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The Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University (MSU), a national leader in teacher preparation and research on teaching, teacher learning, curriculum, policy, and international education, is seeking a tenure-system assistant professor faculty member in elementary (K-8) social studies education. Potential areas of interest within elementary social studies education include: curriculum and pedagogy; student learning; teacher education; international, transnational, and global approaches to citizenship education; diversity and inclusion issues, including teaching social studies to English Language Learners and special needs students; social justice education; and urban/multicultural education. This is an academic year position with a proposed starting date of August 16, 2015.

All applicants will be reviewed for potential fit with programs within the department and college, and with institutional needs and opportunities. Since 1995, MSU’s graduate programs in elementary and secondary education have been ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report. The Department of Teacher Education has an exemplary teacher preparation program (including robust cohorts in Urban Education and Global Education). We have a large, online master’s program in Teaching and Curriculum, and a nationally ranked doctoral program that provides extensive funding for students and prepares them to become outstanding leaders in their fields. The successful candidate will have opportunities to engage in research and teaching related to social studies education, as well as to collaborate with nationally recognized faculty in research and program development in a wide range of areas, including interdisciplinary projects with other departments and colleges. The successful candidate will join a group of active scholars in social studies education in MSU’s Department of Teacher Education.

Major responsibilities

The successful candidate will conduct research and inquiry; seek and obtain external funding; teach undergraduate, masters, and doctoral courses; advise doctoral students, lead or support program development (including collaborating with or mentoring other faculty); and participate in service and outreach activities. Additional duties will vary depending on departmental placement, university and academic unit education needs, and the candidate’s experience and interests. There will be opportunities to collaborate with other faculty in ongoing projects, and to be involved in continuing efforts to foster collaborations among the College of Education, other departments and units across campus, and the K-12 community.

Qualifications

Applicants should have earned a relevant doctoral degree or show evidence that their degree will be completed by August, 2015. Preferred applicants will have at least two years of K-8 teaching experience. Applicants should provide information about the following:

1. area of expertise in elementary (K-8) social studies education
2. record of or potential for significant accomplishments in elementary social studies research on one or more of topics listed in first paragraph of this description
3. experience or interest in working with prospective and practicing elementary teachers in linguistically, culturally and economically diverse settings
4. record of or potential for obtaining and leading funded research projects
5. experience or desire to work with diverse and/or underserved populations
6. interest in educational research training and development of social studies scholars
7. ability to collaborate with faculty to contribute to existing strengths and initiatives in areas such as teacher preparation and induction, global education, urban education and diversity, and/or educational applications of technology

Application and Deadline:

Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and two to three examples of scholarship and names and contact information of three references to: jobs.msu.edu, posting number 0057. We invite inquiries from potentially interested candidates to any of the search committee members: Dr. Anne-Lise Halvorsen—chair (annelise@msu.edu), Dr. Christina Schwarz (cschwarz@msu.edu), Dr. Rebecca Jacobsen (rjacobs@msu.edu), Dr. Cynthia Okolo (okolo@msu.edu), or Dr. Avner Segall (avner@msu.edu). Review of applications will begin October 31, 2014 and will continue until the position is filled.

Please see our department website (www.education.msu.edu/te/) and College website (www.educ.msu.edu/) for information. Michigan State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. The university actively encourages applications from women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.