Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education - College of Education and Community Innovation

The Early Childhood Education program at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is looking for a tenure track faculty member to join the Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education & Community Innovation at the assistant professor level to serve primarily undergraduate students taking courses in early childhood education that also fulfill general education requirements. Primary responsibilities include: teaching undergraduate courses in early childhood and early childhood special education, both in person and using online modalities; supervising candidates in the field; participating in service obligations; and conducting meaningful research that will be disseminated to a diverse audience. For this particular position, expertise is especially needed as it relates to the philosophies, theories and historical foundations of early childhood education; the impacts on child development & how childhood is influenced by the current context; knowledge in the seminal texts of the field and contemporary insights; and movements that help lead to increased equity, culturally responsive and sustained teaching, and inclusive learning environments. Opportunities may also exist for teaching courses for graduate students and courses connected to observation and documentation, learning through play, child guidance, and collaborating with families.

Salary Range & Benefits:  $64,000 - $66,000, commensurate with experience.

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Primary Duties: 

• Teach undergraduate courses in early childhood, both in person and using online synchronous and asynchronous modalities
• Supervise candidates in diverse settings and using online tools
• Maintain clear and professional communication with students and colleagues
• Use evidence-based teaching practices that emphasize active learning, inquiry, anti-bias education, and critical reflection, to support students as they learn to work effectively with young children and their families and future colleagues
• Engage in service activities at the program, unit, college, university, and community level
• Conduct and disseminate meaningful scholarship

Required Qualifications and Education: 

• An earned PhD or EdD degree or ABD (with expected graduation by August 2027) by an accredited institution in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Development, Instruction and Curriculum, or Teacher Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood, Family Studies, or Human or Child Development
• At least three years experience working with a range of young children and/or young children with disabilities and their families in an education setting (ages infant/toddler, preschool, and/or early elementary)
• The ability to consistently teach face to face courses on GVSU City and Valley campuses
• An interest in teaching coursework that addresses the philosophies, theories, and historical foundations of early childhood education
• The capacity to travel to provide clinical supervision in diverse settings
• The ability to engage with a variety of technologies to deliver instruction face to face and in online synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid modalities
• Demonstrated excellence in delivering high quality and engaging instruction to adult learners
• A passion for teaching culturally relevant, responsive, and sustaining pedagogies and preparing educators to work with diverse populations
• A commitment to educating the whole child and promoting inclusive teaching practices
• Strong interpersonal communication and collaboration skills
• A research agenda, with the ability to disseminate findings to a scholarly audience
• An interest in working as part of a team in developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and activities that support programs in early childhood education
• An interest in contributing professional expertise to the community and profession

Preferred Qualifications and Education: 

• Experience teaching adult learners at the university or college level, particularly as it relates to the Foundations and Philosophies of Early Childhood, Observation and Documentation, Child Guidance, Collaborating with Families, and Play-Based Curriculum courses
• Knowledge and familiarity with the seminal texts of the field, including those that relate to the history of education and more contemporary insights around the application of these principles
• More than five years experience working with diverse populations as a licensed educator within an early childhood setting, particularly in early elementary settings
• The ZA, ZS, or ZN teaching endorsement, as awarded by the Michigan Department of Education
• Experience or familiarity with teaching courses that meet General Education requirements and serve primarily first and second year students from a variety of academic disciplines
• Professional membership or involvement with NAEYC or CEC
• Experience teaching with the Blackboard Ultra Learning Management System
• A promising track record of disseminating research in peer-reviewed journals, books, and through scholarly presentations
• Experience with program evaluation and/or with accreditation standards

Working Conditions:  Typical office environment, some travel may be required.

How To Apply: Apply online at jobs.gvsu.edu and select "Apply now". Please include a (1) cover letter and (2) CV. The cover letter must address one’s areas of expertise, especially as it relates to one’s knowledge and use of theoretical frameworks to explain and enact early childhood pedagogies; one’s experience working with young children and their families; and how one has worked with adult learners thus far and what has or has not been effective in those teaching pursuits.

The online application will allow you to attach these documents electronically. On the application, you will be required to provide names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for three professional references (to be used only in the final stage of consideration). Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview.

Applications missing required documents will not be considered. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact search committee chair Dr. Kathryn Ohle at [email protected].  If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].

Application Deadline: Consideration of applications will begin immediately and the posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University; preference will be given to applications received by October 25th, 2026.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

 

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.