Assistant Professor of Education

Position Summary:

The School is looking for individuals committed with experience teaching in the P-12 setting. The candidate will teach a wide range of undergraduate and graduate education courses for students seeking licensure in Elementary, Secondary and/or K-12 Education; supervise students in field experience placements; serve in various leadership roles and committees within the School, university and community; apply technology to curriculum and instruction in the teaching and learning process; maintain positive collaboration with local public schools; and maintain involvement in scholarly endeavors and activities.

A background in early literacy/science of reading, and/or special education is required, along with the knowledge and ability to engage in programmatic assessment as it pertains to student learning and program goals and perform other duties as required or assigned. Some travel, evening, weekend, and online course delivery required. Hard work, cultural sensitivity, initiative, flexibility, commitment to authentic professional interaction and a sense of humor are also valued.

Anticipated Start Date: January 11, 2027

Mission of the Department

The School of Education at Adams State University is dedicated to inspiring and empowering the cultivation of educational Leaders who embrace diversity, facilitate change, and contribute to the learning and inclusion of all students, particularly in rural regions. 

Based upon the model of the professional educator as a reflective decision-maker, the school prepares: 

• Educational leader who actively participate in school improvement, applying the skills necessary to facilitate school reform while fostering collaboration and cooperation amongst multiple stakeholders
• Competent professionals who seek out and manage resources to support instruction, engage in constructive discourse on a wide range of educational issues, understand and implement state standards, and model best practices
• Culturally responsive teachers who facilitate learning for all students

Content and Pedagogical preparation includes:

• A liberal arts education and content area knowledge in the area of licensure
• Application of evidence-based theories and strategies of learning and instruction to classroom practice, including:
  • Literacy
  • Colorado content standards-based curriculum
  • Instructional management
  • Formal and informal assessment practices
  • Instructional strategies that address a wide range of learning styles, including effective strategies for linguistically and culturally diverse students

The School of Education is authorized by the Colorado State Board of Education to provide licensure and endorsement programs.  All MA degree-seeking candidates must successfully complete a capstone project in order to meet requirements for the degree

We recognize that women and people of color are often less likely to apply to a position if they don’t match 100% of the job qualifications. Don’t let that be the reason you miss out on this opportunity! We encourage you to apply if you can demonstrate many of these skills and competencies.

Minimum Qualifications

• An earned Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Education, from an accredited institution
• A strong focus on teaching
• Demonstrates knowledge of, sensitivity to, and ability to work effectively with, the educational needs of individuals and groups with a diverse range of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities
• Evidence of responsiveness to and understanding of the racial, socioeconomic, academic, and cultural diversity of Adams State University’s student population, including students with different abilities (e.g. physical and or learning) as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded, inclusive practices within the classroom
• Demonstrated commitment to honesty, efficacy, and collaboration.
• Experience in education with an emphasis in mathematics education, early literacy/science of reading, social-emotional learning or trauma-informed practice
• Currency in the field documented by at least 3 years’ experience as a credentialed PK-12 teacher
• Currency in higher education demonstrated by experience in teacher preparation at undergraduate and graduate levels
• Quality instructional delivery that is engaging, diverse and addresses multiple learning styles as reflected in positive course evaluations
• Experience working with and advocating for diverse and underrepresented student populations and a desire to serve in rural areas
• Participation in professional organizations
• Record of commitment to community engagement activities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with strong leadership capabilities, including a demonstrated commitment to integrity and fairness
• Knowledge of current pedagogy and significant skill in teaching in an online environment
• Ability to develop and foster relationships with high school counselors, community college advisors, and college-prep advisors
• Ability to treat others with respect, civility, and courtesy and to work honestly, effectively, and collegially with employees, students, and the community. This includes the ability to use appropriate conflict management skills to effectively manage any disagreement that might arise or to bring the disagreement to management for assistance in productive resolution when the situation requires
• Demonstrated initiative in seeking new partners and opportunities for recruitment
• Experience professionally managing social media accounts
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Ability to perform with diplomacy, confidentiality and professionalism
• Ability to perform outlined job descriptions

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability or experience working with historically under-served and/or underrepresented populations, and first-generation college students.
• Ability or experience in the recruitment and/or retention of underrepresented students, including students of color.
• Commitment to professional development, scholarship, and service to the university and community.
• Demonstrated self-awareness of one's own cultural beliefs, perspectives, and privileges as a part of one's orientation towards teaching.
• Demonstrated decision-making that is informed by research, data, and theory and that leverages students' unique cultures, experiences, and background as strengths.
• Current teaching and/or administrator license
• Experience in teacher preparation curriculum development, assessment, and program design at both undergraduate and graduate levels
• Experience in program authorization or accreditation

Salary and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $52,060 - $65,070 commensurate with experience and education. In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For detailed benefits information please visit https://www.adams.edu/hr/benefits/ Opportunities for supplemental contracts may be available.

How to Apply: 

All interested candidates must submit application materials electronically through Adams State University’s Workday application portal.

No other format of application material will be accepted.

Required Documents Cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, Informed response, graduate transcripts, and three references.

Completed applications should include the following:

• Curriculum Vitae

• A detailed cover letter of application addressing teaching interest/experience as well as how professional interests and goals align with Adams vision and values.

  • We encourage applicants to discuss their commitment to scholarly and/or creative excellence.

