Assistant Professor Educational Foundations - College of Education and Community Innovation
Grand Valley State UniversityAbout the role
We seek a colleague with expertise in culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies who can teach primarily undergraduate Educational Foundations courses with an emphasis on history, philosophy, and sociology of education and who has demonstrated success facilitating first-year students’ experiences.
We particularly invite applications from candidates who:
○ Have professional and applied experiences teaching in Birth–12th grade settings
○ Have worked with or conducted research on students from diverse backgrounds
○ Have knowledge of and experience with social and behavioral sciences research, educational assessment, and/or culturally relevant and responsive teaching practices
Required Qualifications and Education:
Earned Doctorate or ABD (with expected completion by August 1, 2026) in Educational Foundations or history of education, philosophy of education, or sociology of education from an accredited institution
Record of relevant or emerging research agenda and scholarship in Educational Foundations or a related field
Ability and willingness to teach first-year undergraduate courses
Ability to support place-based partnerships and students participating in those partnerships
Demonstrated potential for university teaching in one or more of the following areas:
Social, historical, or philosophical foundations of education
Urban education
Cultural studies
Teacher education
Research methods in the social and behavioral sciences
Educational Assessment
Ability to teach face-to-face classes on both the Grand Rapids and Allendale Campuses
Minimum of five years demonstrated successful teaching in Birth–12th grade environments
Effective oral and written communication
Collaborative interpersonal skills
Willingness to teach in multiple instructional modalities, including: Hybrid formats, Online synchronous/asynchronous, and Distance learning
Preferred Qualifications and Education:
Strong background in interdisciplinary teaching and/or research
Completion of doctoral studies
Evidence with student-centered and relationship-centered teaching
Experience teaching social and behavioral sciences research methods
Experience in Birth-6th grade environments
Experience teaching introductory courses in education
Commitment to teaching with an intersectional lens
Experience with field-based placements and partnerships
Engagement with pedagogies that address multiple forms of oppression (race, class, gender, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, etc.)
Understanding of and commitment to teaching all students
Potential to coordinate field-based experiences
Evidence of collaborative endeavors with colleagues (research, teaching, curriculum development, etc.)
Responsibilities – Essential Functions:
Teach and collaborate on Educational Foundations courses, including place-based courses, social and behavioral sciences, assessment, research, and theory
Teach undergraduate Educational Foundations courses in face-to-face and online modalities (three courses fall semester, three courses winter semester)
Assist students pursuing teaching credentials with academic advising and career exploration
Conduct scholarly activities (research, publication, conference presentations)
Engage in service activities that support departmental goals, university initiatives, professional development, and community partnerships
Salary: $64,000 - $66,000, commensurate with experience
Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.
Campus Location: City Campus, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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