Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track Probationary Appointment – Early Childhood Education

Brock University

Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track Probationary Appointment – Early Childhood Education

Job Summary
Situated on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, and the territory covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement, the Faculty of Education at Brock University invites qualified candidates to apply for a probationary tenure-track appointment in Early Childhood Education at the rank of Assistant Professor. The appointment, subject to budgetary approval, will commence July 1, 2023.

About the Position
Early childhood education (ECE) sets the foundation for lifelong learning, developmental trajectories, health, and well-being. To support this critical and expanding discipline, we require a scholar with thorough understanding and ability to theorize, develop pedagogies, and mobilize knowledge addressing critical and contemporary issues within ECE.

Qualifications and Requirements
Applicants are required to have clear evidence of a developed or developing line of high-quality scholarship in Early Childhood Education with a focus on curriculum and pedagogy. Preferred candidates will have experience with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDID) in ECE. While we welcome applications from doctoral candidates who are nearing completion, the successful applicant must have completed a doctoral degree in Early Childhood Education by the start date of the appointment.

The following qualifications are required: (a) successful teaching experience at the post-secondary level (face-to-face and online teaching modes); (b) professional experience in early childhood education settings; and (c) evidence of strong connections with the local, national, and/or international ECE community at the scholarly, governmental, and/or practice levels. The candidate is expected to be knowledgeable of current debates in the field of Early Childhood Education and be conversant with one or more early learning frameworks throughout Canada.

The following qualifications are preferred: (a) demonstrated commitment to ensuring decolonizing, reconciliation, anti-racist, social and ecological justice issues within ECE through course design, research endeavours, and/or teaching approaches; (b) evidence of potential to contribute to academic knowledge and research mobilization within the field of ECE; (c) extensive knowledge of research, theories, practices, and national and international policies underpinning ECE; and (d) a commitment to advancing the field of ECE through the promotion of innovative research, theories, and practices.

About the Program
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) online program, in which this position is associated, is unique and heralded both within the university and nationally as a quality college-transfer program that positions students with the skills and competencies to meet the needs of children and their families. Most of the teaching will be in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program with possible teaching in the MEd and/or PhD programs of our faculty.
Our faculty members are committed to scholarship and teaching that fosters anti-racist, decolonial, and sustainable communities that affirm human and nonhuman, onto-epistemological diversity, and equity. Our fully online BECE program is focused on preparing educators throughout a degree program that critiques and reconceptualizes notions of early learning and child development. The degree program contributes and supports Brock’s Strategic plan (2018-2025), which aims to foster a culture of inclusivity, accessibility, reconciliation, and decolonization (https://brocku.ca/strategic-plan/).

About Brock
With a student population of more than 19,000, Brock is renowned for its exceptional campus experience and high level of student satisfaction. Brock offers 150 undergraduate and graduate degrees in six academic faculties and is home to world-class instructors and researchers making breakthroughs of all kinds each and every day. Founded in 1964 by the Niagara community, Brock remains a proud partner committed to improving the vitality of the region even as it extends its global reach.

Our Geography
The Niagara region holds a place in history as home of many of Canada’s significant events in Black history. As a key site of Black resistance during the underground railroad and Niagara’s Freedom Trail and crossing point of Black American abolitionist Harriet Tubman, Brock has built partnerships with local Black community groups and leaders. Brock University’s main campus is situated atop the Niagara Escarpment, within a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, overlooking the city of St. Catharines, in the heart of Niagara wine country. The Niagara region is dotted with landmarks that recognize our nation’s history and features breathtaking natural beauty and world-famous attractions. St. Catharines is home to vibrant arts and entertainment venues, and is a short drive from Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo, New York. With one of the warmest climates in Canada, and surprisingly affordable real estate, Niagara is an exceptional location to call home.

What We Offer
Brock University offers competitive salary and benefits and ample support for research and sabbaticals. Research resources include; conference support, start-up funding, subscriptions to major databases and access to various research funding vehicles.  For candidates considering relocation, moving expenses will be administered according to the Brock University Faculty Association Collective Agreement.  
The Faculty of Education is home to multiple research labs and centres advancing knowledge of teaching and learning within Canada and internationally. For more information, please visit https://brocku.ca/education/
What to Include in the Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter: A 3–5-page single-spaced cover letter that concisely addresses:
o Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID)
 Include details outlining your approach(es) to addressing critical and contemporary issues within ECE.
 Highlight approaches (or philosophy) for fostering relational and/or respectful teaching-learning environments, inclusion of diverse Indigenous and non-dominant knowledge systems, and transformational approaches to enable educators to advance social justice within ECE.
o Teaching
 Describe your commitment to teaching, including impact, philosophy, and pedagogical practices. We recognize that teaching evaluations are not necessarily indicative of one’s teaching strengths and capacity. Therefore, candidates need not submit evaluations but ought to demonstrate teaching impact and effectiveness in academia and/or in non-traditional educational contexts.
o Research & scholarly and professional experience
 Candidates should include a summary of recent and on-going/future research activities and evidence of professional experience (e.g., connections and involvement with the local, national and/or international ECE community).
• Samples of Scholarly Writing: Provide two to three samples.
• References: Provide the names, addresses and phone/e-mail of three academic referees. Only referees of short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Note. Differing career patterns may be more common among members of designated groups, and those who have experienced leaves from the workplace. These differences will be taken into account in assessing the experiences and qualifications of members of these groups, or those who have experienced leaves from the workplace. Applicants are invited to address such differences in their cover letter.

Application Submission Details
Applications should be submitted electronically through the Brock Careers website. Inquiries should be directed to Ms. Sharon Spiece, Executive Assistant to the Dean of Education, sspiece@brocku.ca. Applications must be submitted in electronic format (a single PDF document is preferred) via the online application system. (Note: file maximum of 5MB per upload).

Please address cover letter to:
Chair of the Search Committee – Early Childhood Education
Faculty of Education
Brock University
1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way
St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1

Email: esearch@brocku.ca

The committee will begin reviewing nominations and applications on or after April 4, 2023.

Applications should be submitted electronically through the Brock Careers website at the following link:

https://brocku.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/brocku_careers/job/St-Catharines-Main-Campus/Assistant-Professor--Tenure-Track-Probationary-Appointment---Early-Childhood-Education_JR-1014344

Our Commitment
Brock University is actively committed to diversity and the principles of employment equity and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities, people with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as a member of a designated group as part of their application. LGBTQ is an umbrella category and shall be read to include two-spirited people. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups can fill out the Self-Identification questions included in the questionnaire at the time of application.

Brock University recently paused its COVID-19 vaccination and mask requirement although this decision is subject to change on short notice should the public health situation require it. If the University once again requires all employees working on campus and/or in-person with other employees, students, or members of the public to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination. Those who meet specific and limited medical or human rights accommodation criteria may be required to participate in rapid antigen testing and enhanced screening protocols.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, as outlined in the Employment Accommodation Policy https://brocku.ca/policies/wp-content/uploads/sites/94/Employment-Accommodation-Policy.pdf. Please advise: talent@brocku.ca to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

At this time, initial interviews will be conducted virtually.

Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca