Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education

Department: Education
Position: Full-time (10-month), tenure-track position with complete benefit package
Salary: Negotiable within the range established in the Collective Bargaining Agreement ($44,000-$54,000)
Union Affiliation: MFPE
Posting Date: December 2020
Start Date: August 1, 2021

Description

As a leader and innovator in experiential education, the University of Montana Western educates undergraduate students through immersive practices in their field of study, strives for continuous improvement, and achieves evidence-supported student learning and achievement outcomes.

Montana Western is the first and only U.S. public university to offer Experience One (X1), a block scheduling system grounded in experiential learning. Students take one course at a time, three hours a day for 18 days, then move on to the next course. By concentrating on one course at a time, students can maximize their potential for success through Experience One. The X1 model engages students and faculty in actively exploring the knowledge, purposes, and authentic disciplinary practices of every field of study through experiential learning environments where students take an active role in their own learning. Additionally, the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program at Montana Western offers a fully online program which emphasizes experiential learning in traditional semester-long courses. The ECE program has a rich history within the University of Montana Western, and is the largest program of its kind in the state of Montana.

The Education Division at the University of Montana Western is seeking a dynamic, passionate, innovative educator in the field of early childhood educator preparation. The University of Montana Western values diversity, and applicants from diverse backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in early childhood education in both distance and face-to-face formats. This position requires collaborative work with university faculty and staff, as well as with field teachers from rural and urban PreK-3 schools. Faculty responsibilities include teaching, advising, scholarly activities, and professional service. Education programs at Montana Western are grounded in constructivist theory, with an emphasis on experiential education and the application of research into practice.

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate will:

Hold an earned doctorate in early childhood education or related area—strong ABD candidates may be considered.
Have a minimum of three years’ experience teaching in an early childhood and/or public school (PreK – 3) setting.
Demonstrate experience in distance education delivery.
Provide evidence of a history of service and use of experiential and constructivist teaching methods.
Provide evidence of, or potential for, scholarly work.
Provide evidence of collaborative work in higher education, early childhood, and/or public school settings.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous successful teaching in higher education as evidenced by student evaluations and experience in distance education delivery.

Application

Application materials should include a letter of interest responding to this position description, a curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts, evaluations of teaching and contact information of at least three (3) current professional references. Application materials should be sent via email to:

Patti Lake
Personnel Officer
The University of Montana Western
710 South Atlantic Street
Dillon, MT 59725
patricia.lake@umwestern.edu

Inquiries can be addressed to Dr. Nanci Red Bird at (406) 683-7046 or by email to nanci.redbird@umwestern.edu. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The University & Dillon Area

The University of Montana Western is a dynamic, innovative, undergraduate university with over 65 full-time faculty and 1,300 students. It is located in Dillon, Montana in the scenic Rocky Mountains and has been awarded numerous top national rankings for delivering high quality, affordable education.

Montana Western is the only public four-year college in the nation offering Experience One (X1), experiential learning delivered on the block schedule. Class sizes are small and students take a single course at a time, three hours each day for 18 days, before moving on to the next course. Each course is four credits and four blocks are offered each semester. The block schedule facilitates field and lab work, undergraduate research, study travel, and interdisciplinary teaching. Montana Western’s faculty strongly believe in mentoring and inspiring students and assisting them in the transition from university life to professional careers.

The University of Montana Western is an integral part of the Dillon Community. With a population of 5,000 people, Dillon is known for outstanding public schools, safe environments, recreational opportunities, and an excellent quality of life.

The University of Montana Western is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from qualified women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities. Qualified candidates may request veterans‚ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. Finalists for any position will be subject to a criminal background investigation.