Department: Teacher Apprenticeship Pathways, Literacy, & Special Education

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: $65,000

Work Schedule: Typically, 8am-5pm, with some flexibility for evenings as needed ; work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

The College of Education 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 Professor in TAP is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track faculty position with a focus on teaching a variety of undergraduate courses related to specific content areas and foundational teacher preparation courses, mentoring TAP students and providing leadership to faculty and adjunct instructors, research, and service. Applicants must be committed to fostering an inviting environment and promoting the success of our students. The academic appointment for this position will be effective August 2, 2027.

Serving over 700 students, TAP prepares students to complete their Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Unified/Elementary Education 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 as a Kansas teacher. Dedicated 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 research, teaching, and service as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties

The Assistant Professor in TAP EE/ECU will design and lead multi-disciplinary teaching initiatives including the redesign and continuous updating of content specific pedagogy courses as well as foundational education courses within TAP, to align with state and national accreditation, as well as program and student needs. Teaching will be informed by research and service in the field of alternative certification as well as content area and content specific pedagogical strategies. The Assistant Professor role will include 40% teaching in TAP EE/ECU will teach 9 credit hours in each fall and 9 credit hours in each spring semester, with a focus on core content specific pedagogy courses, exceptionality courses, core content concepts courses, foundational education courses, and/or internship or field experience courses. This also includes mentoring TAP students in their applied learning experiences throughout the program.

Research and scholarship activities for the Assistant Professor in TAP EE/ECU will include 40% of the role, encompassing original research and program evaluation support. Specific research interest areas of candidates should include content specific pedagogies, alternative certification teacher pathways, student centeredness, and innovative teacher preparation programming. The faculty member would be expected to seek external funding grant opportunities for research and/or student supports and assist with current ongoing funded initiatives. The Assistant Professor in TAP EE/ECU will be expected to represent WSU by producing original works, both publications and presentations.

Service ranging from program to national/international representation will be expected for 20% of the role of the Assistant Professor in TAP EE/ECU. Service to the program, department, college and university in the form of serving on and chairing committees of interest will be expected. Service to the program will include serving on the TAP Leadership Team, collaborating with faculty, supporting mentors and adjuncts instructors, and guiding program initiatives. Service to the field and profession, in the form of community, state-level, and national/international-level organization membership and engagement will be expected.

This position requires regular on-campus presence at Wichita State University. The selected candidate must reside in Kansas within a reasonable commuting distance of the WSU main campus.

Required Education and Experience:

• Terminal degree in direct field
• Teaching experience

Faculty Requirements

• Earned doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Early Childhood, Elementary, Special Education, or related field, completed prior to August 2027.
• Experience in K-12 teaching

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• 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 within the teacher preparation field.
• 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 best practices in 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.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with all students and colleagues.
• Commitment to fostering an environment in which all students, faculty, staff, and community partners feel welcome, valued, supported, and engaged.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience mentoring pre-service or in-service teachers
• Experience in online course development and implementation
• Elementary Teaching Experience
• Demonstrated experience and capability in conducting and disseminating scholarly research

Preferred License/Certifications/Training:

• Elementary (PK-6) Teaching License

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
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Teaching Statement
4. Research Statement

Review of applications will begin on November 2, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

WSU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

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%