Assistant Professor Elementary Education

The Department of Childhood/Early Childhood Education in the School of Education invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Elementary Teacher Education position to begin in August 2027. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the early childhood and childhood programs in both in-person and online environments. The faculty member will demonstrate excellence in teaching and scholarship potential, a commitment to undergraduate and graduate education, and strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively work with a diverse array of students, colleagues, and external partners.

The Childhood/Early Childhood Education Department offers degree programs in Early Childhood and Childhood Education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. We are committed to providing future educators with unique learning opportunities that merge coursework from our programs with early practice teaching experiences in our Professional Development School (PDS) consortium. Our programs prepare teachers to create child-centered, inquiry-based, and developmentally appropriate learning environments and to advocate for children’s equitable educational opportunities from birth through grade six. We are committed to preparing teachers to respond to the needs of all children and families in an increasingly diverse and global society. Department faculty represent a rich array of interests with core values including effective leadership, policy formulation, inquiry, equity, eco-justice, and collaboration. The position provides an opportunity to join a department with an innovative approach to teacher education.

Major Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the early childhood and childhood programs in both face-to-face and online environments
• Advise and work with students to support their success
• Observe practicum and student teachers
• Work in professional development schools and build partnerships with schools and/or childcare centers
• Demonstrate knowledge of issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Maintain a productive research agenda
• Participate in the affairs of the department, School of Education, and University, including but not limited to committee work and curriculum development
• Participate in ongoing data collection and analysis to productively participate in program review and accreditation

Required Qualifications

• An earned doctorate in teacher education, elementary education, curriculum and instruction in a content area, or a closely related field, or ABD with a designated completion date within the first year of the appointment
• Knowledge of early childhood and/or elementary school curriculum and best practices for instruction and pedagogy, mentoring, and curriculum design and development
• Evidence of a scholarly agenda including research-based presentations and/or publications
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of successful experience teaching in early childhood and/or elementary school settings
• Higher education teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level
• Experience teaching in a variety of formats (e.g., face-to-face, online, blended)
• Demonstrated emphasis on teaching for social justice, collaboration, and interdisciplinary learning
• Experience working collaboratively across diverse settings, including in professional development schools or in partnerships with P-6 schools and/or child care environments
• Demonstrated ability to utilize technology and integrate it into instruction

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations
• Cultural competence
• Commitment to working collaboratively and collegially with others
• Strong work ethic
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills

About SUNY Cortland

Be part of a campus that values integrity, intellectual life, and a strong focus on students. Here, faculty maintain a meaningful presence on campus and contribute to a supportive, forward-thinking academic environment.

The University

SUNY Cortland is a comprehensive university within the State University of New York system and is known for its superb programs in teacher education, kinesiology, speech-language pathology, psychology, health, physical education, and several leading liberal arts programs in the natural and social sciences as well as the arts and humanities. Our many programs are designed to support our commitment to civic responsibility, environmental responsibility, international education, professional education, and social justice. More than 90 percent of SUNY Cortland’s nearly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students gain hands-on experience through internships, volunteerism, civic engagement, and study abroad. Its three schools – education, arts and sciences and professional studies – are committed to excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, service and international education. SUNY Cortland has had a commitment to quality teacher education for over 150 years, with current accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP). The University has prepared more students for careers in education than any other institution in the state and recently ranked #6 in the country for the number of education majors. The campus is in the geographic center of New York State and is a half-hour drive from Syracuse and Ithaca, and four hours from New York City and Philadelphia. Situated in the beautiful Finger Lakes region, Cortland offers an array of regional cultural and recreational opportunities, as well as affordable housing and excellent school systems.

Pay

Starting Salary: $67,900 + depending on experience