Job Description

Title: Assistant Professor of Literacy Education
Employee Classification: Asst Professor
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: College of Education
Department: School of Teaching and Learning
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The School of Teaching and Learning invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Literacy Education beginning August 16, 2027.

We seek candidates with expertise in foundational literacy development and instruction and quantitative or mixed methods literacy research. The successful candidate will contribute to elementary and/or middle-level teacher preparation through literacy methods instruction and supervision of clinical and field-based experiences. The position requires a commitment to equitable and accessible literacy education that recognizes and builds upon learners' cultural and linguistic resources.

Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
• Teach undergraduate literacy methods courses in elementary and/or middle-level teacher preparation programs.
• Supervise and support teacher candidates during clinical and field-based experiences.
• Maintain an active program of scholarly research and publication.
• Engage in service activities that support the School, College, University, and profession.

In addition, the successful candidate will have opportunities to:
• Teach master's and doctoral courses and mentor graduate students within the School of Teaching and Learning.

This is a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor appointment. The normal teaching load is nine credit hours per semester, typically consisting of three courses each semester, which may include clinical teaching and supervision responsibilities. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The locus of annual evaluation, tenure, and promotion is the School of Teaching and Learning. A comprehensive benefits package is included, and summer teaching opportunities may be available.

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

School of Teaching and Learning (TCH):
The School of Teaching and Learning (TCH) is housed within the College of Education at Illinois State University. Our faculty are committed to advancing leadership in teaching, learning, and teacher education at the state, national, and international levels. We have 38 full-time tenure-track faculty in teacher education programs at the undergraduate, master, and doctoral levels who work collaboratively with colleagues in four other Colleges on campus, public schools, and communities.
TCH is home to a vibrant community of scholars and educators who are committed to culturally and linguistically sustaining pedagogies, developing innovative approaches to education, collaborative relationships, and shared leadership. The University has been developing teachers both within and outside the state of Illinois for over 150 years. University lab schools and local school partnerships offer opportunities for authentic and connected classroom experiences to enhance the preparation of teacher candidates. On-campus lab schools promote research embedded collaborative opportunities with faculty.
For more information about our School, visit: https://education.illinoisstate.edu/about/departments/tch/

Illinois State University
llinois State University was founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in seven colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2030, 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, we create 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 https://strategicplan.illinoisstate.edu/metrics/.

Bloomington-Normal Community
Bloomington-Normal: 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

$76,716-$85,068, commensurate with experience and qualifications

Required Qualifications

1) Terminal degree in literacy education or a related field, or ABD with degree completion required prior to the faculty appointment.
2) Minimum of three academic years of classroom teaching experience, including literacy instruction, in public school settings.
3) Deep theoretical and practical knowledge of foundational literacy development and instruction, with expertise in one or more areas such as phonological awareness, phonics, word recognition, spelling, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
4) Commitment to teaching undergraduate literacy methods courses in elementary (K-6) and/or middle-level (5-8) teacher preparation programs that connect literacy theory, research, policy, and classroom practice and prepare preservice teachers to enact equitable, culturally, and linguistically sustaining literacy instruction.
5) Commitment to supervising and supporting undergraduate teacher candidates during clinical field experiences or practicums in various school settings.
6) An active and promising research agenda in literacy education, with evidence of scholarship, including conference presentations and/or publications. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research engages quantitative or mixed methods approaches and who demonstrate an interest in, or experience with, QuantCrit or related critical approaches that examine issues of power, equity, and the assumptions embedded in data, methods, and interpretation. Clear potential for peer-reviewed scholarship, national conference presentations, and the pursuit of funding appropriate to an early-career scholar.
7) Candidates must be able to demonstrate oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position, as mandated by state law.

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

August 16, 2027

Required Applicant Documents

1) Cover letter, addressing (a) interest in the position, (b) relevant literacy teaching experiences, (c) other experiences that align with the role, and (d) commitment to culturally and linguistically sustaining literacy instruction. (maximum 2 pages)
2) Teaching Statement (maximum 1 page)
3) Research Statement (maximum 1 page)
4) References (3)
5) Academic Writing Sample
6) CV

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 October 20, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information for Applicants

Francess Harris
Director’s Assistant, School of Teaching & Learning
Email: fharris@illinoisstate.edu

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 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.