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About Westfield State University: In 1839, Westfield State University was founded on the ideals of Horace Mann who sought to improve society through education. We were the first public education institution without barrier to race, gender or economic class. The spirit of innovative thinking and social responsibility is forged in a curriculum of liberal arts and professional studies contributing to the development of knowledge, skills, and character essential for students to become responsible leaders and engaged citizens. Westfield State is a highly residential campus with approximately 55% of our 3,100 full-time undergraduate students living on campus. The campus is ideally situated on the edge of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts just 30 minutes from the thriving cultural centers of Springfield, Northampton, and Amherst with a selection of museums, theater, collegiate and minor league sports, hiking trails, and restaurants. The University is within 1.5 hours of Boston and Albany and within 3 hours of New York City and the Green Mountain range of Vermont. Thank You for Your Interest in Becoming a Westfield State Community Member You are welcome here. You can advance your career and make a difference here. We invite you to bring your whole self and talents to Westfield State University. The University seeks applicants whose record of teaching, student advising, research, and administration positions them to contribute to the everyday practice of our institutional values. Our Values Westfield State commits to values that strengthen a common bond among all members of our community and promotes a rich campus environment.
- Embrace Diversity - We treat all members of our community with dignity and respect.
- Maintain Excellence and Integrity - We maintain excellence and integrity in all that we do.
- Collaborate with Each Other - We make decisions in a transparent and collaborative manner.
- Provide Accessible Education - We commit to providing an accessible, affordable public higher education for all.
- Build a Strong Community - We are inclusive and ensure equity, supporting the personal development of all community members, and embracing multiple perspectives.
- Engage the Outside Community - We support civic engagement in local, regional, and global initiatives.
Job Description: Campus Title: Assistant/Associate Professor of Education: Early Education-Special Ed State Job Title: Assistant/Associate Professor Department: Education Job Code: HA3200 FLSA Status: Exempt Funding: 7115-0100 Bargaining Unit: MSCA Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent, Tenure Track Timeframe: Academic Year Shift: Regular Academic Class Schedule Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday Supervision Received: Reports directly to the chair of the Education Department Supervision Exercised: None Salary: $68,000 to $95,000 Annually (salary commensurate with education and experience) General Statement of Duties: The Education Department is seeking an outstanding and engaged teacher/scholar for a Full-Time, Tenure-Track position at the Assistant/Associate Professor level effective September 1, 2025. Successful candidates will teach courses within the Early Childhood and Moderate Disabilities Program according to candidate specialization and departmental need. Courses in our program align with our teacher education program's foundational pillars and Massachusetts' Professional Standards for Teachers and Subject Matter Knowledge expectations. For a list of courses, please see the WSU Bachelor of Science in Education webpage: Candidates with expertise in Early Childhood Education will be considered, especially those with experience in Early Childhood Special Education. Duties and Responsibilities: Duties include but not limited to:
- Teach foundational and pedagogical courses, including Early Education and Care, Language Development and Emergent Literacy, Early Intervention, and foundational Special Education courses.
- Teach at the undergraduate level, advise undergraduates, and participate actively in the university community.
- Participate in program development and engagement with the local and state level Early Education and Care community to develop more opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in Early Education and Care.
- Engage in the department-wide anti-racism education work that seeks to promote the development and expansion of faculty and students' knowledge, and understandings in applying critical theories and culturally sustaining practices. Westfield State University's Education Department is committed to anti-racist pedagogy and practices that guide our department's fundamental beliefs in critical engagement with diversity, social justice, community building, scholarly inquiry, and critical reflective practice.
- Westfield State University is proud to be a teaching university; faculty are encouraged to develop innovative pedagogy for the classroom.
- The teaching load is 24 credits each year, typically 12 credits each semester.
- Provide excellence in teaching across different modalities including face-to-face, online, and hybrid classes.
- In addition to the development and teaching of undergraduate courses, faculty are expected to engage in scholarly activity, which can take many different forms.
- Faculty provide academic advising and other support to students. Opportunities to advise student research are available and encouraged.
- Faculty are also expected to offer service to the department, university, and community.
Requirements: Required Qualifications:
- Earned Doctoral degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education or related field
- Minimum of 3 years teaching experience in Early Education and Care programs or PK-2 public school settings
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior teaching experience in higher education
- Early Childhood or Moderate Disabilities Massachusetts teacher licensure
- Experience with MA policies and practices related to IFSP and IEP implementation
- Teaching experience in early care (infant, toddler) and/or PK-2 setting in urban schools and communities
- Experience aligning courses with MA Early Education and Care standards/competencies
- Experience working with families and communities to support the learning and development of very young children
- Experience with flexible format for course delivery (day, evening; in person, hybrid, online)
- Evidence of effective use of learner-centered pedagogies and culturally relevant/sustaining practices
- Multilingual
Additional Information: Salary: Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage . Employee Benefits: Benefits are an important component of an employee's total compensation package.
- Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately.
- Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
- Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
- Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.
- Additional information regarding employee benefits is available on the University's Benefits & Wellness webpage .
Disability Accommodations Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (413) ###-#### or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor. Background Check Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.
Application Instructions: An online application is required. A complete application includes:
- Cover Letter*
- Curriculum vitae
- Unofficial copy of transcripts of highest degree
- Statement of teaching philosophy with areas for continuing scholarship
- Contact information for three reference letter providers**
Notes: * In your cover letter please include the ways in which you would advance diversity and inclusion in your classroom and at the University. ** Contact information for three reference letter providers should be completed on the reference form. Applicants that are using Interfolio for an existing confidential letter of recommendation should provide the Interfolio based email address (e.g. ...@interfolio.com). Application deadline: Review of applications will begin (next month i.e. March 2024). The job will remain open until finalists have been selected. NOTE: If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online Help Desk . The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.recblid 5485it8fmqrp611nk1zli1h5pu30xq