Professional Practice Assistant Professor - Agricultural Education Teacher Mentor

Overview

The Department of Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education (ASTE) at Utah State University invites applications for a Professional Practice Assistant Professor position in the Agricultural Education program with a role of 80% Teaching (teacher mentoring/outreach), 10% Research, 10% Service.

This position may be located at any of our USU Statewide campuses along the Wasatch Front or main campus in Logan, UT. This is a nine-month, non-tenure track, academic-year appointment beginning August 2026. This position serves as a faculty member in the Applied Sciences, Technology and Education department.

 

This position directly supports Utah State University’s vision for agricultural education and is funded to serve as Utah’s statewide Agriculture teacher mentor, with a primary focus on educator mentorship, professional development, and strengthening teacher recruitment and retention. The role emphasizes preparing and supporting high-quality educators through relevant, rigorous, and practice-based learning experiences aligned with workforce needs and connected to postsecondary opportunities.

 

The successful candidate will provide statewide leadership in advancing agricultural education within Utah’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) system, with a focus on measurable outcomes, program impact, and legislative accountability. This legislatively funded position emphasizes the collection, analysis, and reporting of program data to demonstrate effectiveness, inform continuous improvement, and support state-level decision-making.

 

The Agricultural Education program prepares future educators to teach agriculture-related subjects at the junior high and high school levels. The program integrates agriculture, food and natural resources content with pedagogical training, including clinical and student teaching experiences. The program emphasizes the three-component model of agricultural education: classroom/laboratory instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), and FFA leadership development.

Responsibilities

Serve as the statewide Agricultural Education teacher mentor, providing leadership, mentorship, and professional development to strengthen the quality, retention, and effectiveness of agricultural educators and programs across Utah, consistent with the goals of the FFA Teacher Mentor appropriation

 

Statewide Agricultural Education Support & Mentorship

• Serve as the statewide mentor for agricultural educators, providing individualized coaching, leadership development, and program support
• Design and deliver high-quality professional development focused on:
  • Effective instruction
  • SAE implementation
  • FFA integration
  • Program quality and the three-component model (classroom/lab, SAE, FFA)
• Provide targeted support to early-career and alternatively licensed teachers
• Assist teachers with Agricultural Experience Tracker (AET), including rostering, degree management, and recordkeeping
• Conduct statewide travel to provide on-site coaching, facilitate workshops, and support local programs
• Support alignment of local programs with Utah CTE standards, agricultural pathways, and workforce needs

Teacher Pipeline Development & Alternative Licensure

• Lead and support the CTE/Agricultural Education Teaching Academy
• Coordinate curriculum, mentoring, and support systems for alternatively licensed (ARL) teachers
• Provide ongoing coaching to support:
  • Licensure completion
  • Instructional effectiveness
  • Long-term teacher retention
  • Contribute to statewide recruitment, preparation, and retention of agricultural educators

Program Evaluation, Research, and Continuous Improvement

• Design and implement a comprehensive statewide needs assessment to identify trends,   Develop and implement innovative curriculum, instruction, and assessment aligned with CTE standards and workforce needs
• Design and conduct statewide needs assessments to identify trends and priority areas
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data on:
  • Teacher recruitment, retention, and completion  
  • Instructional effectiveness
  • Professional development impact
  • Program quality
• Produce annual reports for institutional and legislative accountability (e.g., Utah Legislature)
• Use data to inform continuous improvement of mentoring, PD, and program delivery
• Disseminate findings through reports, presentations, and publications
• Pursue external funding to support program innovation and expansion

Pre-Service Teacher Preparation

• Support pre-service teacher development through:
  • Occasional teaching of undergraduate/graduate courses
  • Mentorship and supervision in field-based experiences
• Integrate pre-service teachers into statewide mentoring and professional networks
• Potentially reestablish and advise the USU Collegiate FFA/FFA Alumni chapter

Partnerships, Service & Professional Engagement

• Build and maintain partnerships with educators, administrators, USBE, Utah FFA, and industry stakeholders
• Serve as liaison between the university and external partners to enhance program alignment and visibility
• Participate in department, college, and university service activities
• Represent the program in professional organizations (e.g., UAAE, UACTE) and statewide/national initiatives

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned master’s degree in Agricultural Education, Career and Technical Education, Secondary Teacher Education, or closely related field (completed by date of appointment)
• Minimum of three years of secondary (middle or high school) teaching experience in agricultural education
• Experience with and knowledge of FFA and the three-component model of agricultural education (classroom/lab, SAE, FFA)
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, administrators, and industry professionals

Preferred Qualifications

• Earned doctoral degree in Agricultural Education, Career and Technical Education, Secondary Teacher Education, or a closely related field (completed by date of appointment)
• Evidence of effective teaching at the postsecondary level
• Experience supervising clinical or student teaching experiences in agricultural education
• Engagement with professional organizations in Agricultural Education or Career and Technical Education
• Experience working with alternative licensure or teacher preparation pathways

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

Three professional references with contact information 

Documents to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”:

Cover Letter

1-2 page Teaching Philosophy: We are looking for evidence of a purposeful approach to teaching that is grounded in examples from your experience

1-2 page Research Statement: We are looking for a summary of your past, present, and future research with an explanation of how your work contributes to the field, advances knowledge, and aligns with the mission of the department

 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with education and experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

 

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

 

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

 

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or [email protected]. 

 

*updated 12/2025

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

 

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

 

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

 

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

 

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Matthew Pinner

Executive Director

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

[email protected]

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

 

Cody Carmichael

Title IX Coordinator

[email protected]

435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

 

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

 

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

 

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

 

*updated 10/2025