  • Additionally, we seek to learn how scholarly excellence is interwoven with their approach to service, teaching, mentoring, and affirming diverse perspectives.

• Teaching Statement: (include sample course syllabi) in addition to describing your approach to teaching in general, please address the following questions:

  • What do you feel are the best strategies for supporting students who have been historically marginalized in (enter discipline)?

  • What role should faculty play in student success?

• Informed Response regarding Adam State’s Commitment to People, Place and Perspective.

  • People: An understanding of, and commitment to, the people who study, work, lead and help or have helped shape our university.             

  • Place: An understanding of our university's geographical and historical context within the San Luis Valley region and commitment to the unique opportunities and responsibilities that come with being part of this place.

  • Perspective: An understanding of the intersecting perspectives that define our university’s resilience, grit, strength, and innovation from being a low-income, first-generation, and Hispanic-serving, rural anchor university and commitment to intentionally supporting individuals who possess these characteristics.

  • Please address the following:

    • Your understanding of Adams State’s history, the people who occupy it, and the place in which it is located and how you will contribute to our unique university environment.

    • Articulate how your understanding of our location in the San Luis Valley, with its unique challenges, and its realities, such as scarce resources, rurality, the land and geography, and current and historical occupants will be manifested in your approach to teaching, research, and service.

    • Share your understanding of the unique characteristics that make up our university such as First-Generation, Low-Income, Hispanic Serving, and being a rural anchor university, and how those perspectives influence your role as a faculty member. Please give specific examples from your experiences in the classroom, or in your teaching and mentoring experience(s), or other relevant experiences from your life that inform your perspective(s).

• References: name, job title, and contact information (email, phone).

• Unofficial Graduate Transcripts (officials requested upon hire)

For full consideration, applications should be received by 8/15/2026. Review of applications will begin immediately after this date.

The position will remain open until filled. Applications received after the priority deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee.

Questions about the position may be directed to

Curtis Garcia, PhD, Search Committee Chair

curtislgarcia@adams.edu

Adams State University is a state-supported, regional comprehensive university located in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado and the city of Alamosa. As the state’s premier Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), over 50 percent of its undergraduate students represent racially diverse backgrounds. A high percentage of undergraduate students are first-generation and Pell eligible. The university offers undergraduate programs in the arts and humanities, physical and natural sciences, mechanical engineering and computer science, social sciences, kinesiology, fine arts, business, and nursing, and specializes in educator preparation in several disciplines. Adams State also offers graduate degrees in cultural resource management, public administration, music education, kinesiology, higher education administration and leadership, history, business (MBA), and educator programs, including counselor education; the university also has a doctoral (PhD) program in counselor education. The university has an active athletic program. The Adams State Grizzlies athletic teams compete under the auspices of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

Adams State University is committed to building and expanding the talent of its professional staff and actively seeks qualified applicants who bring unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and attributes that can augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff and can contribute to serving and preparing our students to engage and thrive in their learning, leadership, and service.

We strive to create a more representative workforce that mirrors the people who study, work, and lead our institution and welcome applications from candidates from all walks of life, especially members of communities who fall within state and federally protected classes such as: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.

We value qualified candidates, with varied language skills, who have a record of successful experience with varied communities and student populations, and who have a deep understanding of and commitment to the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the place we are situated in and the intersecting perspectives that define our university being a low-income, first-generation, and Hispanic-serving, rural anchor university. Therefore, we seek individuals committed to intentionally supporting students and colleagues who possess these characteristics through their teaching, service, and scholarship.

The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State’s purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.

Adams State University is committed to building and expanding the talent of its professional staff and actively seeks qualified applicants who bring unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and attributes that can augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff and can contribute to serving and preparing our students to engage and thrive in their learning, leadership, and service.

We strive to create a more representative workforce that mirrors the people who study, work, and lead our institution and welcome applications from candidates from all walks of life, especially members of communities who fall within state and federally protected classes such as: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.

We value qualified candidates, with varied language skills, who have a record of successful experience with varied communities and student populations, and who have a deep understanding of and commitment to the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the place we are situated in and the intersecting perspectives that define our university being a low-income, first-generation, and Hispanic-serving, rural anchor university. Therefore, we seek individuals committed to intentionally supporting students and colleagues who possess these characteristics through their teaching, service, and scholarship.

The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State’s purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.

Additional information about the university and the academic mission may be found at www.adams.edu/academics/
 

Disclosures:

In compliance with the Immigration Control Act of 1968 candidates for positions must provide proof of eligibility to work before an offer of employment can be made final.

Adams State University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors, and to protecting its funds, property and other assets. Well-informed hiring decisions contribute to this effort. Therefore, Adams State University has adopted a policy on background screening for its prospective, continuing, and returning employees as well as students in certain circumstances. Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check. The information received in response to a background check will be treated as confidential to the extent provided for by law.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Adams State University (ASU) may be directed to ASU's Office of Equal Opportunity, and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Support resources for sexual misconduct, ASU's  sexual misconduct policies, contact information for the Adams State University's Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX, as well as a detailed  procedure for filing a grievance due to discrimination on the basis of sex may be found online at  https://www.adams.edu/administration/oeo/reporting-sexual-harassment/.  These  procedures also describe the University's response to reports and/or complaints of sex discrimination or sexual harassment.  

Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, disability, and, as covered by law, veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation including transgender status and gender expression, marital status, and parental status.