Job Title

Elementary Education, Tenure-Track Faculty

Department

Elementary and Special Education

University Expectation

MTSU seeks candidates committed to innovative teaching, robust research/creative activity, and meaningful service. We also seek to attract culturally and academically diverse faculty who value working with diverse students.

Salary

The salary and rank are commensurate with education and experience.

Job Summary/Basic Function

The Department of Elementary Education at Middle Tennessee State University invites applicants for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of assistant or associate professor. The start date for the position is August 1, 2026.

We seek a collaborative and forward-thinking educator-scholar with expertise in elementary education, particularly in one or more areas: mathematics, social studies, science education, or special education. The successful candidate will firmly commit to preparing future educators, advancing evidence-based practices, and contributing to a collegial academic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in elementary education with an emphasis on mathematics, social studies, science, classroom and behavior management, or related areas.
• Model effective, content-specific pedagogy aligned with best practices.
• Supervise and mentor teacher candidates in field experiences and residency placements.
• Support recruitment and retention of teacher candidates.
• Maintain an active and productive research and scholarship agenda.
• Provide service to the department, college, university, community, and profession.

Additional responsibilities may include:

• Contributing to curriculum development, accreditation, and program innovation.
• Supervising theses and dissertations.
• Collaborating with local education agencies (LEAs) and community partners to support program goals.

Required Education

A terminal degree in elementary education is required by the appointment date. Alternatively, a terminal degree in curriculum and instruction, mathematics education, science education, social studies education, or a closely related field is acceptable with at least 18 graduate credit hours in elementary education.

Required Related Experience

Three (3) years of teaching, providing services, or administration experience in U.S. elementary schools (grades K-6).

Other Desirables

• Valid certification in elementary education with an endorsement in mathematics, social studies, or science.
• Experience in classroom and behavior management in P–5 settings.
• University-level teaching experience or program coordination at the undergraduate or graduate level.
• Teaching experience in a postsecondary setting.
• Demonstrated success in advising and mentoring pre-service teachers.
• Experience developing curriculum and online courses.
• Evidence of pursuing or securing external funding.
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from various backgrounds, traditions, and perspectives.
• Flexibility, open-mindedness, and professional responsiveness to prepare candidates to succeed in varied contexts and to adapt to the needs of those they serve.

Documents Needed to Apply

To successfully apply, applicants must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, and statement of research or creative activities (as appropriate to the discipline) as separate attachments at the time of online application.

NOTES:

• The teaching philosophy should demonstrate content expertise in elementary mathematics, social studies, or science education.
• The research statement should provide evidence of an emerging or sustained research agenda that informs the applicant's work in teacher education.

Special Instruction to Applicants 

For more information about serving as a faculty member at Middle Tennessee State University, please visit our faculty recruitment webpage.

If you need help applying, please contact Mitzi Dunkley, Faculty Recruitment Specialist, at (615) 898-5128. If you have position-specific questions, please contact Bonnie Barksdale at Bonnie.Barksdale@mtsu.edu.

Application Review Date: 11/09/2025