Instructor OR Assistant Professor of Early Childhood, School of Education

EMPLOYMENT TERMS: Non-tenure track – Instructor; Tenure track – Assistant Professor

PRIMARY DUTY: The Instructor OR Assistant Professor will teach, conduct research, and contribute service. This position will collaborate and assist in the facilitation and co-evaluation of teacher candidates in clinical field experiences, including with school partners and our on-campus laboratory school, Horace Mann/Leet Center.

AREAS OF NEED: The School of Education is seeking a reflective educator with a strong background in general Early Childhood Education and Educator Preparation.

· Early Childhood Education (priority-must have appropriate credentialing and degree attainment)

· In addition to Early Childhood Education, experience and credentialing in these areas would be ideal, though not required:

o Special Education

o Educational Diagnostician

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide excellent, research-based instruction to undergraduate students.

2. Teach 12-13 undergraduate credit hours per trimester in an area of need (PK-12 Education and Graduate Early Childhood Education courses in a variety of formats including online, face-to-face, and/or hybrid/blended, as well as teaching at different sites. Summer teaching (at additional pay) is expected.

3. Provide timely, constructive feedback to undergraduate students to help them monitor their progress and support learning.

4. Supervise students in clinical field experiences and practicums at various sites.

5. Participate in highly collaborative, professional learning activities with colleagues.

6. Build relationships with school and community members to promote enhanced involvement in educator preparation and support ongoing (and develop new) partnerships.

7. Exhibit skill in development and expansion of mutually co-beneficial PK-12-university partnerships to assist both entities.

8. Actively participate in department, college, and university initiatives to ensure quality programs and state and AAQEP national accreditation and overall excellence in the teacher education program.

9. Advise, recruit and retention of students at the undergraduate and graduate level.

10. Collaborate within School, and with department, college, university faculty and staff, educators in PK-12 environments, and area agencies.

11. Attend and participate in bi-annual School of Education Advisory Council Meetings.

12. Supervise, coach, mentor, and support teacher candidates in clinical practicum experiences while partnering with Leet Center Laboratory School faculty on program development and research.

13. Exhibit strong skills in educational technology (Zoom, Canvas, email, and others), scholarly research, and collaboration.

14. Assist with university and program accreditation (HLC, AAQEP, Missouri DESE, and/or other).

15. Perform other duties and tasks as required of all faculty in the School of Education.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Instructor – Master’s/Specialist degree with commitment to pursue an educational doctorate or PhD in Education; At least 18 successfully completed graduate hours in a field or sub-field will be required by the start date

Education: Assistant Professor – Educational Doctorate or PhD in Education

Certification/License: Driver’s license; State-level teacher certification with the ability to successfully transition to Missouri

Experience: Successful experience in Early Childhood/Elementary/Middle School/K-12 and/or Secondary education in PK-12 education settings

Skills: Evidence of teaching skills; effective communication skills; collaboration skills; ability to work well with others toward common goals; strong organizational skills; attentiveness to detail

WORKING CONDITIONS: Collaborative team-based academic environment in a teacher education program in a regional, comprehensive University

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Will supervise teacher candidates, practicum students, and graduate assistants

EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS USED: Canvas Learning Management System, Zoom, Interactive SMART boards, iPads, laptop computers document cameras, email, emerging technologies

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to complete essential classroom functions and lift up to 20 pounds

COMMUNITY: Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri, a community of 12,000 with a diverse economy and a strong industrial base. Maryville is located 45 miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri, 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri, and 110 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska. For more information visit the city’s website at www.maryville.org.

UNIVERSITY: With an enrollment of about 9,000 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus and through Northwest Online.

Founded in 1905 and ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top public regional universities in the Midwest, Northwest boasts a high retention rate and a graduation rate in the 95th percentile among its peers. Additionally, results of the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction

Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers, and 78 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their University experience, compared to 75 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions.

Furthermore, the University is a national model for student success and career placement with 93 percent of bachelor’s degree earners and 99 percent of master’s degree earners securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data.

Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers while maintaining competitive tuition rates and generous financial assistance to help minimize the financial barriers students may face when pursuing a college degree.

Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area, a partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency. In conjunction with its emergency and disaster management program, Northwest organizes and hosts Missouri Hope, an annual mass casualty training exercise that attracts first responders and emergency workers from throughout the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation for a natural disaster.

The University’s vibrant and diverse learning community also offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, saving students an estimated $6,900 over four years. Northwest offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program.

For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The search committee will begin review of applications immediately and the position will remain open until filled

DATE AVAILABLE: August 2026

TO APPLY: Follow the steps of the online application process. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at 660-562-1121 or email ewilmes@nwmissouri.edu if more information is needed regarding the process.

APPLICATION MATERIALS: You will need a cover letter, resume and the contact information of three references to accompany your online application in order for your materials to be complete.