Clinical Assistant Professor, Early Childhood/Primary Education

General Description / Primary Purpose:

The Department of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum, within the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services, is seeking a 12-month, non-tenure earning, Clinical Assistant Professor of Early Childhood/Primary Education. This position is designed for an experienced educator and teacher-leader committed to excellence in teaching, clinical supervision, partnership development, advising, and educator preparation across diverse educational settings.

The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in clinical supervision and coaching, early childhood and primary education, literacy and structured literacy practices, inclusive education, child development, and evidence-based instructional practices. The faculty member will support undergraduate and graduate programs while collaborating with schools, community organizations, and university partners to strengthen educator preparation, experiential learning, and community engagement initiatives aligned with the mission of the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services.

Position Responsibilities:

• Teach clinical courses and supervise/mentor/coach teacher candidates in instructional planning, classroom management, assessment, differentiated instruction, and professional dispositions; teach undergraduate and graduate courses in early childhood/primary education.
• Serve as Program Area Leader for Early Childhood, including supporting program initiatives, adjuncts, and part-time faculty, assisting with scheduling, practicum and intern placements, and with recruiting, advising, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students (including TEACH Scholars) regarding academic progression and clinical experiences and placements.
• Provide leadership for the UNF Preschool’s mission as a “lab school to provide a research and training site for UNF’s academic community” including serving on the advisory board.
• Support curriculum development aligned with Florida Department of Education standards, accreditation requirements, and best practices in early childhood and educator preparation.
• Participate in program assessment, accreditation activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Engage in service activities within the department, college, university, and professional community.
• Collaborate with faculty on innovative teaching practices, research, grant opportunities, and community-engaged experiential scholarship.
• Maintain knowledge of current trends in early childhood education, literacy development including structured literacy, child-centered models, inclusive practices, educational technology, and child development.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with local schools, districts, the UNF Preschool, and community organizations in the area.

Supervisor: This position will report to the Department Chair.

Working Hours: Varies

Supervision Exercised: This is not a supervisory role.

Required Licensure: N/A

Anticipated Start Date: The position is expected to begin on August 3, 2026. 

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctorate or terminal degree in Education or a closely related field from an accredited institution by the employment start date.
• Minimum of three years of successful P–12 teaching, including experience working with students with disabilities and various learning needs.
• Experience teaching, supervising, mentoring, and supporting teacher candidates in various clinical and field-based settings.
• Effective communication, collaboration, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of literacy instruction, reading development, structured literacy, and Science of Reading-aligned evidence-based practices across early childhood and primary grade levels.
• Experience with establishing relationships with school-based partners; serving as faculty in residence.
• Experience with teacher preparation accreditation standards (e.g., CAEP, NAEYC, Florida DOE standards, FEAPs).
• Experience with inclusive education, exceptional student education (ESE), multilingual learners, and differentiated instruction.
• Experience with online learning management systems and instructional technology platforms (e.g., Canvas, GoReact, Zoom, or similar educational technologies).
• Experience designing and delivering high quality instruction in face-to-face, hybrid and online formats.
• Experience developing partnerships with public schools and other stakeholders.
• Record of professional presentations, grants, or leadership activities.

Additional Application Materials Required: 

Applicants should be prepared to provide the following required documents: 

• Current curriculum vitae  
• Cover letter 

Name, phone number, and email address of three professional references will be requested during the application review stage.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials by the date of hire. 

Additional Requirements: 

Applicants may be required to upload additional documents based on their responses to the Foreign Influence Review questions. 

• Passport (all pages including blank pages) and  
• Form DS-160 (if ever submitted. If not, upload an explanation) 

Application Review Date: Initial review of applications will begin on July 31, 2026.

Job Posting Close Date: Open until filled.

How to Apply: Applicants must submit an online application that includes all required application documents. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Dr. Christian Winterbottom at c.winterbottom@unf.edu, or (904) 620-5029.

About the Department: The Department of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum, through teaching, research and public service, and its commitment to leadership and excellence, strives to enhance the quality of education in its varied forms and settings in Florida, the nation and the world. For more information about the department visit: UNF: Department of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum.

Statement(s) of Understanding

This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check.

The holder of this position is designated as a “Responsible Employee” pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University’s Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator

Pursuant to Florida Statute 1010.35, this position requires additional information from all applicants seeking research or research-related positions prior to an interview or offer of employment. Applicants MUST fully complete the Foreign Influence Review section of their application. Additional documents (e.g., passport) may be required based on form responses.

Equal Opportunity

The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.

Carnegie

UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University’s collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF’s mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.