Description
The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is seeking a Clinical Assistant Professor in Elementary Education in the Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education (TPTE). We seek a collaborative colleague with a strong commitment to teaching and student support who will contribute to elementary teacher preparation. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Position begins August 1, 2027.
The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences is a multidisciplinary unit with faculty members housed in five departments. TPTE, the College’s largest department, brings together experts across education fields to prepare individuals for impactful careers in educational settings and beyond, bridge innovative research and practice, and serve communities through educational excellence. The department is organized into three units, and this position resides within the Language, Culture, and Teacher Education (LCTE) Unit.
Elementary Education faculty prepare teachers to provide effective and engaging learning experiences for elementary students across diverse school and community contexts. The program emphasizes strong connections among coursework, clinical experiences, and partnerships with schools and communities. The department and college are expanding access to elementary teacher preparation through a new online undergraduate program in elementary education and a Graduate Practitioner distance education pathway, creating flexible pathways into the teaching profession for students across Tennessee and beyond. The successful candidate will contribute to the continued delivery and growth of these programs and bring perspectives and expertise that extend and complement the strengths of our faculty and programs.
Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in elementary education, particularly in online and distance formats; providing high-quality teaching, advising, mentoring, and support for students across different pathways and stages of teacher preparation; contributing to the development, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of online and distance elementary education programs; and supervising and supporting preservice teachers in clinical experiences. The successful candidate will develop and maintain collaborative relationships with schools, districts, and educators across the state; collaborate with faculty to align coursework, clinical experiences, assessment, and program outcomes; and provide service and leadership to the department, college, university, profession, and educational communities.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications: Applicants must have an earned doctorate by the start date in Elementary Education, Teacher Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or a closely related field; substantial professional experience teaching elementary-aged students; and experience with or demonstrated expertise in online, distance, hybrid, or technology-supported education. Applicants should provide evidence of successful college teaching or demonstrated potential for effective college teaching; the ability to effectively advise, mentor, and support students; effective communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills; and a commitment to working collaboratively with faculty, school partners, and students.
Desired Qualifications: Desired qualifications include knowledge of current research and national developments in the teaching and learning of elementary students; developing or teaching online or distance education courses or programs; supervising, coaching, or mentoring preservice or practicing teachers; working with adult learners, transfer students, or nontraditional teacher candidates. Additional areas of expertise include those that extend and complement existing strengths within the Elementary Education program and TPTE.
Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin January 20, 2027, and continue until the position is filled. Please apply online at [insert link] and submit a cover letter addressing qualifications and interest in the position; curriculum vitae; a Statement of Teaching and Professional Practice (1–2 pages) describing your approach to teaching and supporting teacher candidates, including how your professional experiences inform your teaching and how you prepare candidates to work effectively with learners in varied school and community contexts; and the names and contact information for three professional references. References will be contacted for finalists or semi-finalists.
Questions regarding the position can be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Kate Bentley, Clinical Assistant Professor, Language, Culture, and Teacher Education at mbentl10@vols.utk.edu
Applications received outside of the Interfolio system via Indeed or any other application website or system will not be considered. For more information about the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, please visit the College website https://cehhs.utk.edu
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.
