Assistant Professor of Literacy, Language, and Culture

Do you specialize in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)? Do you seek to offer professional development opportunities to pre-service and in-service teachers who work with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners? Do you enjoy teaching undergraduate and graduate courses that focus on ESL/EFL/ENL/EAL/EAP literacy, multicultural education, applied linguistics, and TESOL methods and research? If so, here is a unique and rare opportunity to join our team.

The Department of Literacy, Language, and Culture in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Southern Maine is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor with expertise in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The Assistant Professor will teach graduate courses in the online and blended MSEd in TESOL programs, the campus-based initial K-12 English as a Second Language certification pathway, and undergraduate and graduate courses in TESOL to teacher candidates in general education certification pathways.

The University of Southern Maine (USM) is the intellectual, cultural, and economic heart of Maine. Over 60 languages are spoken within an hour’s drive of our three campuses in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston. Our faculty are dedicated researchers and experts in their fields, including multiple recipients of national grants, awards, and fellowships. State, national, and global partnerships are steps from our campuses. The University of Southern Maine provides promising students access to rigorous, inquiry-based teaching and learning fueled by research, innovation, and engagement with local, national, and global partners. Portland Maine’s metro area is home to over half a million people with a lively, livable community, nationally known for its arts and culture, outdoor recreation, beautiful beaches, and amazing food.

The successful candidate will teach a range of courses in TESOL, conduct TESOL research, advise graduate students, and provide service to the program, university, community, and profession. New faculty receive release time for a robust University wide orientation in their first semester. Ongoing support includes: a faculty mentorship program, professional development, available support for research and use of technology.  

This position will join our USM community that lives the service promise, Student Focused Every Day.  We are looking for colleagues who will support our values: Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.  Our office is located on the Gorham campus and serves three unique and diverse campuses – Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston/Auburn.

We are committed to building a culturally diverse team of leaders, faculty, and staff. We welcome applicants who are multilingual. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Required Qualifications

• Applicants will have earned, at a minimum, a PhD/EdD in TESOL; literacy, language, and culture; curriculum and instruction; applied linguistics; or a related field by time of appointment.
• Experience teaching ESL in U.S. public schools or an internationally U.S. accredited public school is required.
• Experience teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in TESOL is required.

The University of Southern Maine provides a highly competitive benefits package that includes: holidays, vacation and sick time; health, dental and vision insurance; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; a tuition waiver program for employee and eligible dependents; a 403(b) retirement plan; and more.

Benefits Information Summary

This position will be based on our USM Gorham campus (travel to other USM campuses in Portland and Lewiston may be required, as well as some other in-state travel as necessary).

Want to know more about employment, benefits and local resources? Our Employment webpage has additional information to help you become more familiar with developing a new career at USM as well as exploring everything the greater Southern Maine area has to offer.

To Apply:

Apply online at https://usm.hiretouch.com/view-all-jobs. You will need to create an applicant profile and complete an application. You will also need to upload the following:

Required Documents: 

• Cover letter (including your philosophy of teaching Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners). Also, if you have experience in any of the following, please speak to it in your cover letter:
  • 1) expertise in ESL curriculum, instruction, and assessment,
  • 2) expertise in TESOL research;
  • 3) expertise in teaching online or blended courses,
  • 4) experience teaching ESL/EFL overseas.
• CV
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references

All required materials must be submitted by May 10, 2021.

Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.

The University of Southern Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, please contact: Equal Opportunity Office, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME  04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).