Faculty Specialist I - Lecturer - Teaching, Learning, Educational Studies - Tenure Track

General Summary:

The Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Studies in the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University seeks a full-time term Faculty Specialist I in Elementary Education. This position will support the instructional, clinical, and supervisory needs of the Elementary Education program, including the traditional undergraduate pathway and the Grow Your Own pathway. The faculty specialist will teach undergraduate elementary education courses, support internship seminars, coordinate with clinical instructors and the Office of Clinical Experiences, and provide field supervision and mentoring for teacher candidates. This position is essential to maintaining instructional continuity, program quality, and responsiveness to district partners as the Elementary Education program continues to expand through traditional enrollment and Grow Your Own district-based partnerships.

Major Duties:

• Teach undergraduate courses in Elementary Education, including internship seminars, teaching labs, practicum courses, and other courses aligned with program need.
• Teach and support courses connected to both the traditional Elementary Education pathway and the Grow Your Own pathway.
• Serve as the faculty point of contact for clinical instructors connected to ED 4100 internship seminar sections.
• Coordinate with the Office of Clinical Experiences to support student placements, communication with clinical instructors, and internship expectations.
• Provide field supervision, mentoring, and instructional support for teacher candidates.
• Support Grow Your Own cohorts, including district-based students who may require evening, weekend, hybrid, or online instructional support.
• Collaborate with Elementary Education faculty, program coordinators, and department leadership to maintain program quality and instructional alignment.
• Support assessment, accreditation, and continuous improvement processes connected to Elementary Education.
• Contribute to a department culture grounded in equity, humanization, collaboration, and high-quality teacher preparation.
• Engage in service to the department, college, university, and partner school districts as appropriate to the role.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Elementary Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Teacher Education, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience teaching in K–12 elementary classroom settings.
• Demonstrated knowledge of elementary teacher preparation, field-based learning, and clinical supervision.
• Ability to teach undergraduate courses in elementary education, including internship seminars, teaching labs, and methods-related coursework.
• Commitment to preparing teachers to serve diverse learners, families, schools, and communities.
• Strong communication, organization, and collaboration skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Doctorate or ABD status in Elementary Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Teacher Education, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience teaching or supervising students in a university-based teacher preparation program.
• Experience supporting Grow Your Own, district-based, alternative pathway, or nontraditional teacher preparation students.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive, anti-racist, humanizing, and community-engaged approaches to teacher education.
• Experience working with urban, rural, and/or high-need school districts.
• Familiarity with assessment systems, clinical placement structures, and state teacher preparation requirements.
• Experience collaborating with district partners, clinical instructors, and university-based field placement offices.

Additional Position Information:

Go to: wmich.edu/hr/employees/faculty for benefits and other information.