Assistant/Associate Professor

University of Colorado | CU Denver

Literacy Education Faculty Position

Responsive Literacy Education Teaching Program

Assistant or Associate Professor

Tenure-Track Faculty Position # 350393

Job Requisition #23080

* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

The University of Colorado has a requirement for COVID-19 vaccinations and full completion thereof by 9/1/21 or upon start date.  Information regarding this requirement, and exemptions can be found at:

Denver: https://www.ucdenver.edu/coronavirus

Exemptions vary by campus location/department.

Campus/Unit-Specific Exemptions:

• Denver Campus - Exemptions are allowed for medical, religious, or personal reasons.
• Consolidated/Central Services Administration – Will follow Anschutz policy on exemptions.

The University of Colorado Denver seeks individuals with demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive learning and working environment.  We value the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds.

Job Summary

The School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) announces a tenure-track faculty position in Literacy Education beginning August 15, 2022.  

This Elementary Literacy position is housed within the Responsive Literacy Education (RLE) program, which spans K-6 Reading/Writing, 7-12 Reading/Writing, and Secondary English Education. The K-6 and 7-12 Reading and Writing program is based on the International Literacy Association standards for Literacy Professionals and the Colorado State Department of Education, and the English Education program is based on standards outlined by the National Council of Teachers of English and the Colorado State Department of Education.  

The RLE program is currently seeking an established scholar and teacher in literacy who brings a strong background in literacy instruction for diverse groups of learners. Faculty filling this position will assume a leadership role in undergraduate and graduate literacy education across multiple aspects of the K-6 Literacy program, including undergraduate and graduate core courses and teacher licensing courses, as well as MA, Ph.D. and/or Ed.D. levels. At all levels including licensing, Master’s, and Doctoral, faculty are expected to develop and maintain close partnerships with schools and other educational agencies situated in social and economic contexts with diverse student and community populations.

The School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) is a leading school of education, providing national expertise on educational issues and socially-just solutions for urban and diverse communities. The SEHD has taken a leadership role in preparing professionals to work in diverse schools, agencies and related settings. The SEHD emphasizes working with multiple types of collaborative partnerships including PK-12 schools, local communities, businesses, government agencies, private foundations, and other universities and colleges. The SEHD was ranked 85th nationally in 2021-22 by US News and World Report.

The University of Colorado Denver is one of four campuses in the University of Colorado System. As Colorado’s only public urban research university, CU Denver educates a student body with varied backgrounds through quality academics, ambitious research, creative work, and civic engagement in the city we call home. The university is located in downtown Denver, home to a diverse community (32% Latinx, 11% African American), and the university’s 15,000+ students reflect this diversity.  Half of all freshmen are first generation and 42% of the total student body are BIPOC. We offer 100+ degree programs through our eight schools and colleges: College of Architecture and Planning, College of Arts & Media, Business School, School of Education & Human Development, College of Engineering, Design and Computing, Graduate School, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and School of Public Affairs. We attract students who are passionate about careers in teaching and mental health. We match their passion with an education that is rooted in equity and diversity, technology, proven approaches, and real-world practice.

The university recently completed an ambitious Strategic Plan that repositions CU Denver to be a public urban research university that works for all : learners of all kinds and at all stages of life, industries and employers that need talent ready to hit the ground running, and communities requiring new solutions and discoveries.

About CU Denver

Major Responsibilities:

Support program development and teach courses across the range of degree programs including undergraduate core, initial teacher licensure, MA, and doctoral, while also serving as faculty advisor for graduate students.

Teach a combination of K-6 literacy courses in the licensing and MA areas, as well as the PhD or EdD programs, in face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats. Courses include, but are not limited to: Elementary Literacy; Reading Development, Instruction & Assessment; Literacy Assessment & Informed Instruction; Writing Development, Instruction & Assessment; Primary Literacy; Literacy Across the Curriculum; and Children’s Literature. A continuing program goal is weaving language development, literacy for bilingual learners, multicultural education and culturally and linguistically responsive teaching into all courses.

Participate and collaborate in the general undergraduate and graduate teacher licensing program. Participation may include the program admissions process, the culminating assessment process, student orientations, site professor position in a Professional Development School, and related duties. 

Participate in the development and implementation of a strategic process for recruiting underrepresented groups into literacy education. 

Maintain and participate in improvement of performance-based assessments aligned with professional standards and Colorado State Standards to inform program improvement and renewal.

Conduct a rigorous research agenda, resulting in publications, presentations and grants, to address literacy concerns in culturally and linguistically diverse contexts. Engage actively with other faculty within RLE and across the SEHD in the development and elaboration of research.

Develop research grants in collaboration with other colleagues in the SEHD and with community partners.

Rank: Assistant or Associate Professor (all hires will go through the tenure process appropriate to rank and experience)

Position Start Date: August 15, 2022   

Salary and Benefits:

The salary range for this position has been established at:

Assistant Professor $72,000 to $80,000.

Associate Professor $80,000 to $85,000

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation. 

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

The University of Colorado offers a full benefits package. Information on University benefits programs, including eligibility, is located at Employee Services .

University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background checks for all new employees prior to their employment.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work. Alternative formats of this ad are available upon request for persons with disabilities.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits .

Total Compensation Calculator: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/total-compensation

Diversity and Equity:

Please contact [email protected] for information on disability accommodations

Office of Equity: https://www1.ucdenver.edu/offices/equity

The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate in Literacy Education or a closely related field
• Teaching experience across a range of K-6 grades or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated success in research, grant writing and scholarship with a focus on early reading instruction, cultural diversity, bilingual learners, and/or literacy problems of practice
• Demonstrated success in teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level and in a variety of formats.
• Commitment to the professional field of literacy education as evidenced by teaching, school experience, research and professional affiliations at the state and national levels such as: NCTE, ILA, AERA, ALAN Review, LRA, TESOL, NABE, NAME, etc.
• Clear evidence that social justice is addressed in syllabi, teaching, professional development and research
• Experience with culturally, linguistically and economically diverse communities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and/or degrees across a range of elementary levels
• Ability to provide leadership for undergraduate and graduate licensure in elementary education and the MA and doctoral graduate program in literacy education. This includes support for recruiting, admissions, culminating projects, student orientations, and similar duties.
• Experience with and background in literacy assessment
• Knowledge of complex school issues and an interest in collaborating with a variety of educational constituencies in varying environments
• Experience working with teacher candidates in professional development school networks
• Demonstrated success or potential for providing professional development for teachers
• Experience mentoring graduate students in research related activities

Employment Conditions

This is a full-time academic year (nine-month) position. Opportunity for summer teaching may be available. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and rank.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.