Social Science Research Scholar

About the role

The Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) seeks an Academic Staff Researcher to lead the design and development of a culturally grounded, standards-aligned 5th Grade English Language Arts curriculum rooted in Afrocentric education and Black liberation pedagogy.

Responsibilities

• Work to develop full, standards-aligned 5th Grade ELA supplemental curriculum aligned with the current curriculum, grounded in Afrocentric and Black liberation frameworks, including detailed unit plans, lesson plans, and a comprehensive teaching guide.
• Draft materials suitable for piloting in the 5th-grade classroom during the 2027–2028 school year.
• Document the collaborative process, including feedback and recommendations gathered from educators, administrators, and staff at an Oakland-based independent school, to help inform future grade-level curriculum development.
• Spend at least two days at Stanford to work on secondary projects related to the curriculum work particularly concerning Black Language and Culture.
• Spend at least two days a week developing curriculum alongside teachers and leadership at the partnered middle school in Oakland CA.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. or Ed.D in education or a related area is required by the time of appointment.
• Experience/expertise in a number of areas, including: Deep expertise in Afrocentric education, Black liberation pedagogy, and African diaspora studies; Experience in curriculum design and development, particularly in ELA or literacy education at the elementary level; Knowledge of and engagement with Black literature, including children’s and young adult literature by and about Black communities; Demonstrated experience teaching in K–12 settings, with elementary school experience preferred; Commitment to community-engaged research and the ability to collaborate effectively with school-based educators and administrators; Strong writing and communication skills, including the ability to develop teacher-facing materials such as lesson plans, teaching guides, and instructional frameworks; Familiarity with culturally sustaining pedagogies and anti-racist curriculum frameworks; Ability to work independently and manage a substantial long-form project (curriculum + textbook draft) over the course of an academic year.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements: A Ph.D. or Ed.D in education or a related area is required by the time of appointment.
• Desired qualifications: Deep expertise in Afrocentric education, Black liberation pedagogy, and African diaspora studies; Experience in curriculum design and development, particularly in ELA or literacy education at the elementary level; Knowledge of and engagement with Black literature, including children’s and young adult literature by and about Black communities; Demonstrated experience teaching in K–12 settings, with elementary school experience preferred; Commitment to community-engaged research and the ability to collaborate effectively with school-based educators and administrators; Strong writing and communication skills, including the ability to develop teacher-facing materials such as lesson plans, teaching guides, and instructional frameworks; Familiarity with culturally sustaining pedagogies and anti-racist curriculum frameworks; Ability to work independently and manage a substantial long-form project (curriculum + textbook draft) over the course of an academic year.

Skills

• Strong writing and communication skills, including the ability to develop teacher-facing materials such as lesson plans, teaching guides, and instructional frameworks.
• Familiarity with culturally sustaining pedagogies and anti-racist curriculum frameworks.
• Ability to work independently and manage a substantial long-form project (curriculum + textbook draft) over the course of an academic year.

Benefits

The position offers a unique opportunity to develop a comprehensive, culturally grounded 5th-grade English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum in direct partnership with an independent Afrocentric elementary school in Oakland, California. The school is embarking on a multi-year initiative to develop custom curricula for every grade level, beginning with 5th Grade ELA. This position will serve as the foundation of that larger vision.

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A