Assistant Professor of Practice of Elementary Social Studies Education

Assistant Professor of Practice of Elementary Social Studies Education, School of Education

The Department of Teaching and Learning in the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Education (SOE prepares educators for schools, government agencies, and for-profit and non-profit organizations in the Commonwealth. Involving the area of social studies education, we have undergraduate programs (B.S.Ed.) in Early Childhood and Teaching (PK-3) and Elementary Education and Teaching (PK-6). Our Master’s programs involving social studies education include Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.), and Secondary History/Social Studies (Education M.T). We also have a Teaching Elementary Education graduate certificate and a Ph.D. in Education in Curriculum, Culture, and Change, a concentration that merges social foundations, curriculum and instruction, and teacher education.
The School of Education (SOE) is committed to excellence in the initial preparation and continuing development of professionals for leadership, teaching, service and scholarly inquiry in culturally diverse settings across the life span. Our mission and values are grounded in and committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement.

Purpose of this position:
The purpose of this position is to sustain and grow existing programs in elementary education by enhancing our focus on elementary social studies education. This will include working with colleagues in the SOE and across the university to promote the preparation of educators who are responsive to the dynamic needs of diverse learners including students from historically minoritized groups.

Position Responsibilities:
We seek to hire an assistant professor of practice (appointment stream), who has significant public school teaching experience. This position will blend a focus on teaching, program leadership, and service. The successful candidate will work with colleagues in other content areas (e.g., literacy, mathematics) to co-lead elementary teacher preparation programs. This work will include sustaining and growing traditional on campus instruction, online education, teacher residency, and apprenticeship models. This position will be twelve months and will have a 4-4-2 teaching load.

Required Qualifications:
•A doctorate in social studies education or related discipline earned or expected by August 2025;
•Clear evidence of professional experience teaching elementary social studies in public schools;
•Commitment to preparing undergraduate and graduate students for work in urban settings with individuals in communities who have been historically marginalized, utilizing a culturally responsive lens;
•Demonstrated professional work advancing access, equity, and inclusive excellence for individuals from historically marginalized and underrepresented minority populations, particularly those living in poverty and/or those that serve them;
•Demonstrated experience and commitment working in and fostering a diverse and inclusive faculty, staff, and student environment; and
•Experience working collaboratively with colleagues and community.

Preferred Qualifications:
•Experience teaching university courses in elementary social studies education;
•At least three years of experience teaching in PK12 schools;
•Experience with residency or apprenticeship models of teacher preparation; and
•Experience supervising student teachers/field experiences.

At Virginia Commonwealth University, we are UNcommon in learning, research, creativity, service, and discovery for our students, staff, faculty and community members. We create UNcommon opportunities and strive for UNmatched excellence. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work. VCU also has excellent research/grant technical support.

Application Process:
To be considered for this position, application materials must be submitted online through the VCU Talent@VCU Recruitment application process (https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home?c=vcu) and must include all of the following documents:
•Cover letter of application addressing the qualifications
•Curriculum vitae
•Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Specific questions regarding this position should be directed to a search co-chair, Gabriel Reich, via email (greich@vcu.edu) or Melinda VanDevelder, via email (vandeveldermj@vcu.edu).

Salary Range: $75,000 - $85,000

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.