Department: Teacher Apprentice Pathways, Literacy and Special Education

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: $50,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Work Schedule: Typically, 8am-5pm, with some flexibility for evenings as needed 

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

The College of Applied Studies at Wichita State University, seeks a dynamic and experienced colleague to enhance our Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP) Team. Housed in the Department of Teacher Apprentice Pathways, Literacy and Special Education, the Assistant Educator in TAP is a full-time, 9-month, non-tenure-track faculty position with a focus on teaching STEM related education courses, mentoring TAP students and providing leadership to the faculty. Applicants must be committed to fostering an inclusive environment and promoting the success of first-generation and underrepresented students. The academic appointment for this position will be effective August 4, 2025.

Wichita State University (WSU), an urban, public research university located in the largest city in Kansas, is centered on student success, applied learning, and innovative faculty and leadership with strong connections to the Wichita community as a driver in workforce development. The College of Applied Studies (CAS) includes departments that touch all aspects of Pre-K-12 education, educational administration, sport management, organizational leadership and learning, counseling program tracks with several counseling fields, athletic training, and exercise science. The College also is home to Wichita State’s Varsity Esports program, engaging over 50 student-athletes and 20 applied learning students in nationally competitive teams. Core values inform the work to support student success in CAS, including collaboration, leadership, inclusivity, innovation, and learning.

Program Information
Go from Para Educator to Teacher of Record in a shortened time with Wichita State University's Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP). The faculty prepare students for licensure as a Kansas teacher with our flexible program of study, specially designed for Para Educators to earn their Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Unified / Elementary Education.

Students complete the degree without leaving their current Para Educator job, earning field experience for work as a Para Educator. Courses are 100% online with some in-person options for general education course requirements. An inverted curriculum provides students opportunities to take education courses in their first semester in the program, increasing their skills as a para while working towards licensure. Dedicated success coaches / mentors provide guidance and support to students throughout their time in the program.

Job Summary

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into the course design and engage with industry and local business community applied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities (e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship, recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities, etc.)

Essential Functions

Meet expectations for teaching and service, as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties

Teaching in the TALS department (80%), specifically in the Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP), with a focus on STEM-related courses. The specific courses taught, and tasks assigned will be determined by the Department Chair based on the candidate’s expertise and interests, as well as the needs of the department. A standard assigned course load will be 12 credits per semester, in addition to serving as a Success Coach to TAP students as assigned.

Service (20%) to departmental, college, university, professional and community constituents as agreed upon with the Department Chair. This includes assisting with TAP program-wide and leadership initiatives; maintaining student data; contributing to the creation of the program annual report as well as accreditation and university reports; and engaging in appropriate service activities within the university, professional organizations, and the community.

All candidates for faculty positions should be able to demonstrate the ability to successfully educate and empower a diverse student population.

Faculty Requirements

• Undergraduate teaching experience
• PreK-grade 6 teaching experience
• MA or MS in Elementary and/or Early Childhood related field

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to accommodate a variety of learning styles and strategies in instructional delivery and learning activities, including online and blended learning, flexible teaching methods, and applied learning approaches.
• Ability to use various forms of technology to communicate with students, faculty, and other stakeholders in and outside of the university in 1:1, small group, and large group settings for varied purposes.
• Knowledge of and ability to describe practical implications of current trends, research, and education, especially with respect to STEM education.
• Familiarity with national and state standards and their implications to classroom instruction, teacher preparation, and curriculum design
• Ability to design learning experiences and assessments that model multiple dimensions of STEM education and are inclusive of special education students.
• Ability to make data-driven decisions that demonstrate continuous improvement in several settings (i.e. online instruction, K-12 curriculum design, teacher preparation program).
• Ability to learn program parameters and apply them to individual student programs of study and accreditation standards.
• Evidence of communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with diverse students and colleagues.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate or ABD in Early Childhood, Elementary, Special Education, or related field
• Academic emphasis in STEM
• PreK-6 STEM teaching experience
• Experience mentoring pre-service or in-service teachers
• Experience in online course development and implementation

Additional Information:

Please complete the Faculty Profile including the names and contact information of three (3) references and upload the following documents:
1. Cover letter of interest
2. Curriculum Vitae

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position – Frequent 60-90%; Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators – Frequent 60-90%