Assistant Professor of Early Childhood, School of Education bei Northwest Missouri State University, MO

About the Department

EMPLOYMENT TERMS: Nine-month, tenure-track position

PRIMARY DUTY: This position will teach, conduct research, and contribute service. The faculty member will collaborate and assist in the facilitation and co-evaluation of teacher candidates in clinical field experiences. The faculty member will ensure superior clinical experiences are provided to teacher candidates and work well with school partners and PK-12 teachers to develop mutually co-beneficial, strategic partnerships to grow teacher candidate practicum opportunities.

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide excellent, research-based instruction to undergraduate and graduate students.

2. Teach 12-13 undergraduate or graduate credit hours per trimester in an area of need (PK-12 Education and Graduate Early Childhood Education courses in a variety of formats including online, face-to-face, and/or hybrid/blended, as well as teaching at different sites. Summer teaching (at additional pay) is expected.

3. Provide timely, constructive feedback to undergraduate and graduate students to help them monitor their progress and support learning.

4. Supervise students in clinical field experiences and practicums at various sites.

5. Participate in highly collaborative, professional learning activities with colleagues.

6. Build relationships with school and community members to promote enhanced involvement in educator preparation and support ongoing (and develop new) partnerships.

7. Exhibit skill in development and expansion of mutually co-beneficial PK-12-university partnerships to assist both entities.

8. Actively participate in department, college, and university initiatives to ensure quality programs and state and AAQEP national accreditation and overall excellence in the teacher education program.

9. Advise, recruit and retention of students at the undergraduate and graduate level.

10. Collaborate within School, and with department, college, university faculty and staff, educators in PK-12 environments, and area agencies.

11. Pursue scholarly work at the local, regional, and national levels.

12. Attend and participate in bi-annual School of Education Advisory Council Meetings.

13. Supervise, coach, mentor, and support teacher candidates in clinical practicum experiences while partnering with Leet Center teachers on program development and research.

14. Exhibit strong skills in educational technology (Zoom, Canvas, email, and others), scholarly research, and collaboration.

15. Assist with university and program accreditation (HLC, AAQEP, Missouri DESE, and/or other).

16. Perform other duties and tasks as required of all faculty in the School of Education.

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Earned doctorate or ABD in Education: Early Childhood Education with at least 18 graduate hours in a field or sub-field of education (Early Childhood); Must furnish evidence of completed doctorate by beginning of teaching responsibilities

Certification/License: State-level teacher certification with the ability to successfully transfer to Missouri; Driver’s license

Experience: Successful experience in Early Childhood/Elementary/Middle School/K-12 and/or Secondary Education in PK-12 education settings

Skills: Effective communication skills; Collaboration skills; Ability to work well with others toward common goals; Strong organizational skills; Attentiveness to detail

Other Qualifications

WORKING CONDITIONS: Collaborative team-based academic environment in a teacher education program at a regional, comprehensive University

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Will supervise teacher candidates, practicum students, and graduate assistants

EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS USED: Canvas Learning Management System, Zoom, Interactive SMART Boards, iPads, laptop computers, document cameras, email, and emerging technologies

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to complete essential classroom functions and lift up to 20 pounds

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: Willing to be able to acquire/maintain required travel credentials and participate in international study with faculty and teacher candidates

COMMUNITY: Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri, a community of 12,000 with a diverse economy and a strong industrial base. Maryville is located 45 miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri, 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri, and 110 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska. For more information visit the city’s website at www.maryville.org.

UNIVERSITY: With an enrollment of about 9,000 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus and through Northwest Online.

Founded in 1905 and ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top public regional universities in the Midwest, Northwest boasts a high retention rate and a graduation rate in the 95th percentile among its peers. Additionally, results of the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers, and 78 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their University experience, compared to 75 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions.

Furthermore, the University is a national model for student success and career placement with 93 percent of bachelor’s degree earners and 99 percent of master’s degree earners securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data.

Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers while maintaining competitive tuition rates and generous financial assistance to help minimize the financial barriers students may face when pursuing a college degree.

Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area, a partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency. In conjunction with its emergency and disaster management program, Northwest organizes and hosts Missouri Hope, an annual mass casualty training exercise that attracts first responders and emergency workers from throughout the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation for a natural disaster.

The University’s vibrant and diverse learning community also offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, saving students an estimated $6,900 over four years. Northwest offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program.

For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The search committee will begin review of the applications immediately and the position will remain open until filled

DATE AVAILABLE: August 2026

APPLICATION MATERIALS: Cover letter, vita, transcripts (copies are acceptable at the time of application), and the contact information of three references

TO APPLY: Follow the steps of the online application process. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at 660-562-1121 or email [email protected] if more information is needed regarding the process.