Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Teacher Education with expertise/specialization in special education

Job Title Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Teacher Education with expertise/specialization in special education

Job Description Summary, Duties and Responsibilities, Required Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications

The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by December 5, 2025. Applications received after December 5, 2025 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

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About URI:

The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State’s flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The University of Rhode Island’s Feinstein College of Education seeks applicants for a tenure-track assistant professor in early childhood teacher education with a focus on early childhood special education. This is a full-time, nine-month appointment beginning in Fall 2026. The search committee is particularly interested in candidates who, through their teaching, scholarship, and/or service, will enhance the College’s commitment to equitable educational practices and academic excellence.

The University of Rhode Island is an R1 research-intensive university with a commitment to high-quality teaching and community partnerships. The Feinstein College of Education is a community of educational scholars, leaders, and practitioners with a shared commitment to enhancing equity and inclusion within and outside of schools, bridging research and practice, and serving diverse and underserved populations.

The successful candidate will participate as a core faculty member in the early childhood and special education teacher education programs as well as COEDU graduate programs. The selected candidate will be expected to engage in scholarly research, publication, and presentation at professional conferences; secure internal and/or external grant funding; teach undergraduate and graduate courses; mentor doctoral students; participate in department and university committees; and develop and maintain collaborative and professional partnerships with local schools and districts. It is a desire that this candidate will be able to work collaboratively across disciplines to advance both the College of Education and local district partners’ needs to develop greater teacher preparation that addresses the lack of Prek-3 teachers with knowledge and expertise in special education.

ESSENTIAL KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Developing and maintaining an appropriate agenda of research and funding; teaching early childhood and special education courses including, but not limited to early childhood development; early intervention; supervising teacher candidates in residency placements; advising undergraduate and graduate students; mentor doctoral students; and engaging in sustainable partnerships with local schools and districts to build knowledge and improve practices that serve a diverse population of students. Duties may also include teaching courses and advising in additional programs in the College.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform other duties as required.

LICENSES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

Personal computers, printer, word processing, database management and spreadsheet software.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is not substantially exposed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

1. Ph.D/Ed.D. in Education, Special Education, or closely related field (or expected completion of degree requirements prior to start of the Fall 2026 semester).

2. Record of scholarly activity commensurate with level of experience.

3. Experience as a PK-3 teacher in a school setting.

4. Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.

5. Proficiency in written communication skills.

6. Commitment to and/or experience in equity, social justice, and inclusion in education.

7. Experience working with diverse groups/populations.

PREFERRED:

• Experience developing, maintaining, and/or engaging in collaborative and professional partnerships with local schools and districts in the area of early childhood development and special education.
• College or university teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• Experience collaborating with families and communities to promote the learning and development of young children.
• Experience teaching in pre-K to grade 3 in a public school environment with specific expertise/experience in special education or inclusive settings.
• Demonstrated ability in culturally responsive teaching to meet the needs of linguistically, culturally, racially, and/or economically diverse students.
• Demonstrated potential for developing, securing, and managing externally funded projects.
• Experience teaching online and hybrid environments.
• Record of professional involvement in organizations such as National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and/or Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).

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URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state’s public flagship

university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly

representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts.

All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status.

Qualified individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.

Union AAUP – American Assoc of Univ Professors

Status Academic Year, Full-time, Tenure-track, Permanent

End Date of Restriction or Limitation

Department Teacher Education

Contact(s)

Please note: Job applications must be submitted directly online only at: (https://jobs.uri.edu)

Contact Email

Campus Location Kingston

Grant Funded No

Extension Contingent on Funding Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please attach the following 3 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:

(#1) Cover letter/Letter of Application (should address how you meet required [and, if relevant, preferred] qualifications, including research and teaching experience and diversity/equity commitments to equity, advocacy, and justice in educator preparation (*please elaborate on this in your cover letter) as one complete document.

(#2) Curriculum Vitae.

(#3) Other Document – a 500-word Statement of teacher education philosophy, including your approach to teaching and collaborating in a diverse educational community (as one complete document).

Please Note: Applicants may be asked at a later date to submit, in person, up to two samples of related scholarly writing if selected for interview.

NOTE: References will be upon request by the Search Committee.

Position Number 106317

Posting Number F00487

Posting Date 10/21/2025

Closing Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/15823

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