Assistant Professor of Teaching in Indigenous Teacher Ed. in Human Development, Learning & Culture

University of British Columbia

Situated on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people in Vancouver, Canada, the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS) in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Teaching in Indigenous Teacher Education in Human Development, Learning and Culture (HDLC). This appointment is expected to begin on July, 1, 2025, or as mutually agreed upon by the University and the successful candidate. In accordance with UBC’s equity plan, and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants who identify as Indigenous. Indigenous applicants are requested to self-identify in their application.

Promoting Indigenous knowledges and Indigenous engagement are signature strengths of the UBC Faculty of Education and critical components of our strategic plan. Indigenous teacher education is advanced through NITEP – the Faculty of Education’s Indigenous Teacher Education Program – which is a five-year concurrent Bachelor of Education, as well as a 11-month Teacher Education Program. We recognize that educational leadership, knowledge creativity and mobilization, and mentoring capacity in Indigenous education extends beyond schools to consider both (1) Indigeneity at the intersections of social, ecological, cultural/linguistic, and political justice at local, national, and international levels, and (2) reimagining and rebuilding teaching practices through decolonization at each of these levels.

The successful candidate for this position must hold a PhD or EdD in Developmental, Educational, or Cultural Psychology, or the Learning Sciences, with demonstrated experience weaving Indigenous and decolonizing knowledges, histories, and pedagogies into teaching and learning in teacher education. The successful applicant must contribute to on-going commitments to and relationships with Indigenous communities and school districts, along with liaising with Indigenous organizations, particularly as they concern teacher education delivery in rural, urban, and First Nations communities. Teaching and knowledge in human development and learning, especially social and emotional learning and/or mental health, is a requirement. Experience in K-12 school systems is a significant asset, as well as advancing Indigenous education community-based aspirations through lived experience with Indigenous communities, cultures, and traditions.

The successful candidate will be expected to: (1) teach in Indigenous community-based settings drawing on Indigenous knowledges, perspectives, and pedagogies and approaches to decolonization; (2) utilize innovative, inclusive, and accessible teaching methods for community-based and on-campus delivery of teacher education; (3) engage in educational leadership that advances Indigenous teacher education and community-based priorities within NITEP and the Faculty’s Teacher Education Program; (4) attend to educational policies and practices of decolonization, reconciliation, and the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in programmatic and curricular design; (5) support academic, cultural, linguistic, and leadership needs of Indigenous students, educators, and communities; and (6) have knowledge of the BC and Canadian Indigenous education landscape. Culturally-grounded educators with a promising or an established record of educational leadership accomplishments in Indigenous teacher education with a focus on community-based and/or innovative approaches to Indigenous teacher education and decolonization are encouraged to apply.

The annual teaching load for this position is 18 credits (equivalent to six courses), which may include teaching at the undergraduate, masters, and/or doctoral levels, and significant educational leadership responsibilities as assigned by the Head, such as curriculum development, evaluation, innovation, course/program coordination, and other leadership roles.

This is a tenure-track position in the Educational Leadership Stream. The successful candidate will be reviewed for reappointment, promotion, and tenure in subsequent years in accordance with the Collective Agreement. For information on the review process and criteria for promotion in this stream, please visit this link. This position is subject to final budgetary approval. The expected pay range for this position is $140,000 - $160,000 per annum. Starting salary is determined both by the candidate’s qualifications and experience and by their placement on the career progress scale within the Faculty of Education.

ECPS, the Faculty of Education and UBC are dedicated to the goal of building a diverse and inclusive academic community. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a commitment to and expertise in decolonizing, reconciliation, anti-racist, and social justice approaches to educational leadership, teaching, and service, and have a strong commitment to fostering inclusivity and teaching effectively in a welcoming environment. For more information about the Faculty of Education’s commitments and work related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization, please visit this link.

UBC is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. The UBC Faculty of Education is one of the leading Faculties of its kind in the world, tied first in Canadian rankings and ranked 10th globally. Our work advances educational research and understanding of teaching and learning in a way that affirms diversity, equity, and innovation, and takes part in international collaboration in an interdependent globe. We provide a comprehensive set of programmatic offerings at the baccalaureate, magisterial, and doctoral levels. As a global leader in Indigenous Education, we offer graduate Indigenous specializations, an Indigenous Teacher Education Program, and has new graduate programs and concentrations in Indigenous Education. We have two Canada Research Chairs whose research focuses in Indigeneity and thirteen Indigenous tenure stream faculty. For more information on the Faculty of Education, please visit this website.

Interested candidates are invited to submit an application package that includes:

i. a cover letter with a description of a program of educational leadership and potential contributions to the area through community-based and/or innovative approaches and a listing of the undergraduate and graduate courses in ECPS and NITEP you can or would like to teach and why (please also indicate whether or not you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident);
ii. curriculum vitae;
iii. Evidence of teaching effectiveness and excellence (including course outlines and student evaluations, if available);
iv. a statement of educational leadership philosophy and achievements/interests;
v. an equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID) statement that describes and documents your contributions to EDID through your teaching, educational leadership, service, and community engagement, addressing the following three areas: (1) understanding of and knowledge about EDID, (2) track record in advancing EDID, and (3) future plans for EDID; and
vi. names and contact information for three references, one of which should be from an Indigenous leader, community, or organization. Letters of reference will only be requested for candidates who are advancing to the next stage in the search process.

Complete applications must be provided in the format of one bookmarked PDF file addressed to Dr. Jennifer Shapka, Department Head and Professor, ECPS, and sent electronically to Kay Mun (Assistant to Head) at kay.mun@ubc.ca. Following the submission of the application, the applicant will receive an Equity Survey link via email. Completion of the Equity Survey is required as part of the application process. Accommodations are available on request for all applicants with disabilities at all stages of the search process. To confidentially request accommodations, please contact educ.hr@ubc.ca.

While the search remains open until the position is filled, interested applicants are encouraged to submit their complete application package by February 14, 2025. Questions regarding the position and the application deadline should be directed to Dr. Jennifer Shapka, Department Head, at jennifer.shapka@ubc.ca.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the British Columbia Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.