Assistant Professor of Elementary Education

Position Title:

Assistant Professor of Elementary Education

Compensation:

$70,000 - $75,000

Department:

Elementary Education

Start Date:

08/02/2027

About this opportunity:

Ball State University’s Department of Elementary Education welcomes applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor available August 2027.

We seek a collaborative teacher-scholar committed to preparing highly effective elementary educators and advancing knowledge in teaching and learning. The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate programs in elementary education, with particular emphasis on literacy, inclusive teaching practices, and curriculum and instruction. We are especially interested in candidates whose teaching, scholarship, and professional engagement reflect current research and evidence-based practices in elementary education and who are committed to meaningful partnerships with schools and communities.

This position offers opportunities to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, supervise candidates in field-based settings, develop a productive program of research and scholarship, collaborate with faculty and school/community partners, and contribute to the ongoing development of innovative educator preparation programs.

Employer will consider sponsorship.

What you'll do and what you will bring:

Duties and responsibilities: 

Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in elementary education, with particular emphasis on literacy, inclusive teaching practices, and curriculum and instruction; supervise practicum and other field-based experiences; establish and maintain an active program of research and scholarly publication; pursue opportunities for external funding as appropriate; engage partnerships with schools, families, communities, and other educational organizations; advise and mentor graduate students, including doctoral students; collaborate with faculty on program development and improvement; and provide professional university, college, and departmental service. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate in Elementary Education, Literacy, Curriculum and Instruction, or closely related field from an accredited institution by the date of appointment. 

• At least three years (6 academic semesters/24 months) of teaching experience in an elementary (K-6) setting. 
• Demonstrated potential for or record of scholarly productivity, as evidenced by refereed presentations at regional, national, or international conferences and/or scholarly publications such as refereed journal articles, book chapters, or books. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• University-level teaching experience (at least one academic semester/3 months). 

• Expertise in literacy instruction and knowledge of current research and evidence-based approaches to literacy teaching, including developments associated with the Science of Reading.  

• Knowledge of, and experience with, using current approaches to inclusive teaching, culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies, and/or equitable educational practice while teaching learners with a wide range of strengths, needs, experiences, and backgrounds 

• Experience supervising pre-service teachers or other educator candidates in field-based settings. 

• Demonstrated commitment to and experience with partnerships involving schools, families, communities, and/or community agencies. 

• Record of seeking and/or obtaining external grant funding. 

• Experience effectively integrating educational technologies into teaching, including online or technology-enhanced instruction. 

• Evidence of effective collaboration with colleagues and other educational partners. 

Required Certifications:

How to apply:

For inquiries about this opportunity, please contact:

Elementary Education Department Chairperson, Jackie Sydnor jtsydnor@bsu.edu 

Important: Please follow upload instructions for attaching all required documents listed below. Only complete applications will be considered.

REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• References: Within the application, you will be prompted to provide the names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open until filled with a consideration date of October 19, 2026, 12:01 a.m. Candidates submitting application materials on or before this date will receive full consideration. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

What we offer:

At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer 12 paid sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.

When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits.

Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Faculty and download our calculator spreadsheet.