Description

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Education - Assistant Professor of Elementary Literacy/Social Studies
Classification Title Faculty Full Time (.75-1.0 FTE)
Benefits Eligibility
Benefits Eligibility

Department Education
Job Description
The Hope College Education Department invites applications for a tenure-track position in the Elementary (PK-3 & 3-6) program with a strong emphasis on literacy and social studies beginning in the Fall 2027 semester. We seek candidates who will effectively teach both the first literacy course in the elementary sequence, which introduces the literacy processes and key concepts that undergird the teaching of literacy in the elementary classroom, and the PK-3 social studies course, which explores instruction, standards, and curricula.

Responsibilities include teaching multiple sections of undergraduate courses, advising teacher candidates, researching in a related educational field, fostering positive relationships and partnerships with local schools in and around the Greater Holland Community, and actively participating in college and departmental service, including serving on the elementary and accreditation teams.

About the Education Department:
The Hope College Education Department consists of a dynamic group of 14 faculty and three support staff. The department offers certification in Elementary (including a minor in Early Childhood Education) and Secondary with endorsements in Special Education (LD and EI) and ESL. The State of Michigan consistently ranks Hope's teacher education program as one of the top-tier teacher education programs in Michigan. The Hope College Education Department has full national accreditation.

Is this a visiting faculty position? No
Rank Assistant
Qualifications
General qualifications include a valid teaching certificate with an elementary endorsement, a record of excellence in teaching literacy and social studies, a robust scholarly agenda and dissemination of work, effective interpersonal and communication skills, and a commitment to diversity in education. To be considered for this position, candidates must have a Ph.D. or E.D., a focused research agenda, and teaching expertise.

Specifically, applicants need experience in literacy instruction that helps candidates address topics like: What does it mean to be literate? How do children learn to speak, listen, read, and write? The importance of using culturally responsive practices in creating an environment and teaching literacy, and the importance of understanding the vital role literacy plays in one's life, especially related to communication. Applicants should also have experience teaching key social studies concepts, including powerful social studies instruction as defined by the National Council for Social Studies, the C3 Framework, and the Anti-Bias Standards. This content is especially important as the field continues to shift toward representing traditionally marginalized perspectives that students may not have learned in their own elementary experiences. While teaching this content, instructors will model Core Teaching practices and other pedagogical approaches that students can use in their own clinical experiences and future classrooms.

Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to all aspects of Hope's mission as a liberal arts college. We are grounded in robust ecumenical Christian aspirations and daily strive for inclusive excellence. As part of the application, we ask all candidates to describe how they will engage and support the holistic mission of the College, particularly how their commitment to the Christian faith, the liberal arts, and inclusive excellence shapes their approaches and identities as teachers, scholars, and mentors. More guidelines for Hope College candidate's response to the mission statement can be found at hope.edu/jobs.

Application Instructions
As part of the online application, applicants will be required to upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, a description of proposed professional development activities, and a statement of how the candidate's background and interests can contribute to the mission of Hope College. In addition, please enter the contact information for three references on the application (including current email addresses). Those references will be supplied a link via email to submit a letter of recommendation.

If interested in applying, please submit the required documents to the Hope College Human Resources Office by September 25, 2026. You may contact Dr. Deborah Van Duinen, chairperson (vanduinen@hope.edu), with any questions.

Physical Demands
This position requires remaining in a sitting or standing position for frequent periods of time; uses office machinery such as a computers, printers, copy machines; Occasionally involves moving items over 10 pounds; frequently will move between different offices/workspaces/buildings; and requires effective communication abilities. In the case of temporary or permanent condition(s) that require(s) accommodation(s), reasonable accommodation(s) may be requested.

Pre-employment Screenings
"All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check. Some positions may have position specific requirements, such as education/licensure/certification verification, a physical, drug screening, credit checks and/or transportation record review."

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number 2026-007FR
Job Posting Open Date 08/28/2026
Job Posting Close Date 10/26/2026
Open Until Filled No
Is this position available for sponsorship No
Special Instructions to Applicants
Quick Link for Internal Postings https://jobs.hope.edu/postings/5572

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Unofficial Transcripts
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Mission: Christian response
5. Research Statement

Optional Documents