Description

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Education - Open Rank Professor: Elementary Pedagogical Specialist
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 an open-rank, tenure-track position in the Elementary (PK-3 & 3-6) program, with an emphasis on curriculum instruction and teacher education, beginning in the Fall 2027 semester. We seek candidates who will effectively teach the Elementary Capstone course, which is a 6-credit course that students take right before student teaching. It includes a 50-hour clinical experience, the longest in the program, during which students plan and teach lessons (many for the first time) in math, science, and social studies. The goal of this course is to prepare students for student teaching. As the culminating course in the elementary sequence, students pull together and practice standards-based education, curriculum analysis and development, integration, differentiation, data-driven instruction, and assessment. Students are encouraged to articulate their vision of teaching, which is captured in their portfolios, which this course spends considerable time developing. Practice-teaching is a cornerstone of this course as students rehearse instructional strategies and receive feedback both in class and through GoReact (a video platform used throughout the Education department). They also practice enacting the four Core Teaching Practices mandated by the Michigan Department of Education, which they will be assessed on during student teaching.

Responsibilities include teaching multiple sections of this undergraduate course, 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.

Rank is open and determined by experience in higher education, compensation is determined by rank.

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 Open
Qualifications
General qualifications include a valid teaching certificate in elementary education, a record of excellence in teaching and scholarly activity, knowledge and skills in curriculum, instruction, and assessment, application of technology for instruction, 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.

The successful candidate will have a solid grasp of teacher education. Because this course encompasses both content and skills development, the instructor needs a particular set of knowledge and skills. Being an effective teacher is not enough, as learning to teach in this way requires familiarity with certain conceptual frameworks and pedagogies. The person hired for this position needs an understanding of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), which is a specialized type of knowledge that focuses on knowing both what to teach and how to teach it in ways that make sense to specific learners. It enables teachers to anticipate student misconceptions, choose appropriate explanations, and adapt their teaching to the specific demands of the content. Instructors pull all of these elements together by engaging in Practice-based Teacher Education, which allows new teachers to enact rigorous instructional methods that they might not be able to do on their own, with support and feedback from more knowledgeable others. This requires designing and facilitating learning experiences in which students can analyze and improve their teaching in a safe environment where they can make mistakes and receive constructive feedback.

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 with and support the College's holistic mission, 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 candidates' responses to the mission statement are available 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. 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 2026-008FR
Job Posting Open Date 09/03/2026
Job Posting Close Date 11/06/2026
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/5594

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Unofficial Transcripts
3. Letter of Recommendation
4. Curriculum Vitae
5. Mission: Christian response
6. Teaching Philosophy
7. Research Statement

Optional Documents