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Title: Director of the School of Teaching and Learning
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: College of Education
Department: School of Teaching and Learning
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The College seeks a dynamic, collaborative leader to advance the School’s mission and vision while supporting Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access (EDIA) in our policies, personnel, and in our undergraduate and graduate programs. The Director will support high-quality teaching, research, and service, as well as advocate for resources needed to prepare teacher leaders for the nation’s schools. The Director is responsible for long-range planning, fiscal management, personnel, faculty and staff advancement, program assessment, curriculum review and development, and oversight of the Mary and Jean Borg Center for Reading and Literacy. The Director will develop and maintain partnerships within and outside the University, as well as promote School programs to campus, alumni, businesses, governmental, and other educational stakeholders. The successful candidate will advocate for the School to be at the forefront of discussions in Illinois related to teacher preparation and provide active leadership for faculty and staff within a university culture of shared governance and collegiality. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2025.

Illinois State University (ISU) especially welcomes candidates who have experience working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity and equity.

University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Additional Information

The School of Teaching and Learning: The School of Teaching and Learning (TCH) is home to five undergraduate teacher preparation programs and three graduate programs. The School includes faculty who are recognized for their high-quality research and publications, as well as being well-grounded in experiences as classroom teachers. The School includes 44 tenure-line faculty, more than 90 nontenure-line faculty, six academic professionals, and six civil service staff. The Director of the School of Teaching and Learning collaborates with the Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs, the Associate Director of Graduate Programs, and the Associate Director of Scheduling and Contractual Staff to coordinate, support, and enhance TCH programs. The School provides individualized attention to students while preparing them as future teachers and teacher leaders. TCH faculty successfully secure annual external funding in support of nationally and internationally recognized scholarships, positively impacting Pre-K-12 schools.

The School’s undergraduate teacher preparation programs include early childhood education, elementary education, middle-level education, secondary education, and bilingual-bicultural education. Collectively, more than 1,600 students are enrolled in these programs, which offer robust and rigorous clinical experiences. These include eight professional development schools and numerous additional public-school partnerships distributed across the state and beyond. Teacher candidates may also complete their student teaching in other states and countries upon approval. Sixty-five percent of teacher candidates receive an English as a second language endorsement. Other endorsements or approvals include reading and special education. For middle-level majors, a minimum of two content area endorsements are completed. In addition, students from undergraduate teacher preparation programs in four other colleges across the University take courses within the School.

The School also offers nationally acclaimed master’s and doctoral programs. These include a Master of Science in Teaching and Learning, a Master of Science in Reading and Literacy, a Post-Baccalaureate Library Information Specialist Certificate, and a Doctor of Education in Teaching and Learning (Ed.D.). Together, graduate programs serve more than 200 students. The school also houses the Mary and Jean Borg Center for Reading and Literacy. Through a range of programs, partnerships, and collaborations, the center is committed to growing its services and involving partners in learning, research, and assessment and to developing innovative approaches to disseminating research findings.

College of Education: The College of Education complements its enduring commitment to inclusive teacher preparation and the development of educational leaders with the pursuit of valued scholarly contributions. A distinguished faculty, and the students they mentor, engage in work that discovers, integrates, and applies disciplinary knowledge while also advancing the University’s commitment to the scholarship of teaching and learning. Illinois State was awarded $195 million in grant funds over the last four years, with $50 million being awarded to the College of Education. Centers and institutes (described below) help coordinate these efforts and enhance the College of Education’s and the University’s prominence in and impact on the field.

The College of Education is organized into the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations, the Department of Special Education, School of Teaching and Learning, Metcalf School (P-8), University High School (9-12), and the Cecilia J. Lauby Teacher Education Center. The college enrolls nearly 3,000 students who choose from a wide array of teacher and administrator preparation programs, including elementary education; early childhood education; middle level education; reading, bilingual and bicultural education; learning and behavior; deaf and hard of hearing; low vision and blindness; leadership, equity, and inquiry; and areas of educational administrator/leadership. Graduate programs are offered in teaching and learning, special education, K-12 administration, and higher education administration.

The College of Education is among fewer than 100 in the nation that includes public Laboratory Schools. Metcalf and University High schools provide a unique public educational option from pre-kindergarten through the senior year for approximately 2,000 students from surrounding communities. The schools also serve as sites for clinical experiences that are critically important to the college’s future teachers.

Illinois State University: Illinois State University was founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. ISU enrolls approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, ISU creates a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

The salary range for this position is $151,000 to $162,000. A comprehensive benefits package is included.

Required Qualifications

For full consideration, applicants must have: 

• A doctoral degree in a relevant field to the School of Teaching and Learning with academic achievement that merits appointment, with tenure, at the rank of associate or full professor. 
• A minimum of three years of teaching experience in Pre-K through 12th-grade school settings. 
• A successful record of teaching, scholarship, and service. 
• A successful record demonstrating a commitment to equitable public education.  
• Administrative and/or leadership experience in higher education. 
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrative colleagues, alumni, and professional communities. 
• An understanding of developing and managing budgets. 
• An understanding of processes for securing and managing internal and external funding. 

State law mandates demonstrable oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position. 

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

July 1, 2025

Required Applicant Documents

1) a cover letter describing experiences related to required qualifications and interest in this position; 2) a current vita; 3) a statement of leadership philosophy, including experience in support of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access (EDIA); and 4) a list of 3-5 professional references (with phone numbers and email addresses).

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Review of applications will begin January 24, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information for Applicants

If any applicant has questions about the position, please contact Hannah Uranich, Office of the Dean Support Specialist (hgurani@ilstu.edu or 309-438-2453).

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.