26-32 Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Early and Middle Grades Education presso West Chester University, PA

About the Department

Join a vibrant, equity-minded campus community whose excellence is reflected in its community, cultural engagement, and student success. The Department of Early and Middle Grades Education invites applicants for a full-time, Tenure-Track, Assistant Professor of Elementary Education position. This position begins in August 2026.

West Chester University (WCU), a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate, and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. The University offers more than 100 graduate and undergraduate programs in the sciences and mathematics, business and public management, arts and humanities, health sciences, education and social work, music, and interdisciplinary studies. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

The mission of the Department of Early and Middle Grades Education, part of the College of Education and Social Work, is to support the preparation and professional development of pre-and in-service teachers. This is achieved by creating an environment that fosters active, collaborative, constructive, and continuous quality learning experiences. The experiences are responsive to context, valuable to all learners, and contribute to the development of informed citizens. The faculty is dedicated to improving educational practice, advancing educational knowledge, and supporting the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that characterize educators who are passionate in their commitment to improving the life chances of children, adolescents, and their families. Learn more about West Chester University’s Early and Middle Grades Education program.

The faculty position involves teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses that may be offered in-person, online, and/or hybrid during the day or evening in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. The ideal candidate will use innovative teaching skills and demonstrate attention to the learning and teaching needs of the department’s students. The incumbent will supervise field courses that will involve travelling to a variety of diverse school communities ensuring robust experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students. The ideal candidate’s experience, expertise, and specialized training will serve to strengthen departments on and off campus efforts. The faculty member will collaborate with other departmental faculty and staff to ensure student success. The incumbent will complete a distance education training program within the first two years of employment.

Responsibilities include:

• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses (in-person, online, hybrid, and/or off-campus during daytime or evening hours) in the Early Grades program. Additional courses within area(s) of specialization may be assigned based on department needs. Faculty teaching assignments include 12 credits of coursework per semester, as assigned by the Early and Middle Grades department chair and approved by the Dean
• Supervise field experience courses and student teaching in K-8 classrooms, which includes traveling to a variety of diverse school communities and collaborating with teachers to provide high-quality experiences for undergraduate and graduate students
• Engage in scholarly activities such as research, presentations, publications and grant writing
• Serve the University and the community through participation in various committees
• Mentor and advise students
• Perform other duties as assigned

Position Duties

• A doctorate in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or closely related field. ABD may be considered - must be completed on or before December 2026
• A minimum of three years full-time teaching experience as the general education classroom teacher of record in schools with children between PreK-grade eight
• Teaching certification (current or expired) in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education. Please note this is not a Secondary Education position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Five or more years of elementary classroom teaching; and/or
• Experience teaching in diverse settings or teaching diverse learners; and/or
• Experience teaching early childhood or elementary courses at a university or higher education setting; and/or
• Experience mentoring or working with pre-service and/or in-service teachers; and/or
• Experience supervising pre-service teachers in field placements in programs and schools PreK to Grade 6; and/or
• Experience teaching at a public school in the United States; and/or
• Experience teaching and/or providing instructional learning online; and/or
• Record of scholarly presentations and publications; and/or 
• Record of serving university, school district, and/or education profession through participation in various committees; and/or
• Experience authoring or co-authoring grant funding for professional activities

Other Qualifications

West Chester University of Pennsylvania offers highly competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

Apply online at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/wcupa. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Applicants must successfully complete the application, interview process, research presentation, and teaching demonstration to be considered as a finalist.

Required Documents for Consideration

• Cover Letter/Letter of Interest including your philosophy of education and how it might align with the mission and vision of West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s College of Education and Social Work and Department of Early and Middle Grades Education
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of three references with contact information (Name, email, and telephone number)
• Copies of professional elementary or early childhood teaching certifications
• Unofficial transcript (Official transcripts will be needed for final consideration)
• Service Statement (see below):

West Chester University is a community of educators that develops graduates to succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

WCU GRADUATES WILL:

• Apply scientific reasoning and demonstrate quantitative and qualitative literacy
• Collaborate with others to solve problems and address societal needs
• Communicate effectively and participate in civic discourse
• Engage inclusively in a diverse society
• Understand the ethical implications of decisions and the world in which they live

INSTITUTIONAL GOALS:

To fulfill its mission as a public institution serving the Commonwealth, West Chester University will focus on student success and institutional improvement as measured by the degree to which WCU demonstrates:

• Access to learning
• Community and cultural engagement
• Continuous improvement
• Critical thinking
• Inclusion
• Scholarly and creative activities
• Sustainability

Given this, please select from one of the prompts below to create a service statement (no more than 1 page)

Engagement with the Campus Community

• Describe your efforts to create an inclusive and supportive campus environment for all students, faculty, and staff. How have you contributed to fostering a sense of belonging in your department or institution?

 Mentorship and Student Support

• How have you worked to support and mentor students with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives? Share specific examples of how you have helped students navigate challenges in their academic or professional journeys.

 Outreach and Community Involvement

• Discuss your experiences working with community organizations, schools, or educational programs that aim to expand access to higher education. How have you helped ensure broader participation in your field?

Pedagogical and Curricular Contributions

• How have you contributed to developing curricula, programs, or initiatives that are accessible and relevant to a broad range of students? Provide examples of how you have designed or implemented courses that engage with multiple perspectives.

 Professional Development and Collaboration

• Reflect on your participation in initiatives, committees, or professional development activities that aim to create a welcoming academic environment. How have you collaborated with colleagues to enhance student success and engagement?

 Research and Scholarship Impact

• In what ways has your research or scholarly work contributed to increasing opportunities, perspectives, and voices in your field? Describe any projects or initiatives aimed at broadening participation, access or engagement.

All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all preemployment criminal background checks.

Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances West Chester University’s educational mission. West Chester University is an Affirmative Action – Equal Opportunity Employer.