Adjunct Faculty - English

Adjunct Instructor - English

School of Arts & Humanities

Office of Provost

Tsaile Campus

Duty Schedule:

8-5pm, Monday through Friday, sometimes after hours and weekends

Summary/Objective of Position:

Provide high-quality, remote instructions in English Composition I & II, helping students develop strong academic writing, critical thinking, and research skills. The instructor will utilize online teaching strategies that align with Diné College's mission of serving the Navajo Nation while ensuring student engagement in a virtual learning environment. Key objectives for this position include:

• Effective Online Instruction:
  • Design and deliver engaging, interactive, and student-centered online lessons that foster writing proficiency, argumentation, and research skills.
• Culturally Responsive Teaching:
  • Incorporate Indigenous perspectives, particularly Navajo culture and traditions, into course content where appropriate to enhance student learning.
• Student Engagement & Support:
  • Utilize learning management systems (LMS) and digital tools to maintain a dynamic online presence, encourage student participation, and provide timely academic support.
• Assessment & Feedback:
  • Evaluate student work effectively, provide construction feedback, and use assessment date to improve learning outcomes.
• Adaptability & Innovation:
  • Implement best practices in online education.

Description of Essential Functions of the Position

Disclaimer: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. While this list is intended to accurately reflect the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Will be responsible for delivering high-quality, engaging instruction in first-year writing courses in a virtual learning environment.
• This position requires a dynamic educator who is committed to fostering student success through effective online teaching, culturally responsive pedagogy, and continuous assessment of student learning.
• The instructor will play a key role in guiding student through the development of essential academic writing, critical thinking, and research skills, ensuring that they are prepared for both academic and professional communication challenges.
• in this course, the instructor will integrate the Diné College philosophy, Sa'ah Naagháí Bik'eh Hózhóón, to enrich students understanding of writing process.
• The traditional Diné epistemology will serve as a foundational framework, correlating Nitsáhákees (thinking) with ideal development, Nahat'á (planning) with structuring arguments with organizing thoughts, Iiná (writing) with the drafting process, and Siihasin (revision) with refining and strengthening final compositions.
• By embedding this holistic approach into writing instruction, students will not only develop technical skills but also cultivate a deeper, more meaningful relationship with their academic and personal expression.
• The instructor will design and implement student-centered coursework that aligns with Diné College's General Education curriculum, incorporating best practices in composition pedagogy.
• Using the college's Learning Management Systems (LMS) and other digital tools, the instructor will create an interactive and accessible online learning environment where students feel engaged and supported.
• Providing timely and constructive feedback, the instructor will help students refine their writing abilities while fostering a space for critical inquiry and discussion.
• Additionally, the instructor will be expected to assess student progress, adapt teaching strategies based on learning outcomes, and participate in professional development opportunities to enhance their online teaching skills.
• Collaboration with fellow faculty members and adherence to institutional policies will be essential in ensuring a high standard of instruction.
• Through dedication to academic excellence and cultural integration, the Instructor will uphold the mission of Diné College, preparing students with the skills necessary for lifelong learning and effective communication in an ever-evolving world.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

Minimum:

• Education: Master's degree (MA) in English, Composition, Rhetoric, or a closely related field.
• Teaching Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of college-level teaching experience in English Composition or a related subject.

Preferred:

• Online Teaching Competency: Certified Quality Matters (QM) online instruction.

Knowledge:

• Possess a strong foundation in composition theory, rhetoric, and academic writing pedagogy to effectively guide students through the writing process.
• A deep understanding of essay structure, argumentation, and critical thinking is essential, as students must be able to develop coherent and well-supported written arguments across various academic disciplines. Proficiency in MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) formatting styles is critical, as students will be expected to engage in research-based writing, proper citation practices, and ethical source integration.
• The instructor should be able to teach students how to construct well-organized thesis-driven essays, apply critical analysis techniques, and develop logical coherence in their writing.
• Additionally, knowledge of other formatting styles, such as Chicago and AMA, is beneficial for addressing the diverse writing needs of students pursuing various academic fields.
• Beyond formatting and structure, the instructor must be adept at teaching revision and editing techniques, emphasizing the importance of clarity, organization, and grammatical accuracy.
• Students should be guided through the stages of the writing process- brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising, and proofreading to enhance their ability to communicate effectively in written form.
• In an online learning environment, the instructor must also have expertise in using digital writing tools, plagiarism detection software, and online discussion platforms to foster engagement and academic integrity.
• A solid grasp of asynchronous and synchronous teaching strategies is necessary to ensure that students receive meaningful feedback and support in a virtual classroom setting.
• Furthermore, the instructor should integrate culturally responsive teaching methods, particularly those that align with Diné College's philosophy, Sa'ah Naagháí Bik'eh Hózhóón. By correlating Nitsahakees (thinking), Nahat'a (planning), Iina (writing), and Siihasin (revision) with the composition process, students can develop a deeper understanding of writing as a reflective and iterative practice.

Skills:

• Learning Management System (LMS) Proficiency: Must be proficient in Canvas LMS, including course setup, content organization, assignment creation, and gradebook management.
  • Ability to integrate multimedia resources, discussion boards, and interactive assignments to enhance student engagement. Quality Matters (QM) Certification desired.
  • Quality Matters (QM) online instruction, ensuring adherence to best practices in online course design, accessibility, and assessment.
• Academic Writing and Citation Style Proficiency: Expertise in MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) formatting, including proper citation, referencing, and research documentation.
  • Ability to teach and assess student Proficiency in using Chicago and AMA styles when required.
  • Digital Writing Tools and Plagiarism Detection Software: Competency in utilizing Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and other word-processing tools for document formatting and feedback.
  • Familiarity with Turnitin, Grammarly, or similar plagiarism detection software to uphold academic integrity.
• Video Conferencing and Asynchronous Instruction Tools: Ability to conduct synchronous class sessions and office hours using platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet. Experience using asynchronous discussion boards, video lectures, and automated feedback tools to maintain a strong online presence.
• Assessment and Data-Driven Instruction: Ability to create, administer, and evaluate formative and summative assessments that measure student progress in writing skills.
  • Proficiency in analyzing student performance data to adjust instructional strategies for improved learning outcomes.
• Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Understanding of ADA compliance and accessibility standards, ensuring course materials are accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. Ability to incorporate closed captions, screen reader-friendly documents, and alternative content formats into course design.

Abilities:

• Must have reliable access to a high-speed internet connection and a modern, high-performance computer capable of handling multiple applications simultaneously.
• Given the nature of online teaching, they must be proficient in using Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) to create and manage course content, upload assignments, facilitate discussions, and track student progress.
• In addition, they should be able to utilize video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet to conduct virtual office hours, synchronous lectures, and student conferences.
• Have access to and be able to operate a high-quality microphone, webcam, and headset to ensure professional-grade audio and video for online interactions.
• Skilled in using screen recording and editing software, such as Camtasia, Screencast-O-Matic, or Loom, to create engaging instructional videos, as well as tools like YouTube or Panopto for video hosting and sharing.
• Must be able to use word processing and document annotation tools such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Adobe Acrobat to provide detailed feedback on student writing.
• They must also be familiar with plagiarism detection software like Turnitin or Grammarly to help students uphold academic integrity.

Physical Requirements, Work Environment & Travel:

• Long periods of screen time, make ergonomic awareness essential.
• The instructor should be able to maintain an organized home or remote workspace that allows for distraction-free instruction, grading, and communication with students.
• Given the nature of online teaching, they must also demonstrate strong time management and self-discipline to meet grading deadlines, respond promptly to student inquiries, and maintain a consistent online presence.