The Department of Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education at the University of Oklahoma (OU) - Norman Campus is pleased to invite passionate, creative, innovative, and collaborative individuals with practical and scholarly experience to be part of a robust program and academic community. We seek nominations and applications for a full-time (nine-month), ranked-renewable term, assistant professor position in Early Childhood Education (birth – grade 3). This individual would serve as the director of the University of Oklahoma’s Institute of Child Development (ICD) Laboratory Preschool as well as teach classes within our undergraduate and graduate programs.

We seek candidates who are devoted to promoting positive learning experiences for young children, are well-grounded in current theories, pedagogy of early childhood and teacher education. The individual should lead and support the ICD's vision for enhancing community access to early childhood education.

The University of Oklahoma is a comprehensive research institution serving the educational, cultural, economic, and health care needs of the State, the region, and the nation and has been instrumental in helping Oklahoma become a leader in Early Childhood Education. The University of Oklahoma’s Institute of Child Development provides high quality early childhood experiences for children from six weeks to five years of age. The Institute of Child Development teachers facilitate a developmentally appropriate curriculum meant to support the whole child inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. Children at the Institute of Child Development learn as they engage in play and project-based experiences. The Institute of Child Development also serves as an educator preparation site for preservice teachers and graduate students. The Early Childhood Education team values all children and families.

The Institute of Child Development strives to become a more accessible resource to families in and around the University of Oklahoma and Norman community. The responsibilities of the assistant professor position consist of but are not limited to the following: Leadership and Directorship of the Institute of Child Development, teaching courses primarily in Early Childhood Education (e.g., Integrated Curriculum, Field Supervision, Family Engagement, Teaching and Learning) and other related courses each regular semester with opportunities to teach during summer months; Managing daily operations at the Institute of Child Development; assisting in program development and coordination in collaboration with program area faculty; mentoring Institute of Child Development and preservice teachers; maintaining Institute of Child Development accreditation; working with Institute of Child Development children and families; promoting and facilitating research projects at the Institute of Child Development; advising and mentoring graduate students and directing master’s theses, with potential for directing doctoral dissertations; collaborating with centers and programs within the college and across the university to continue the Institute of Child Developments’s vision; leading Institute of Child Development community outreach; attending and presenting Institute of Child Development work publicly; supporting teachers to assess and document children’s learning; and other job-related tasks; creating a positive social climate and culture at the Institute of Child Development and supporting the Institute of Child Development staff well-being, competence, and personal and professional growth; providing service to the department, college, university, and profession; and participating in other job-related activities as appropriate.

Required Qualifications: By August 2024, earned doctorate in Early Childhood Education, or a closely related field from an accredited university, demonstrated leadership experiences and capabilities, proven ability to work with a collaborative team of various stakeholders (e.g., faculty, researchers, families, community resources), knowledge of and/or experience in university-based lab schools, and at least three years of experience teaching (birth – grade 3).

Desired Qualifications: Well-grounded in current theories of Early Childhood Education, Child Development and well-being, and/or the Early Childhood workforce well-being, competence, and retention; knowledge and experience with the following: child-centered curricula (in particular, with the Reggio Emilia approach, project-approach, emergent curriculum, and play-based approach), culturally responsive and trauma-responsive practices; experience teaching courses in Early Childhood Education at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels; familiarity with current teacher accountability requirements and best practices in Early Childhood Education; experience in or capacity for advising and mentoring teachers and university students; experience in or capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration; experience with and/or knowledge of school-based management (e.g., facilities, accreditation, budget, enrollment, staff/staffing); experience with or opportunity to grow in grant writing (i.e., non-profit support); knowledge of procedures for ethical research practices; and eligibility for state licensure in Early Childhood Education.

We seek candidates who will provide inspiration and leadership for the Institute of Child Development and will serve as the center liaison for university initiatives, program development and implementation, community outreach and engagement, and who will build collaborative ties with other departments within the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education and the University of Oklahoma.

Applicants should refer to Interfolio http://apply.interfolio.com/139995 and submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, the names and contact information (telephone numbers and email addresses) of at least three professional references, unofficial graduate transcripts (must have official transcripts if invited for interview), and up to three samples of professional writing. Candidates invited for a campus interview will be expected to make a presentation on their work and vision for the ICD. Review of applications will begin on March 1, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.

Starting date is August 15, 2024. Please direct questions to [email protected] Search Committee Chair, Dr. Erin Casey.