/rural), exceptional students);
• Experience with the integration of technology for teaching and learning, and/or teaching online courses; and
• Experience conducting practice-based research (e.g., teacher inquiry, action research, self-study).

The candidate for this position may work in the following CIL programs:

• Elementary & Secondary Education Undergraduate & MAT Programs – clinically-intensive teacher preparation programs that prepare preservice teachers for future positions as K-6 classroom teachers. The elementary undergraduate award-winning program is nationally recognized for its ability to work with school partners to develop clinically based teacher preparation programs.
• Secondary STEM Education Undergraduate and Elementary Education (STEM Concentration) Graduate Programs- These programs support in-service math and science teachers to create experiences that interest and excite students of all backgrounds to transform their classrooms and schools into vibrant STEM learning environments.

The CIL Elementary, Science, and STEM Education programs value rich school partnerships across local districts. We are committed to the values of inquiry, inclusion, integration, and innovation. Our goals are to prepare and support educators who are committed to developing socially just, equity-oriented, anti-racist, and anti-biased learning communities who approach their teaching from an inquiry stance. We promote the development of an inquiry stance toward teaching where our students engage in regular, systematic, and intentional study of their practice using multiple forms of data. We are committed to supporting our teachers in utilizing innovative practices, including the use of technology and multimodal instruction, to solve the continued challenges we face in education. Finally, as educators, we feel it is imperative to promote an interdisciplinary approach to integrating content across the curriculum, as well as making ongoing theory-to-practice and practice-to-theory connections.

The department has programs on the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee campuses. CIL houses 8 programs, including elementary education (multi-campus), early childhood education, education (elementary and special education), and content specialties at the secondary level, including mathematics education, science education, STEM education, social science education, and English education. The department is home to 28 full-time faculty members. Our mission focuses on transforming lives through the promotion of equity, social justice, and improved education for students and communities particularly those that have been underserved. The mission statement for CIL is, “The Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning (CIL) is a multi-campus distinguished community of faculty, students, and staff focused on transforming lives through the promotion of equity, social justice, and improved education for students and communities particularly those that have been underserved. CIL faculty and partners engage in innovative research, expert pedagogical practices, and distinctive community engagement targeted at positively improving the lives of children, families, and adults across diverse educational settings.”

Information for Applicants 

This position is subject to a Level 1 criminal background check.

Job Opening Number: 36127

Posting Date:  01/25/2024

Posting End Date: 04/24/2024

Application Process

USF welcomes applications from qualified applicants who have knowledge of and experience with individuals representing diverse backgrounds and cultures. Applications should include:

• a letter describing qualifications for the position in each of the above areas;
• current vita;
• unofficial university transcripts; and
• the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of four professional references, including candidate’s most recent supervisor.

All required documents must be uploaded in one attachment.  Position finalists will be required to provide official university transcripts and letters of recommendation from professional references. Letters from references are not required at the time of application. References will not be contacted until the advanced stages of screening, and candidates will receive prior notification.  Please specify Position #4302 on all submitted documents.

Full consideration will be given to complete applications received by 5pm EST on February 15, 2024. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. For more information about the position or application process, please contact Dr. Laura Sabella at Lsabella@usf.edu or Dr. Randi Latzke at [email protected].

How To Apply 

Click on the Apply Now button.  When applying to an opening you will have the opportunity to upload a cover letter and resume.

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above.  YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME, PLUS ANY OTHER REQUESTED MATERIAL, MUST BE IN ONE ATTACHMENT. Only online applications are accepted for this position.

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To request an accommodation with the application or interview process, please contact Central Human Resources by telephone: 813-974-2970 or email [email protected] .

Equal Employment Opportunity 

USF is an equal opportunity, equal access academic institution that embraces diversity in the workplace.

The University of South Florida does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sexual harassment. Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator. Reports may be made at any time either online or directly to the University’s Title IX Coordinator.

USF’s Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Statement .

Federal Rights

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) , Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) .

Work Location 

Campus map and location overview: USF – Tampa Campus

About the College

Home to more than 2,400 students and 125 faculty members, the University of South Florida College of Education values high-quality education and excellence in research, teaching, and learning. The college is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the educator preparation programs are fully approved by the Florida Department of Education. At a time when the skills and pedagogy of classroom teachers and school administrators are more important than ever, the USF College of Education offers state-of-the-art teacher preparation and collaborative and collegial graduate studies designed to empower educational leaders. Working closely with school district partners across the Tampa Bay region, the College seeks to join with the community to extend proven educational initiatives and discover new ways of preparing lifelong learners. The College faculty engage in innovative, interdisciplinary research addressing some of education’s greatest challenges. Our faculty publishes hundreds of scholarly works each year, showcasing our impact in local communities and worldwide.  The College is home to seven (7) Centers and Institutes, including our most recently established School Mental Health Collaborative Center.  Faculty in the College of Education were awarded over $39 million in external funding in FY 2023. The USF College of Education is in the top 100 (#54 for 2023) in overall rankings for “America’s Best Education Schools” and is ranked #43 in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of the best graduate schools in America.

The USF College of Education is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni that honors differences, provides equitable opportunities, fosters mutual respect, challenges stereotyped preconceptions, and condemns all forms of discrimination and prejudice. We respect and appreciate the diversity of human experiences differentiated by, for example, age, ancestry, circumstance, citizenship, culture, disability, ethnicity, family status, gender, language, nationality, political beliefs, race, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic circumstances.

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

Working at USF 

With more than 16,000 employees at USF, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay region.  At USF you will find opportunities to excel in a rich academic environment that fosters the development and advancement of our employees.  We believe in creating a talented, engaged and driven workforce through on-going development and career opportunities. We also offer a first class benefit package that includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, tuition program and generous leave programs and more.

To learn more about working at USF please visit: Work Here. Learn Here. Grow Here .

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