Childhood Education and Care Professor of Practice for Literacy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Salem, MA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Professor of Practice, Literacy is a non-tenure track faculty position focused on strengthening literacy instruction and clinical practice within educator preparation programs at Salem State. In addition to teaching literacy courses, this role centers on supervising teacher candidates, training and coaching other supervisors, and ensuring high-quality practicum experiences are aligned with state standards, with a particular emphasis on literacy across Early Childhood, Elementary, and Moderate Disabilities (PK–8) licensure programs. This position begins in Fall 2027. Salem State University is where scholarship meets purpose. As the Commonwealth's Civic Engagement University, we believe education matters beyond the classroom, and our faculty are central to that mission. They bring intellectual curiosity and a genuine commitment to student success, teaching students who will go on to shape their communities, many of whom are the first in their families to earn a college degree. We value collaboration, academic rigor and the kind of civic-minded engagement that makes a real difference. If you're driven by meaningful work and want to be part of something bigger than any single course or semester, Salem State is your place. Please Note: This is a four year, fixed term position ending on May 31, 2031.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, Literacy, or a closely related field.
• Reading Specialist license or PreK-2 or 1-6 Teacher license or Moderate Disabilities license (PreK-8) or a comparable license or an equivalent credential that demonstrates advanced literacy expertise.
• Significant professional experience (at least five years) teaching literacy.
• Demonstrated expertise in evidence-based literacy instruction and assessment.
• Experience mentoring, supervising, or coaching teacher candidates and/or practicing educators.
• Familiarity with Massachusetts DESE early literacy standards and program approval expectations.

Nice To Haves

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field.
• Prior experience training or supporting practicum supervisors or instructional coaches.
• Teaching experience in higher education and/or educator preparation programs.
• Strong collaboration and partnership-building skills with PK–12 schools and districts.
• Demonstrated technology skills, including the ability to use learning management systems, such as Canvas.

Responsibilities

• Teach literacy related, DESE aligned education courses for teacher candidates in the Early Childhood, Elementary and Moderate Disabilities licensure programs.
• Supervise teacher candidates in practicum placements for Early Childhood, Elementary, and/or Moderate Disabilities (PK–8) licensure programs, with a focus on effective literacy instruction.
• Train, coach, support and provide feedback to practicum supervisors in observing and evaluating literacy instruction in alignment with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) program approval expectations.
• Develop, deliver and evaluate professional learning for practicum supervisors to ensure consistency and quality in literacy-focused observation and feedback.
• Collaborate closely with the McKeown School of Education Office of Licensure and Field Engagement to support candidate success and the quality of pre-practicum and practicum placements aligned with DESE’s expectations for high quality instructional materials and evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining literacy instruction.
• Collaborate with faculty in the McKeown School of Education on the content of literacy education courses.
• Support continuous program improvement efforts related to literacy and state approval standards.
• Maintain strong partnerships with schools and districts to support high-quality pre-practicum and practicum experiences.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior