Assistant Professor, ECE Competency Based Program

National Louis University’s Undergraduate College has set the ambitious goal of becoming a local and national leader in driving equity in bachelor’s degree attainment and employment. Through an innovative, affordable, rigorous, flexible, supportive, and professionally focused approach to undergraduate education, NLU seeks to help thousands of students – many of whom face significant barriers to completing college – get to and through college and move on to successful careers and fulfilling lives. Aligned to this mission and fueled by a recently awarded grant as a part of our membership in the state of Illinois’ Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE), we are have launched a new competency-based Early Childhood Education major which is a highly individualized pathway to an ECE degree, leveraging each learner’s individual skills, prior learning and previous credential attainment. 

 

The Assistant Professor in the ECE Competency-Based program teaches courses leading to licensure and the ECE Special Education Approval/Learning Behavior Specialist 1 in the competency-based ECE major. This person teaches a load of 8 courses (or equivalent) per year, ensuring student success through high quality, supportive and culturally relevant instruction. Through the use of data-informed practices, this role engages in continuous improvement, guiding instructional and curricular delivery with the primary goal of supporting student success and preparing next-generation educators to be change agents and leaders in their field. While this is primarily a teaching position, the role will also contribute content expertise in the overall coordination, design, development, and implementation of the ECE Competency-Based major.

 

The Assistant Professor in the ECE Competency-Based program has a strong understanding of competency-driven learning and deep knowledge of early childhood development, care and education, particularly in community-based settings. The ideal candidate has a passion for ECE and is keenly aware of the systems in Chicago and Illinois that support children, families and the ECE workforce.  This candidate also has experience teaching in ECE settings and has worked with very young children (ages birth to five) that have special needs. The Assistant Professor participates in weekly Competency Coffee Shops (virtual synchronous meetings with students) and serves in the role of “coach” and “mentor” when providing regular, timely feedback on assessments.

 

 

Who You Are:
You will: Provide Students with Exceptional Learning Experiences

Your work has demonstrated your respect for education and the power that it holds to empower students to achieve their career and life goals. Each term, you will facilitate blended and online classes that utilize technology and data to drive instruction. You will work with a dedicated team of faculty, success coaches/advisors, career advisors, employer relations managers, and data analysts to determine how to personalize the learning experience for your students. In addition to teaching content, you will support students with meeting the goals that they have for themselves and celebrate the lived experiences they bring to the classroom.

You are: Driven to Succeed

You are energetic and passionate about a diverse student body that includes many first-generation students. To be successful teaching in this program, you must be committed to excellence in teaching and learning in Higher Education. The position requires you to be agile, creative, and engaging while offering an unparalleled experience to undergraduate students. Enthusiastic candidates have the belief that all students can be successful students. As an active team member, you believe in a supportive environment and a student-driven and data-informed culture.

You are ready to: Make an Impact

Each and every day, our Undergraduate College changes lives. You want to be a part of that meaningful innovation. You are someone that will always look for creative ways for students to earn success. We know this work is challenging, but we are in it together.

 

You are: an experienced classroom educator with content knowledge of career development best practices, who is passionate about building students’ career skills and confidence. You have made equity and inclusion a priority in your work and believe that all students, when given the opportunity, can achieve success. You also have 3-5 years of applied career development experience through professional leadership roles and can apply current industry trends to classroom instructional practices.

To be successful in this program, you must be committed to excellence in teaching and learning in higher education. The position requires you to be agile, creative, and engaging while offering an innovative, practice based curriculum and an unparalleled experience to undergraduate students. You believe in a supportive environment, a strengths-based approach to learning, and a student-driven culture. As an active team member, working closely with both internal and external partners, you are open to continued learning and self-reflection.

 

 

NLU UGC CORE COMPETENCIES

• Student-Focused: Make decisions based on what is best for students with the belief that when all students have access, resources and support, they are empowered to achieve success.

• Expect Excellence: Hold high expectations for our students and for the adults to serve them and hold ourselves accountable for achieving excellence.

• Personalized Support: Take a holistic approach to providing individualized support that encourages students to realize their full potential in college and beyond.

• Data-Driven, Collaborative Environment: Work together as a unified team, utilizing real-time data and technology to adapt to student needs.

• Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Remain agile and open to changes and new ideas-incorporating data as well as student, faculty and administration voice-to ensure that we are continuously learning, improving, and innovating in all aspects of the student experience.

 

Demonstrate excellence in teaching: teach 8 courses (or equivalent); collaborate with the faculty team to develop a positive student experience; facilitate fully online courses using the NLU principles of online teaching; empower students to develop competency by sharing a passion for the subject and skills being taught; utilize technology-based teaching platforms to aid students in the development of competencies;  communicate professionally and relate well to others, and participate in professional development activities.

 

Contribute to the development and implementation of the ECE Competency-Based program: provide guidance in the development of the program overall, particularly as it applies to meeting the needs of the incumbent ECE workforce. Supports continuous improvement of curriculum including recommending and participating in course and program updates. Additional responsibilities include contributing to the recruitment and hiring process along with onboarding and staffing qualified adjuncts.

 

Ensure student success, positive outcomes, and excellent student experience: implement the assessment strategy as it pertains to ECE Competency-Based; use data-informed practices to drive instructional and curricular decision-making; provide recommendations for student support plans for students in the program; use data to inform continuous improvement; participate and lead segments of the Student Success Collaborative (SSC) process, especially as it pertains to staff, coursework, and students in the major/concentration.

 

Service and  Engagement: provide service to the institution as specified in the UGC workload plan.

 

 

• Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Special Education, Infant-Toddler Studies/Early Intervention and/or Infant, Child Mental Health. Bilingual in English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Five plus (5+) years prior experience teaching in community-based and/or school-based ECE settings, Early Intervention and/or home visiting and/or parent coaching.
• Three plus (3+) years licensed and/or credentialed in ECE Special Education/Early Intervention/Infant Early Childhood Mental Health or related field. Demonstrated knowledge and experience working in ECE Special Education environments.
• Two plus (2+) years experience and/or knowledge of competency-based education and/or competency-driven programming, curriculum and learning.
• Two plus (2+) prior experience teaching or operational knowledge in/of higher education, specifically online.
• Two plus (2+) demonstrated experience successfully  co-leading or supporting the launch of  new initiatives in a classroom, school or organization.
• Two plus (2+) experience working in a fast-paced environment where the only thing constant is change - adjusts quickly, calmly and with a sense of purpose when conditions change.
• Two plus (2+) professionalism in and commitment to working with a diverse population.

 

• Demonstrating Content Knowledge and Curriculum: Stays up-to-date on the subject matter, making certain that material presented, and answers to student questions, reflect current knowledge and concepts in the field. Aligns instruction to match the required curriculum and paces the course to ensure adequate coverage of all aspects of that curriculum. Stresses and highlights the most important points and concepts, especially when student achievement will be based upon department-wide or standardized tests. 

 

• Building Student confidence and Engagement: Expresses genuine confidence that students can (and will) be successful as learners. Is fully engaged as a teacher, and demonstrates enthusiasm about the subject at hand. Encourages active participation, including questions from students, making it clear that everyone is in a safe place to give an incorrect answer, or to ask a question that may reveal a lack of current mastery of facts or concepts. Varies teaching method, adjusts the pace, frequently asks questions, and incorporates energizing activities to maximize engagement.

 

• Cross-Cultural Sensitivity/Compassion: Demonstrates an awareness of, and sensitivity to, the needs and concerns of individuals from different cultures. Makes adjustments in how he or she communicates out of respect for cultural differences and minimizes the number of cross-cultural misunderstandings.

 

• Ownership and Quality of Work: Effectively manages own work, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality work within a fast-paced environment.

 

• Organizational Commitment: Passionate, energetic, and driven to make a difference; Acts with honesty, integrity, and professionalism; Self-reflective, focused on development, and makes regular progress on development areas; Learns from mistakes and setbacks; Is adaptable and welcomes change.

 

• Collaboration: Works with colleagues, from across the organization, toward achieving common goals by sharing knowledge, learning, and building consensus.  Proactively identifies relevant stakeholders and engages colleagues as needed to achieve goals.

 

 

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.

 

Please Include the following with your Application:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- Transcripts (Official or Unofficial)
 
Optional Additional Attachments:
- Teaching Philosophy
- Sample Syllabus
- Additional Licenses/Certifications
- Course Evaluations
- Letters of Recommendation