Assistant Educator/Assistant Teaching Professor (Pre-K to Grade 6), Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP)

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Work Schedule: Typically, 8am-5pm, with some flexibility for evenings as needed 

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story:

The College of Applied Studies at Wichita State University seeks a dynamic and experienced colleague to enhance our Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP) Team. Housed in the Department of Teacher Apprentice Pathways, Literacy and Special Education, the Assistant Educator in TAP is a full-time, 9-month, non-tenure-track faculty position with a focus on teaching a variety of content and foundational teacher preparation courses, mentoring TAP students and providing leadership to faculty and adjunct instructors. Applicants must be committed to fostering an inviting environment and promoting the success of our students. The academic appointment for this position will be effective August 2, 2026.

Go from Para Educator to Teacher of Record in a shortened time with Wichita State University's Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP). The faculty prepare students for licensure as a Kansas teacher with our flexible program of study, specially designed for Para Educators to earn their Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Unified / Elementary Education.

Serving over 740 students, TAP prepares students to complete their degree without leaving their current Para Educator job, earning field experience for work as a Para Educator. Courses are 100% online with some in-person options for general education course requirements. An inverted curriculum provides students opportunities to take education courses in their first semester in the program, increasing their skills as a para while working towards licensure. Dedicated success coaches / mentors provide guidance and support to students throughout their time in the program.

Job Summary:

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into the course design and engage with industry and local business community applied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities (e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship, recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities, etc.)

Essential Functions:

Meet expectations for teaching and service, as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties:

Teaching in the TALS department (80%), specifically in the Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP), with a focus on content specific and foundation teacher preparation courses. The specific courses taught and tasks assigned will be determined by the Department Chair and TAP Coordinator based on the candidate’s expertise and interests, as well as the needs of the department and program. A standard assigned course load will be 12 credits per semester, in addition to serving as a Success Coach to TAP students as assigned.

Service (20%) to departmental, college, university, professional and community constituents as agreed upon with the Department Chair. This includes assisting with TAP program-wide and leadership initiatives; maintaining student data; contributing to the creation of the program annual report as well as accreditation and university reports; and engaging in appropriate service activities within the university, professional organizations, and the community.

All candidates for faculty positions should be able to demonstrate the ability to successfully educate and empower a diverse student population.

Faculty Requirements

• MA or MS in Elementary and/or Early Childhood Education related field
• Undergraduate teaching experience
• PreK-grade 6 teaching experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Willingness to accommodate a variety of learning styles and strategies in instructional delivery and learning activities, including online and blended learning, flexible teaching methods, and applied learning approaches.
• Ability to use various forms of technology to communicate with students, faculty, and other stakeholders in and outside of the university in 1:1, small group, and large group settings for varied purposes.
• Knowledge of and ability to describe practical implications of current trends, research, and education within the teacher preparation field.
• Familiarity with national and state standards and their implications to classroom instruction, teacher preparation, and curriculum design.
• Ability to design learning experiences and assessments that model best practices in education and are inclusive of special education students.
• Ability to make data-driven decisions that demonstrate continuous improvement in several settings (i.e. online instruction, K-12 curriculum design, teacher preparation program).
• Ability to learn program parameters and apply them to individual student programs of study and accreditation standards.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with diverse students and colleagues.
• Commitment to fostering an environment in which all students, faculty, staff, and community partners feel welcome, valued, supported, and engaged.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate or ABD in Early Childhood, Elementary, Special Education, or related field
• Experience mentoring pre-service or in-service teachers
• Experience in online course development and implementation

Additional Information:

Please complete the Faculty Profile including the names and contact information of three (3) references, and upload the following documents:

1. Cover letter of interest
2. Curriculum Vitae

Review of applications will begin on October 27, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position – Frequent 60-90%; Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators – Frequent 60-90%

Additional Physical Requirement:

Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves remaining stationary most of the time.

Interested in applying or learning more? Visit the official job posting here: http://jobs.wichita.edu/cw/en-us/job/497766?lApplicationSubSourceID=11261