Director, Academic Support #605290

Job Description

The Director of the Professional Education Programs (PEP) and Student Teaching manages and supports the mission of the unit that serves NAU 20 initial teacher preparation programs leading to certification. The position reports to the College of Education Associate Dean for Assessment and Accreditation and collaborates with the Associate Deans and program leadership for these nationally accredited, state approved degree programs offered by five NAU colleges. The Director oversees securing individual classroom placements and documenting certification requirements for approximately 550 to 600 student teachers annually requiring fostering partnerships with more than 100 PK-12 school partners statewide. Typically, 750 placements are made each year due to multiple degree programs requiring two placements. The Director oversees decisions related to approximately 140 Special Requests annually from students seeking out of state or international placements as well as other allowed accommodations. The Director also supports approximately 40 students each year in meeting state requirements who are hired as the teacher of record while concurrently completing student teaching. The Director manages and supervises 3 full-time PEP staff members and 3 to 4 Graduate Assistants, approximately 90 part-time faculty members who serve as student teaching university supervisors and/or assessment evaluators, and 750 classroom mentor teachers who work with an NAU student teacher on a daily basis. The Director is also responsible for managing the student teaching instructional materials, course assessment requirements, and grades for more than 16 required student teaching courses that are offered each fall and spring. In conjunction with program faculty, college leadership, and PEP data reporting and assessment staff, this position is responsible for managing and updating the curricula for these 16 student teaching courses each semester, which includes approximately 325 BbLearn course sections each year. The Director creates and delivers multiple in-person and virtual trainings annually regarding student teaching expectations for student teacher candidates, university supervisors and evaluators, and mentor teachers. The Director is the primary point of contact for: 1) district or school concerns, 2) conflict resolution involving the school personnel, university supervisor, and/or student, 3) student teachers struggling in relation to content and pedagogical knowledge, 4) student teachers struggling due to an emotional or other issue, and 5) questions or concerns from part-time faculty serving as an university supervisor or assessment evaluator. This position requires online and/or travel to various school sites throughout the state of Arizona when necessary to address concerns. The Director maintains a working knowledge of policies and procedures related to university, state, and national accreditation requirements, including the Model Code of Ethics for Educators. The Director maintains communications and collaborates with student teaching directors at other Arizona institutions in relation to implementing teacher preparation certification rules. The Director works with the COE Associate Dean for Assessment and Accreditation and Business Manager to establish the unit’s annual budget and serves on a variety of committees including the PEP Initial Teacher Preparation Coordinating Council and associated sub-committees, COE/CSTL Practicum, PEP Advisors, and various campus or college committees as requested.

Essential Position Responsibilities

• Accountable for the success of 500-600 student teachers each academic year in the 20 Professional Education Programs responding to performance and disposition concerns along with mentor relationship issues to help resolve conflicts or concerns.
• Directs policies and programs and carries out the goals related to university, state, and national accreditation requirements, including the Model Code of Ethics for Educators through coordination with appointed representatives from each of the five NAU colleges associated with initial teacher preparation.
• Directs policies and carries out goals for students to graduate from programs with Arizona teacher certification by meeting program requirements for 750 placements each year to include special policies and procedures for the Internship programs, out-of-state student teaching, and special placement requests
• Directs the development, implementation, and success of student teaching through 16 courses leading to 325 sections of student teaching each year working with 100 PK-12 districts/school, 90 part-time faculty (university field representatives), and 750 classroom teachers.
• Manages the student teaching instructional materials, course assessment requirements, and grades for more than 16 required student teaching courses and 155 course sections offered each fall and spring.
• Oversees program operations including budgets, personnel management and development including structure and working strategies, and quality management working directly with the Associate Dean for Assessment and Accreditation and Business Manager.
• Applies awareness of trends and changes with the teaching profession to provide opportunities for best practice in the field, provides direction on design and development activities to improve, modify, or design new processes for supporting student teachers through annual trainings, surveys, virtual and in-person workshops, and student teaching orientations.
• Develops and maintains departmental strategic plans and budget meeting with the Associate Dean of Assessment and Accreditation to review goals and projections each quarter.
• Analyzes data to evaluate the efficiency of day to day tasks within the departments and ensures all objectives are being met. Determines outcomes and gives guidance to subordinates on how to meet goals.
• Authorizes, within parameters, necessary actions to remove obstacles to success when staff, part-time faculty and evaluators present new ways of meeting goals and providing support to all student teachers.
• Applies awareness of budget to assign part-time faculty to 500-600 student teachers each semester who are in field placements throughout Arizona while maintaining state and national policies for appropriate assignments.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• 3-5 years of supervisory experience required
• 5-7 years of relevant experience.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Office of Equity and Access at: 928-523-3312/TDD - 928-523-1006 or PO Box 4083, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.