Bilingual Assistant Professor of Reading and Language

Bilingual Assistant Professor of Reading and Language
National Louis University - Chicago, IL
Overview:
THE OPPORTUNITY

The National College of Education (NCE) at National Louis University (NLU) seeks a dynamic educator with demonstrated expertise in literacy teaching and learning to join its Reading and Language faculty. This is a full-time (10-month) Professional Practice appointment at the Assistant Professor rank (or rank commensurate with qualifications and experience).

NLU’s graduate program in reading is nationally recognized and offers Reading Teacher Endorsement (non-degree/M.Ed.) and Reading Specialist Preparation (M.Ed/EDS) in online, virtual, and on campus formats. Reading faculty also teach in the Teaching and Learning doctoral program (Reading, Language, & Literacy major).

We are currently seeking a colleague with an earned doctorate in literacy education and expertise in literacy assessment and the diagnosis of reading difficulties. A minimum of three years of preK-12 teaching is required as is research-based knowledge of literacy teaching and learning. Priority will be given to candidates with experience teaching in urban schools, working with bilingual/biliterate learners, and using technology to enhance student learning. Members of the faculty are expected to be involved with partner schools as well. This position is based in the Chicago area and may require travel to our four Chicago area campuses. Bilingual/biliterate candidates of diverse backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.

WHO WE ARE

NLU’s National College of Education understands that serving PreK-12 students as teachers and school leaders is a calling, a commitment, and a career. Our unique style of partnership with students at all levels—from new teacher preparation to advanced professional programs to doctoral degrees—guides all we do as we create today’s teachers and tomorrow’s leaders. Our programs are designed with the needs of our students in mind.

Graduates frequently cite the National College of Education’s top-quality professors, convenient locations, flexible course offerings and affordability. Most of all, the commitment to “real world” progressive education is unparalleled. NCE graduates make a difference.

WHO YOU ARE

You are: A Change Leader.
You are an accomplished PreK-12 literacy educator with a passion for developing students, teachers, and leaders to their fullest potential. You are at the forefront of current trends in literacy and stay abreast of literacy research. You are deeply motivated by a desire to work in a learning community that is preparing the next generation of literacy teachers and leaders.

You will: Model and Support Research.
You are committed to equity in literacy learning and willing to do the work necessary to understand how your own biases and assumptions impact your understanding of students, families, and communities. You are willing to interrogate literacy curriculum, assessments, and pedagogy because you understand that systems in education often privilege some students while harming others. You feel comfortable in modeling this for your students throughout their coursework.

You are ready to: Make an Impact.
Each and every day, this program changes lives. You want to be a part of NCE’s societally impactful leadership as an in-service, educator preparation institution. You are someone who will always look for creative ways for students to be successful. We know this work is challenging, but we are in it together and you are inspired by the opportunity to work collaboratively with other educators to optimize our impact together.
Essential Responsibilities:
Teach graduate courses in literacy methods to in-service (and possibly pre-service) teachers
Work with cohorts of bilingual teachers who are teaching reading endorsements
Teach doctoral level courses in literacy research
Contribute to curriculum development and program improvement by collaborating with faculty in program and unit level evaluation, to develop program reports, assessment protocols, and cross disciplinary curriculum work
Advise reading program graduate students, including service on dissertation committees
Engage in an active program of scholarship related to these areas of expertise
Contribute to program development, management and partnership coordination
Engage in the learning-community life of National Louis University through active participation in meetings, committees, professional development, and collaborative projects involving faculty and staff
Fulfill other faculty duties in Research & Scholarship, Service, Professional Development & Engagement domains
Support adjunct faculty development within the program (particularly the practicum)

Qualifications:

Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. This position will begin in fall of 2024.

A successful candidate will:
Possess an earned doctorate in Literacy Education, or a closely related field, with experience conducting applied research in classroom/school settings
Speak Spanish and have experience working with bilingual teachers and/or students
Have three or more years of preK-12 teaching experience (ideally experience in grades 6-12)
Know research-based approaches to literacy learning and historical trends in literacy instruction
Demonstrate an understanding of literacy diagnosis, assessments and interventions and a desire to be involved in the reading program’s clinical work (clinical literacy experience is a plus)
Possess a passionate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that is reflected in course planning, teaching, and interaction with students and colleagues
Have knowledge of languages other than English and the connection between language and literacy acquisition
Demonstrate experience and skill in both face-to-face and online teaching with adult learners, including using a learning management system.

ABOUT NLU

National Louis University (NLU) is looking to honor its past while defining a bold new future as a contemporary, comprehensive university that prepares diverse students for sustained professional success with a deep commitment to Access, Excellence, Innovation and Equity. We are a pioneering community that uses innovation to improve outcomes. NLU questions the status quo and strives to adapt and evolve with the changing needs of its students. We are a community that cares about each other and our students and we work collaboratively, tirelessly and quickly to advance change in the service of students. We have a long venerable history, but we are not typical. We seek to solve intractable social issues through education; we believe we have not succeeded until graduates achieve sustainable career related employment; and we foster a culture that promotes failing fast so that we may constantly improve our work.

Founded in 1886, National Louis University is a private not-for-profit university offering over 70 programs from short-term certificate through the doctoral level across its five colleges. The University serves over 10,000 students per year and has experienced unprecedented growth over the last several years. Most students are from Illinois, but the University also attracts students from throughout the U.S. and from around the world who take advantage of campus based, blended and online programming.

NLU is located in the center of Chicago’s downtown loop, across the street from the Art Institute, and situated in an area which has been recognized as America’s largest campus with over 25 institutions and 50,000 students attending a college across the city. In addition, the University has two suburban locations and a Florida regional campus.

NLU Inclusion Statement:

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.