Assistant/Associate Teaching Professor – Department of Education
The Department of Education in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Teaching Professor. This position will focus primarily on the Masters of Art in Teaching (MAT) and the Education Leadership and Policy Studies Doctoral (EdD) programs. The position start date is September 1, 2026.
This distinctive position is designed for an accomplished educational leader who brings significant field experience in K-12 educational administration and a demonstrated commitment to bridging the gap between educational leadership theory and practice. The successful candidate will leverage substantial administrative expertise to prepare the next generation of educational leaders while maintaining vital connections between the university and the regional K-12 educational community.
The appointment level will be made commensurate with experience. This is a 9-month, non-tenure-track position with primary responsibilities for graduate instruction in educational leadership, including advising doctoral students, fostering K-12 partnerships, undergraduate advising, and university service. Initial appointment is for two years, with the possibility of renewal and promotion.
The College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Education value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. We seek a teaching faculty member who brings authentic leadership experience, values working in a collegial, collaborative environment, and is guided by a commitment to helping all students achieve their educational goals. The ideal candidate will embrace our commitment to student success and will support an inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning environment.
Position Overview
This position offers a unique opportunity to translate extensive field experience in educational leadership into transformative graduate education. The successful candidate will connect the university and the K-12 educational community, bringing current, real-world perspectives to classroom instruction while maintaining active engagement with regional school districts and educational organizations.
Duties
The successful candidate will be an engaging and effective educator with a strong commitment to student learning and success, The successful candidate will also have substantial professional experience in educational leadership roles. Responsibilities include:
- Teaching educational leadership courses at the graduate (EdD and MAT) and undergraduate levels, with particular emphasis on courses such as Transformative Educational Leadership, Classroom Interactions, and related curriculum
- Mentoring EdD students through all phases of their doctoral program, including dissertation advising, drawing on practical leadership experience
- Developing and sustaining strategic partnerships with K-12 school districts, administrators, and educational organizations throughout the region
- Supporting student recruitment and program development initiatives
- Implementing inclusive and evidence-based teaching and learning approaches informed by field experience to ensure the academic success of a diverse student population
- Collaborating with faculty to develop curriculum that reflects current leadership practices and challenges in K-12 education
- Providing academic advising to graduate and undergraduate students
- Conducting program-level assessment, including data collection and analysis of programmatic data for continuous improvement and accreditation
- Participating in university service activities, including committee work
- Serving as liaison between the university and the K-12 educational community
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must have:
- Earned a doctoral degree (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) in Educational Leadership, Higher Education Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, or closely related field. The degree must be conferred by September 1, 2026.
- A minimum of five years of administrative leadership experience in K-12 education
- Experience teaching at the college level and/or substantial experience in professional development and adult learning
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills, both oral and written
- A demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence and student success
- Authorization to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess a distinguished record of leadership in K-12 education and a commitment to preparing future educational leaders. Specifically, we seek candidates with:
Leadership Experience in K-12 Education:
- Significant administrative experience as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, or equivalent district-level leadership position
- Documented success in leading organizational change and improvement initiatives in K-12 settings
- Experience serving in leadership roles in diverse, urban, or high-needs school districts
- Track record of building and sustaining collaborative partnerships with multiple stakeholders including school committees, municipalities, community organizations, and families
- Experience with strategic planning, budget development and oversight, policy implementation, and personnel management in educational settings
- Demonstrated leadership in curriculum development, instructional improvement, and teacher evaluation systems
- Experience with school accreditation processes, state compliance requirements, and educational policy implementation
K-12 and Higher Education Partnership Development:
- Proven track record in developing memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and formal partnership agreements between educational institutions
- Experience coordinating field placement programs, internships, or residency programs for aspiring educators or leaders
- Background in collaborative grant writing or securing external funding for educational initiatives
- Established professional network within the Massachusetts K-12 educational community, particularly in the Southcoast region
Additional Qualities:
- Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to innovate in response to evolving needs in educational leadership preparation
- Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders
- Commitment to student success, program excellence, and continuous improvement
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a faculty team to achieve shared educational goals
- Passion for developing the next generation of educational leaders who will serve diverse student populations
UMass Dartmouth is located in the beautiful ocean side community of Dartmouth, about an hour south of Boston, half-hour east of Providence, and half-hour west of Cape Cod. It offers a world class education to undergraduate and graduate students each year in over 40 undergraduate and 23 graduate programs offered by the College of Engineering, College of Nursing, Charlton College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Visual and Performing Arts, School of Law and School for Marine Science and Technology.
UMass Dartmouth has transformed the lives of 40,000 alumni and distinguishes itself as a vibrant, public research university dedicated to engaged learning and innovative research. and the institution serves as a catalyst for the development of educators and educational leaders along the south coast and beyond.
SALARY:
Assistant Teaching Professor - $70,000.00-$75,000.00
Associate Teaching Professor - $76,000-$79,450
UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:
- 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- State Pension Retirement Plan
- Optional Retirement Savings Plans
- Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
- Twelve (12) paid holidays
- And More!
Benefits for Faculty Federation
Application Process
UMass Dartmouth is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, Title IX Employer.
Qualified applicants are invited to submit electronically:
- A letter of interest that specifically addresses how your leadership experience in K-12 education prepares you for this Professor of the Practice role
- Detailed curriculum vitae highlighting administrative leadership positions and accomplishments
- A concise statement on teaching philosophy that articulates how you will bridge theory and practice in preparing future educational leaders
- Contact information for at least three professional references, preferably including individuals who can speak to both your leadership experience and teaching capabilities
Employment is contingent upon verification of background/credentials and work authorization.
Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.
The review of applications will be ongoing until the position is filled.