POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction
Elementary Science Education
College of Education and Health Professions
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
The Position: The College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, invites nominations and applications for an Assistant Professor in Elementary Science Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. This is a full time, tenure track faculty position.
The College of Education and Health Professions offers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level with more than 2,800 students pursuing coursework both on and off campus. The College is comprised of six academic units on the Fayetteville campus with academic centers in Little Rock and Hot Springs. More than 200 faculty and staff are helping the College achieve its three broad strategic goals; excellence in teaching, research and service; growth in enrollment and increased diversity; and increased public and private support.
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction is the home for the teacher education and teacher enhancement programs of the College as one of six academic units. In 2001, the Department received the Association Teacher Educatorıs Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award. The Department offers fully accredited degree programs at the B.S.E, M.A.T, M.Ed., M.S., Ed.S. and Ph.D. levels in elementary education, middle level education, secondary and special education with developing specializations in science, mathematics, gifted education and ESL.
Science Education at the University of Arkansas: The Department is in the process of growing its presence and capacity in science education with the addition of several graduate degrees including the M.Ed. with a focus in teacher enhancement and the Ph.D. specialization for those interested in careers as science educators in higher education settings. The successful candidate will be an active participant in the growth of these programs and join other science education faculty, key scientists from departments across the University and colleagues from the NASA-supported Science and Mathematics Teacher Outreach Center. The recent appointment of an endowed position, the Parks Family Professor of Science Education, is evidence of the commitment of the University and College to this exciting new direction.
Duties: The individual selected to fill this position will teach on and off campus in both undergraduate and graduate courses in elementary science education and courses in curriculum and instruction. In addition, the successful candidate will have an opportunity to develop and deliver distance education courses; participate in our internship program; interact with science teachers in local schools; conduct research in the field of elementary science instruction, engage in extramural funding opportunities and advise students.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will:
1) Hold an earned doctoral degree with a focus in elementary science education, or a related field, from a nationally accredited institution;
2) Possess a minimum of three years of teaching experience at the K-8 setting;
3) Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
4) Demonstrate an awareness of, sensitivity toward, and ability to work within a diverse and multicultural educational environment;
5) Ideally have had some experience as an elementary science teaching methods instructor;
6) Demonstrate a willingness to work with public school partners;
7) Have an established or emerging research agenda in some area of science instruction, ideally supported by published contributions or works in press;
8) Have experience in participating in research or outreach projects supported by extra-mural funding.
Appointment and Salary: This is a 9 month, tenure-track position at the rank of assistant professor. The salary is competitive with experience and background commensurate with other major public doctoral degree granting institutions. A generous start up package is available to support and encourage initial scholarly engagement. Contingent on funding and demand, a summer appointment with additional compensation may be available.
Start Date: The desired starting date is August 15, 2007.
University and Location: The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is the principal center of liberal and professional education and is the primary land-grant campus in Arkansas. The University is Arkansası major source of theoretical and applied research and the provider of a wide range of public services to those throughout the state and nation. UA has recently completed a billion dollar fund raising campaign and its endowment continues to grow rapidly to support its increasing initiatives.
Fayetteville is located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains in the northwest corner of the State. This fast growing region is home to the headquarters of some of the nationıs largest companies including Wal-Mart, J.B Hunt and Tyson Foods. The presence of these companies and the employees they have attracted, along with considerable philanthropic support, has produced an infrastructure of services, arts venues, shopping and dining opportunities that rival many much larger cities. Although the metropolitan population of NW Arkansas now exceeds 200,000, a distinctive small town college feel pervades the community. Fayetteville has been featured in numerous publications as a highly desirable place to live and work and recently was named by Money magazine as one the ³100 Best Places to Live² in the country.
Application Procedure: Review of applications will begin on January 31, 2007 but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Candidates are encouraged to notify the chair of the search committee regarding attendance at science education meetings (such as ASTE and NARST) where informal meetings may be arranged in advance of a campus visit. Please send nominations to the address below or apply with a letter of interest (demonstrating how your strengths match the duties and qualifications listed above), two samples of written work, a complete curriculum vita and the names, titles, mail and email addresses and phone numbers of three references along with a note indicating how you are known to these individuals.
Dr. William F. McComas
Chair, Science Education Search Committee
Department of Curriculum and Instruction / PEAH 217
College of Education and Health Professions
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 575-7525 (voice)
(479) 575-6676 (fax)
http://www.scienceeducation.org
The University of Arkansas is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and is committed to achieving diversity (racial, ethnic and gender) in its faculty. The University of Arkansas is especially interested in applications from qualified candidates who would contribute to the racial, ethnic and gender diversity of the College of Education and Health Professions.