Assistant Professor - Language & Literacy

The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Watson College of Education seeks to fill a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track Assistant faculty position in Literacy Education within the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Literacy, and Special Education to begin August 2025.

Faculty in the Language and Literacy Education program are a community of scholars whose research interests reflect the complexities of literacy and a commitment to countering deficit framings of students, particularly those from marginalized communities. The program area offers a master's degree in Language and Literacy Education that is aligned with National Board Certification, as well as literacy-related coursework for initial licensure in the Elementary Education teacher preparation program, both undergraduate and graduate ( MAT). Our courses and programs prepare teachers to create effective, relevant, strategy-oriented instruction and to advocate for students' educational opportunities. We are dedicated to preparing teachers to respond to the needs of all children and families.

Applicants should have a strong background and scholarly record/trajectory in literacy studies/reading education. The ideal candidate will demonstrate deep knowledge of research related to early reading and writing development and instruction, including supporting students with disabilities and multilingual students, and critical theories, including a demonstrated commitment to culturally sustaining pedagogies and practices.

The ideal candidate will be able to:

Preference will be given to candidates with:

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The Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Literacy and Special Education is a community of professional educators dedicated to the preparation of teachers and other professionals who have the knowledge, skills and dispositions to work with children from early childhood through middle grades, students with special needs and their families. It values the integration of current theory, research and professional expertise from multiple disciplines and perspectives to inform practices that enable all learners to reach their full potential.

The department provides opportunities for students to develop as educational leaders and advocates for the children and families they serve. It develops, implements and coordinates programs leading to undergraduate degrees and/or licensure in birth through kindergarten education, elementary, middle grades and special education (general and adapted tracks) as well as graduate degrees and/or licensure in elementary, middle grades and language and literacy.

The Watson College of Education ( WCE) (www.uncw.edu/ed) is a rapidly growing college with over 65 tenure-track faculty members working in undergraduate and master's programs in the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Literacy and Special Education and the Department of Instructional Technology, Foundations and Secondary Education, and master's and doctoral programs in the Department of Educational Leadership. It offers several international study programs, a newly developed laboratory school, and maintains partnerships with numerous school districts, community colleges, and colleges/universities in the region.

We prepare educators to work in all communities and to serve children and families in all contexts.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to- BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

At the University of North Carolina at Wilmington ( UNCW), our culture reflects our values of inclusion, diversity, globalization, ethics and integrity and innovation and we are committed to providing equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs. UNCW believes that embracing the unique contributions of our faculty, staff and students is critical to our success and paramount in being recognized for our global mindset.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate(s) selected for hire must be able to demonstrate eligibility to teach assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing requirements based on official transcripts and other documentation as required.

Please note that a minimum of three professional references are required for all applications.