Bilingual Assistant Professor of Reading and Language

THE OPPORTUNITY

The National College of Education (NCE) at National Louis University (NLU) seeks a dynamic educator with demonstrated expertise in K-12 literacy teaching and learning to join its Reading and Language faculty as a Bilingual Assistant Professor of Reading and Language. 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 foundational literacy instruction for English and Spanish speakers. A minimum of three years of K-12 teaching is required as is research-based knowledge of literacy/biliteracy teaching and learning. Priority will be given to candidates with experience teaching in urban schools and working with bilingual/biliterate learners. Members of the faculty are expected to be involved with partner schools as well. Bilingual/biliterate candidates of diverse backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. 

WHO WE ARE

NLU’s National College of Education (NCE) 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. Our educators are found in 40% of Illinois public schools and 75% of Chicago Public Schools, collectively impacting the lives of 60,000 students each year.

At NCE, our commitment to learning includes ourselves. We have recently created four new programs and evolved an additional 21 programs to more appropriately address the needs of today’s educators.

WHO YOU ARE

You are: A Change Leader.
You are an accomplished PreK-12 educator with a passion for developing students and teachers to their fullest potential. You are an experienced leader who has successfully guided schools and/or district through change. You are a constructive partner who leads the work that needs to be done and advocates for high quality education. You are a veteran educator attracted to university teaching as a new career step and a new level of positive influence on American education. You are deeply motivated by a desire to work in a learning community that is preparing the next generation of life-changing leaders.

You will: Model and Support Research.
You believe in the power of practitioner researchers. You will draw upon current research to inform your instruction. You will use your research agenda to model research methodologies for our candidates. You will support our candidates as they become research practitioners.  

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 educator preparation institution.  You are someone who will always look for creative ways for students to earn success. We know this work is challenging, but we are in it together and you are inspired by the opportunity to work collaboratively with other educational leaders to optimize our impact together.

• Teach graduate courses in literacy methods to in-service (and possibly pre-service) teachers
• Work with cohorts of bilingual teachers who are seeking reading endorsements
• Teach doctoral level courses in literacy research and engage in other doctoral responsibilities
• Contribute to curriculum development and program improvement by collaborating with faculty in program evaluation
• Engage in an active program of scholarship related to these areas of expertise
• 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
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Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. 

A successful candidate will:

• Possess an earned doctorate in Literacy Education, or a closely related field
• Speak Spanish and have experience working with bilingual teachers and/or students
• Have 3 or more years of K-12 teaching experience (ideally experience in grades K-8)
• Know research-based approaches to literacy learning and historical trends in literacy instruction (for monolingual and bilingual K-12 students)
• Possess a passionate commitment that is reflected in course planning, teaching, and interaction with students and colleagues
• Demonstrate experience and skill in both face-to-face, virtual, and online teaching with adult learners, including using a learning management system.

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.

At National Louis University, we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Opportunities. Additional information regarding full-time faculty benefits can be found here.

NLU Faculty salaries are based on rank within each college.  The ranges for each rank for the National College of Education are listed below:

2024 NCE 10-Month Faculty Salary Ranges

Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.  Offers are based on multiple factors permitted by law, including but not limited to: budgetary considerations, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, current/previous faculty rank, market considerations, tenure and standing with the university (applicable to current employees), and internal equity.