What are the responsibilities and job description for the Instructor - Early Childhood Inclusive Program position at University of Nebraska at Omaha?
Position Information
Job Title
Instructor - Early Childhood Inclusive Program
Department
Teacher Education
Essential Functions
The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Teacher Education (TED) and Special Education and Communication Disorders (SECD) Departments are seeking an Instructor for the Early Childhood Inclusive Program to join our dynamic and growing team. We are seeking candidates who are accepting and affirming of all people and who have experience in organizing and implementing education programs for undergraduate students. Successful candidates should have experience in inclusive, early childhood education settings, including special education, prior background in culturally relevant pedagogies and working with diverse populations, leveraging funds of knowledge in education, and play-based learning.
The ECI Instructor, in collaboration with TED and SECD chairs and the ECI Director, will teach TED and SPED coursework, support teacher candidates’ social, emotional, and academic needs, coordinate policies, collaborate with school districts and early childhood settings and function with a high degree of autonomy. Duties include teaching ECI courses, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels; contributing to the diversity, inclusion, access, and equity efforts; supervising field experiences, collaborating with schools; and participating in institutional initiatives directed toward excellence in educator preparation and development. This is a full-time, benefits eligible position with an anticipated start date of August 18, 2025.
The university and department have a strong commitment to achieving diversity among faculty and staff. The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. UNO is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an E-Verify employer.
Work Schedule
Varies
Additional Duties
Curriculum Coordination & Communication: Serving as a professional partner with college department chairs, the Director of Certification, and the Community Chair of Early Childhood Education, and the ECI Program Director to (re)develop and coordinate relevant and aligned coursework within the ECI program for different educator pathways.
Instruction, Facilitation, and Mentorship: Serve as an instructor of record for coursework within the undergraduate B.S. ECI program and/or the M.S. in Elementary Education with Early Childhood Endorsement. Duties will include instruction, assessment, and field supervision which includes working with community education partners and mentorship/navigation to support student needs.
Why UNO?
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is fueled by its historical ties to Omaha. As the first municipal university in Omaha, the early founders’ goal was to make higher education accessible and affordable for the city’s residents. In 1968, the campus joined the University of Nebraska system, and today has the unique role of serving as the state’s metropolitan campus.
Accessibility remains a top priority in UNO’s mission and vision. Today, the campus is known for its student-centered environment, its community engagement, and its dedication to embracing students from all types of backgrounds. UNO’s ranking as the 2020 Best College for LGBTQ Students In Nebraska (https://www.bestcolleges.com/features/top-lgbtq-friendly-colleges-by-state/) reflects a commitment to the Maverick values of access, inclusion and diversity that make UNO a welcoming campus community, evidenced by the numerous resources and support services offered by the university.
The campus has built strong partnerships with local business, education, government, arts, and civic organizations in the city. UNO’s commitment to community engagement has landed UNO on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for seven consecutive years—the highest federal recognition a school can receive for civic engagement.
This honor is but one of many points of pride for UNO. In 2019, it was ranked in the top ten public institutions in the nation for military friendliness by Military Times magazine for the fifth consecutive year. Nearly 90 percent of UNO’s 15,500 students are from Nebraska, and roughly 60 percent of recent alumni surveyed report graduating with no debt or less than $5,000 in debt. It is simply one of the most competitively priced institutions in the region. UNO, while large enough to provide students with global opportunities, thrives on its personal and close-knit campus culture, where students come first and partnerships with the community grow every day. For more information about how UNO embraces its mission, see Growing With and Within Our Thriving Community. (https://www.unomaha.edu/academic-affairs/faculty-support/che-ad-for-uno—-may-20201.pdf)
Required Qualifications
A master’s degree in the field of education related to early childhood and/or special education.
Successful candidates must also have at least three years of successful full- time teaching experience as a birth-grade 3 educator/practitioner in general education or special education and/or childcare settings; commitment to teaching other teachers and an understanding of adult learning; experience with professional development and utilizing broader social services when necessary on and/or campus contexts, prior evidence of a commitment to mentoring/coaching; a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; awareness of the current issues and trends impacting education and in particular, early childhood inclusive education; and demonstrated organizational and communication skills.
Successful candidates must also have at least three years of successful full- time teaching experience as a birth-grade 3 educator/practitioner in general education or special education and/or childcare settings; commitment to teaching other teachers and an understanding of adult learning; experience with professional development and utilizing broader social services when necessary on and/or campus contexts, prior evidence of a commitment to mentoring/coaching; a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; awareness of the current issues and trends impacting education and in particular, early childhood inclusive education; and demonstrated organizational and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
A terminal degree (e.g., Ed.D.) in the field of education
Preference will be given to candidates with: university teaching experience in early childhood education or early childhood special education, prior curriculum development; evidence of working with students in culturally/linguistically diverse settings; and collaboration experience between a university, community organizations and partners, and public schools and/or early childhood settings.
Preference will be given to candidates with: university teaching experience in early childhood education or early childhood special education, prior curriculum development; evidence of working with students in culturally/linguistically diverse settings; and collaboration experience between a university, community organizations and partners, and public schools and/or early childhood settings.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Regularly sits; may stand, walk. See, hear, speak and use of hands.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Regularly works indoors. Noise level is low to moderate.
Salary
55,000-60,000
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
2025F-00100
Open Date
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applications must be submitted directly through the UNO website https://unomaha.peopleadmin.com/postings/23191 to be considered for this position. Any applications submitted via email or any other website will not be reviewed or considered.
To apply, please submit the following application materials:
To apply, please submit the following application materials:
1) Cover letter
2) Curriculum vita (with three professional references listed)
3) Official transcripts
4) A Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEIA) philosophy narrative describing how you foster an inclusive and equitable learning environment for students from diverse perspectives.
Review of applications will begin on March 3, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, please apply by the review date. For questions about the position, please contact Kelly Gomez Johnson, Teacher Education Department Chair at kgomezjohnson@unomaha.edu.
