Job Listings

DEPARTMENT OF LEADERSHIP AND TEACHER EDUCATION

ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFFESOR OF READING EDUCATION

TENURE TRACK POSITION AVAILABLE AUGUST 15, 2025

THE DEPARTMENT OF LEADERSHIP AND TEACHER EDUCATION in the College of Education and Professional Studies at the University of South Alabamainvites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in Reading Education at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. This appointment is a nine (9) month position beginning August 15, 2025.

There is no better time than NOW to be a reading educator at the University of South Alabama. First, the State of Alabama has recently passed the Alabama Literacy Act (2019) that focuses on improving reading in Alabama public schools. This act has focused on improving foundational reading skills among students in the early grades. Because of this focus, schools are in need of highly-qualified reading teachers who are able to provide quality reading instruction. While the reading program at the University of South Alabama has received positive outcomes from the National Council on Teacher Quality (grade “A”), the hire for this position will help grow and further improve the reading program.

Second, given the current focus on reading education at the state level, the Department of Leadership and Teacher Education will be proposing two complementary doctoral programs in teacher education, each with a concentration in literacy. One program will be a Doctor of Education, designed to support teacher leaders (e.g., literacy specialists) in becoming critical consumers of the research who can apply that research in their settings. The second program will be a Doctor of Philosophy, which will support the development of independent scholars capable of conducting research as faculty in a teacher education program. The individual in this faculty position will contribute to the development and success of these doctoral programs.

Finally, the College of Education and Professional Studies will soon establish the Center for Excellence and Research in Teacher Education (CERTE). The goal of the center is to provide a space for faculty and graduate students to engage thoughtfully in the work of teacher education and serve as a thought leader and thought partner with the state’s department of education. The College’s current Literacy Center will exist as a sub-unit in CERTE, thus supporting its ability to connect research to practice. CERTE will serve as a synergistic hub of scholarship to support and enhance the work of the Assistant/Associate Professor of Reading Education.

RESPONSIBILITIES includeengaging in scholarly research and publication focused on Reading Education or Literacy; seeking external funding for research and/or training grants; teaching undergraduate and graduate courses with area of expertise; supervising students completing practicum and internships; advising graduate students; supporting students completing capstone projects; engaging in professional and community service through cooperative work in community and university partnerships; and working collaboratively with departmental faculty to promote, develop, and grow the Reading Education program.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS include:

1. an earned doctorate in Literacy, Reading Education, or closely related field (ABDs will be considered as long as degree is earned by start date);

2. at least three years of experience teaching reading in PK-12 schools, and the ability to meet state teacher educator code requirements;

3. evidence of or potential for scholarly productivity in peer-reviewed academic journals;

4. emerging evidence of a cohesive research agenda;

5. evidence of or plan for seeking external funding for research or training grants;

6. experience providing undergraduate or graduate level instruction in reading or literacy;

7. ability to provide instruction in face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online formats;

8. evidence of or potential for advising undergraduate and graduate students;

9. plan to build collaborative partnerships with local PK-12 schools; and

10. evidence of collaboration with faculty peers across disciplines.

For associate professor consideration:

1. evidence of receiving tenure at a regionally accredited institution of higher education; and
2. cohesive research agenda with clearly articulated path to seeking full professorship.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS include:

1. experience as a Reading or Literacy Coach in the PK-12 schools;

2. CALT Certification or Dyslexia Therapist credentials;

3. Experience working in a university-based literacy center.

THE DEPARTMENT OF LEADERSHIP AND TEACHER EDUCATION currently has 15 full-time tenure track faculty, four non-tenure track instructional faculty members, and two staff members providing instruction and training for undergraduate and graduate students who are seeking certification to prepare them for professional responsibilities in PK-16 schools. The Department offers certification and non-certification programs in Educational Leadership at the master’s, specialist, and doctoral levels. Undergraduate programs include specialization in Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, and Special Education. The Department also offers graduate programs in Elementary, Early Childhood, Reading, Secondary, Special Education, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.

THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES is one of nine colleges and schools of the University of South Alabama. Founded on February 1, 1967, the college serves approximately 1,700 graduate and undergraduate students. The College offers undergraduate and graduate education certification programs, as well as programs that are outside of the public-school arena. These areas include health, kinesiology, sport and recreation, mental health, instructional design, hospitality and tourism, and interdisciplinary studies.

The College is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, with programs accredited by the Alabama State Department of Education, the American Psychological Association, and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Across all program areas, the College of Education and Professional Studies is committed to preparing exemplary professionals committed to life-long learning who are leaders in contributing to the betterment of our diverse and dynamic world.

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA is a diverse and vibrant public university that is making a difference in the lives of the people of Alabama and the nation through teaching, research, service, and health care. The University offers a wide range of high-quality undergraduate and graduate academic programs to 14,000 students. Located in the city of Mobile, the University of South Alabama is a major public institution of higher learning on the upper Gulf Coast. The university is located within the largest school district in the state of Alabama, which serves over 50,000 PK-12 students, and has a satellite campus in one of the fastest growing counties in the country.

INTERESTED APPLICANTS should email (1) a letter of interest to include a description of research, teaching, and service experiences; (2) a current curriculum vitae; (3) a statement of research; (4) the names, affiliation, and contact information for three references, and (4) copies of unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts to Ms. Carjetta Taylor, Assistant to the Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies at applyceps@southalabama.edu. Please include “Reading Education Faculty Search” in the subject line.

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For full consideration, applicants must submit materials by March 1 4 , 2025. Inquiries about the position should be directed to Dr. Rebecca Giles, Search Committee Chair at (251) 380-2761 or email at rgiles@southalabama.edu.