Director of Early Childhood Education Programs

The Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota 

The Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota invites applicants for a 9- month clinical faculty position responsible for the oversight of the Early Childhood Education Programs and the Shirley G. Moore (SGM) Laboratory School. Summer appointment is available as needed. Start date is negotiable but no later than August 30, 2015. Appointment will be at the Assistant or Associate Professor level with a multi-year contract. Priority given to candidates who demonstrate potential for advancing research-grounded practices in early childhood education, specifically for children growing up in a diverse society, as well as a commitment to preparing the next generation of educators.
The Institute of Child Development (ICD) has been a national focal point of child study since its inception in 1925. In addition to a top ranking PhD program and undergraduate B.A. and B.S. degrees in child psychology, ICD offers a B.A. in Early Childhood Education Foundations and a M.Ed. in Initial Licensure in Early Childhood Education.

The primary goals of the Shirley G. Moore Laboratory School are: (1) to demonstrate exemplary early childhood practices and provide a sound educational setting for preschool children, (2) to train teachers of young children at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, and (3) and to serve as an active center of child study and research. The Institute of Child Development building, which houses the SGM Lab School, is scheduled on the University of Minnesota’s building plans for a new building in the next five years. Reporting to the Director of the Institute Child Development, the Director of Early Childhood Education Programs is responsible for the vision and direction of Early Childhood Education Programs as well as the overall functioning, operation and accreditation of the SGM Laboratory School located within ICD. The Director will be responsible for aligning the Early Childhood Education Programs and SMG Laboratory School in order to train educators to work with young children from diverse backgrounds.
The Director will also be responsible for developing partnerships with programs in the community to enhance the ability of the Early Childhood Education Programs to educate students to work with children from different racial/ethnic and economic circumstances.
Additionally, this position will play a critical role in the visioning and planning of a new building for ICD which will include a new cutting-edge facility for the SGM Laboratory School. This will also include overseeing the process of transition to a new building.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Vision and Leadership (50%)
1. Formulate and disseminate the philosophy of the Early Childhood Education Programs, placing emphasis on the needs of a society with an increasingly diverse population of young children.
2. Lead a team of three direct reports to carry out the missions of the Early Childhood Education Programs and SGM Lab School.
3. Oversee a communication system among staff members through regular staff meetings, conferences, and informal conversations.
4. Participate in professional organizations in order to remain up to date in early childhood development practices and philosophy and represents the University in the various professional organizations.
5. Provide early childhood expertise during the visioning and design processes for a new preschool facilities and/or improvements to existing facilities.
6. Attend Institute of Child Development faculty meetings and retreats and assume committee responsibilities within the Institute, College and University.
7. Collaborate with ICD administration to develop an annual budget for the Early Childhood Education Programs and SGM Lab School, including use of available foundation funds.
8. Collaborate with ICD administration to maintain accurate employee records, oversee hiring of full- and part-time staff when necessary, and conduct annual performance reviews of direct reports.
9. Responsible for writing grants, proposals, and other financial documents as well as oversee organization and implementation of fund raising activities.
10. All other related duties as assigned.

Early Childhood Program Oversight (25%)
1. Ensure that the curriculum taught in Early Childhood Education Programs is based in relevant theory and research and meets State and accrediting requirements.
2. Oversee the development of new degree offerings for Early Childhood Education Programs, as needed.
3. Build and maintain strong collaborations with other programs within the College of Education and Human
Development and College leadership.
4. Oversee early childhood education course scheduling and assignment of instructors.
5. Teach Early Childhood Education Programs class(es) as needed.

SGM Laboratory School Oversight (25%)
1. Ensure that goals, procedures and processes comply with applicable University and College policies and meet applicable regulations and accreditation.
2. Monitor revenue and expenses of the SGM Lab School to ensure budgeted projections are met.
3. Engage with researchers to support the research mission of the SGM Lab School.
4. Ensure that the program, staff members, and the children’s progress are evaluated on an annual basis to include input
from parents and staff.
5. Oversee enrollment policies and supervise the processes for enrollment and waitlist of SGM Lab School children and
an orientation program for children and parents.
6. Oversee public relations and marketing of the SGM Lab School, including relationships with MnAEYC--SACA,
Department of Human Services, Minnesota Department of Education and community agencies.
7. Promote positive parent-school relationships.

Requirements:
Required qualifications for this position include an earned doctorate in early childhood education or related discipline; evidence of the ability to translate research to practice; experience or interest in culturally diverse, urban settings; and demonstrated potential for success in college teaching.

Preferred qualifications also include a minimum of one year teaching in a Birth-Grade 3 setting or classroom; evidence of continued experiences in Birth-Grade 3 settings through service, practice or research; and depth of knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas within the broader field of early childhood education: early childhood theories, research and practices; curriculum design and implementation; play experiences and early development; and culturally relevant pedagogy in Birth-Grade 3 classrooms and urban education.

To apply, please access the University of Minnesota Employment System at employment.umn.edu, requisition number 195363. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.