South Dakota State University Looking for Instructor in Early Childhood Education at Brookgs, SD Full Time

The School of Education, Counseling, and Human Development at South Dakota State University (SDSU) is seeking qualified candidates for a full-time, benefit-eligible, 9-month position with the rank of Instructor in Early Childhood Education. As an Instructor in the Teacher Education, CAEP accredited program, this individual will work collaboratively with other faculty and support the student-success mission of the program, department, college, and university. This dynamic individual will be expected to teach Early Childhood Education undergraduate courses, with a particular emphasis on mentoring teacher candidates in their residency/student teaching placements. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in early childhood settings (including but not exclusive to child care, preschool, and elementary schools, K-3^rd grade) by developing and using highly effective teaching strategies to positively support students. The start date is August 22, 2023. The position is supervised by the Director of the School of Education, Counseling, and Human Development.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant mission of access.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach, mentor, and coach undergraduates enrolled in the early childhood education teacher preparation program. 
• Supervise teacher candidates in field placements that may include practicum and student teaching/residency experiences in Brookings and regional school districts.
• Assist the Field Placement Coordinator with practicum and student teaching placements and maintain positive relationships with field placement settings.
• Plan, organize, and design instructional materials to meet course objectives and program needs.
• Participate in curriculum development and revision.
• Participate in departmental recruiting and retention activities.
• Participate in a variety of discipline, departmental, college/school-wide, and campus programs and general service activities.
• Foster a safe environment that respects the variety of people and ideas by modeling respect for all students and conveying confidence in every student’s ability to learn.
• Contribute and promote collaboration in academic, school districts, and professional communities.
• Contribute and collaborate with ECE and departmental faculty and staff and participate in meetings and activities assigned and non-assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Education by the position start date.
• Minimum of three years of experience teaching in early childhood (birth-age 8) settings, including child care, preschool, and elementary schools.
• Demonstrated evidence of excellence in teaching children ages Birth-8 years.
• Demonstrated evidence of excellence in coaching or mentoring early childhood educators.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues within and across disciplines. 
• Valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, and willingness to travel
• Experience working with and enriching heterogenous populations of students.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of three years of experience teaching early childhood aged children, birth- age 8.
• Experience teaching educator preparation courses in a college setting.
• Experience with field placement experiences in an educator preparation program.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum planning and course development.

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications.

BENEFITS:

South Dakota State University offers a wide range of benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

UNIVERSITY /COMMUNITY:

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with more than 200 academic programs, an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students, and over $60 million annual research expenditures. Teacher Education and Educational Administration programs are located in the College of Education and Human Sciences. The College houses 15 majors and 22 minors and serves roughly 2,200 students each year. 

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Brookings is listed as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees, and is rated among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.

SDSU is home to the Fishback Center for Early Childhood Education which serves children ages 15 months to -6 years and includes a Brookings School District kindergarten classroom. The Fishback Center is the primary placement for early childhood practicum students. The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school, and a high school.

Learn more about Brookings by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT8OnH5eIgQ&feature=youtu.be.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by January 20, 2023.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

SDSU accepts applications through an online employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” The system will guide you through the electronic application form. The employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, Teaching Philosophy Statement (no more than 3 pages, attached as Other), and reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 or [email protected] if you require assistance with this process. 

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is university policy to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14. 

For questions on the position, contact Mary Bowne at [email protected] or 605-688-5989.