Early Childhood Education Program Instructor

Social/Human Sciences and Educational Programs Department

Position Overview

This position works closely with other Early Childhood Education faculty to provide high-quality instruction in a comprehensive program of both theory and practical experience designed to prepare graduates to work with young children in a variety of settings.  The program goal is to provide students with a broad understanding of theoretical perspectives, methodologies, and content knowledge appropriate to the professional early childhood educator.  The Early Childhood Education instructor also provides advising services and acts as a liaison between the program and its university and community partners.

Terms of Employment

100 percent, 180 day academic year assignment. 

Teaching assignment may include the use of non-traditional delivery methodologies, e.g. telecourses, on-line/internet, hybrid, as well as traditional face-to-face courses. Duty days may fluctuate from the traditional September-June schedule. Recently hired faculty are expected to participate in a new faculty orientation.

Salary and Benefits

2008/2009 Salary Range: $38,378 to $66,944/yr. Salary placement is subject to contract negotiations.  Newly hired faculty normally begin at Step 3 ($40,789/yr) depending on education and experience.

The college also provides an excellent benefits package, which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage (subject to employee and college collective bargaining agreements).  Benefits also include: life, and disability insurance and membership in the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) or Oregon Public Services Retirement Plan (OPSRP).

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree or equivalent in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education (with an emphasis in Human Development, Early Childhood Education, Child Development) or closely related field with at least 24 graduate credit hours in relevant Early Childhood Education coursework. One year successful teaching experience with young children from birth to age 8 .  One year successful teaching experience with adult learners. Demonstrated experience teaching in an Early Childhood Education lab school.  Must be willing to teach late afternoon, evening and online classes.  Candidates must provide evidence of a passion for teaching and learning at the community college level.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience teaching in an adult educational setting.  Experience in field supervision of college practicum students. Experience collaborating with early childhood education community partners.   Experience in distance education delivery.  A sound understanding of the community college learning environment and a commitment to the comprehensive community college mission.  The desire, ability, and dedication to employ technology as an effective instructional tool in the face-to-face and distance delivery of courses.  The ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, educational partners, and community members who span a diverse range of cultures, languages, nationalities, and educational experiences.  The ability to demonstrate effective teaching to adult learners.  A desire and commitment to create a classroom environment focused on active learning in which all students are welcomed and encouraged to participate.  Bi-lingual/Bi-cultural.

Essential Functions

• Teaches the college’s standard Early Childhood Education courses.  Course descriptions can be found on the Chemeketa website and at www.ece.chemeketa.edu
• Develops and teaches online and/or hybrid versions of the standard courses
• Develops and teaches new courses in response to diverse community and student needs and interests                 
• Maintains an awareness of current trends in Early Childhood Education and incorporates these trends within instruction
• Maintains regular office hours; provides timely responses to student inquiries, and advises/assists students so that they become more likely to succeed both within their Chemeketa experience and the broader educational community; adheres to all established college policies as they relate to full-time faculty members
• Actively participates with other faculty in regular departmental duties and in the on-going planning, oversight, and assessment of the Early Childhood Education program college curriculum and budget and the Early Childhood Education lab school, its parents and children
• Actively participates in college and community committees and functions as a representative of the Early Childhood Education program
• Prepares and develops materials for assigned classes
• Provides students with course syllabi
• Maintains records of grades and attendance; reports individual academic grades when required
• Keeps up-to-date regarding technological changes and developments and current teaching methods in subject area
• Attends staff meetings; works in cooperative manner with others in department and college
• Embraces appropriate technology tools to accomplish job functions; understands and utilizes available technology as communication and data-gathering tools and integrates technology into curriculum and classroom presentations
• Understands, develops, and provides a learning environment that supports diversity and incorporates a sensitivity to diversity into the workplace
• Functions as a life-long learner
• Applies the College’s values for teaching and learning:
• Creates a learning climate of mutual respect and fairness
• Encourages creative and critical thinking
• Actively engages students in the learning process
• Facilitates learning that applies to and enriches a student’s life
• Encourages mutual responsibility for a supportive learning environment
• Clarifies expectations and encourages student responsibility for learning
• Promotes learning as a life-long process

Application Packet Must Include:

• Chemeketa Application
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three recent professional letters of reference
• Transcripts from an accredited institution (official or unofficial at time of application)
• Philosophy Statement that includes:
• Describe your philosophy about the student and teacher relationship.
• What strategies and techniques do you use to instruct adult learners who come from various socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds?
• In addition to your teaching assignment, you will be called upon to attend staff meetings, be a member of committees, advise students, and work as a team member both on campus and with the community.  In view of this, please speak to the rewards and demands of this position.

How to Apply

Only complete packets will be reviewed by the screening committee.  It is important that your application clearly indicate that you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.  Please include enough relevant training and experience to demonstrate that you possess the minimum qualifications.

Application material may be faxed and must be received by the application deadline. HOWEVER, a signed hard copy of the application must be received by the Human Resources Department upon hire.  (The Human Resources Department will not confirm receipt of application material and is not responsible for material not completely transmitted.)

Application Deadline

May 9 , 2008 by 5 p.m   All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department on the Salem Campus.

Chemeketa Community College
Human Resources Department
PO Box 14007
Salem, OR 97309-7070
503.399.5009 (phone)
503.399.7810 (fax)

Other Information

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity institution, values diversity in its workforce, and is committed to affirmative action: we encourage minorities, women, and persons with disabilities to apply. It is the policy of Chemeketa Community College that discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, or family relationships will not exist in any area, activity, or operation of the college. Chemeketa Community College is also a smoke-free/drug-free environment.

Federal regulations require that all documents submitted by applicants be retained by the college for a period of two years. No submitted materials will be returned and/or duplicated.

For further information, to request an application packet, or to request disability accommodation during the application process, contact the Human Resources Department at 503.399.5009. You may also e-mail requests to humanresources@chemeketa.edu. Our office is located in Building 2, Room 214, on the Salem Campus.

Updated April 18, 2008 by the Human Resources Department.