Education - Tenure Track - 2013-14

St. Olaf College has an opening for a full-time tenure track teacher education position at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank beginning in September, 2013. Preparing successful teachers to meet the demands of our complex, multicultural society is the centerpiece of our program. We are committed to preparing teachers for work in diverse settings, including urban and international schools. St. Olaf sponsors more than one million dollars annually of grant-funded partnerships with urban schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul through the federal TRiO programs. Our teacher education program emphasizes reflective practice and the development of appropriate professional dispositions; promotes a student-centered philosophy; and offers challenging, supportive practicum and student teaching options. Many of our students elect to student teach in multicultural settings in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Chicago, or Tucson, Arizona. Others teach abroad in our student teaching centers located in India. During our January Term we also supervise nearly 100 students in K-12 practica, most in urban settings. Fifty to sixty students complete our licensure programs each year.

The teacher education program at St. Olaf College is accredited by NCATE and offers four secondary (5-12) and six K-12 teaching licenses that are approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Our teacher candidates have a solid background in the liberal arts, strong content expertise, and first-rate preparation in professional education. St. Olaf is a selective undergraduate liberal arts college located in Northfield, MN, a city of 20,000 people 35 miles south of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Qualifications: A Ph.D. or Ed.D. in educational psychology, curriculum and instruction, education, or a related field is required by date of hire. Further requirements include college teaching experience, a minimum of three years teaching experience in a middle or senior high school, experience teaching diverse student populations, and recent K-12 experience. Preferred background includes expertise in instructional technology, expertise in teacher/program development, a demonstrated commitment to educational opportunity, and seven or more years of public school experience. Associate level candidates must reflect a strong record of teaching, professional activity, educational leadership, and administrative potential.

Responsibilities: Faculty members teach multiple sections of core courses (e.g., educational psychology, foundations, curriculum and instruction); supervise field experiences, including student teaching; advise students in academic and pre-professional development; maintain a productive scholarly and professional life; provide support and leadership for teachers and students in regional K-12 public school settings; participate in service to the department and College; and collaborate with faculty representing teacher education from other departments.

Application Procedures: Applicants must submit application materials on the St. Olaf  College Human Resources website at http://jobs.stolaf.edu. A complete application includes:

  • a cover letter outlining qualifications;
  • a current curriculum vitae;
  • a short statement (1-2 pages) describing your teaching philosophy and research interests;
  • teaching evaluations, if available;
  • unofficial graduate and undergraduate transcripts;
  • names and email addresses for three professional references who can speak to your abilities in classroom teaching and scholarship.

Questions can be directed to the search committee chair:
Elizabeth Berg Leer
1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, MN 55057
educationtt12-13@stolaf.edu
507-786-3474


Review of applications will begin October 1, 2012. We expect to conduct on-campus interviews the week of November 12.

A liberal arts college affiliated with the Lutheran Church (ELCA), St. Olaf College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity in students, faculty, and staff. The college is especially interested in candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our community through their work and service.

To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.