Emergency Lecturer in Early Childhood

Department :

Urban Education Salary :

$54,000

Description :

The Department of Urban Education at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) invites applications for a non-tenure track Emergency Lecturer position in Early Childhood Education starting in Fall 2026. The successful candidate will join a department committed to preparing highly effective educators who support the learning and development of young children and their families. We seek applicants who are dedicated to preparing future educators through evidence-based teaching, meaningful clinical experiences, and strong partnerships with schools and communities. The successful candidate will contribute to the preparation of teacher candidates at the undergraduate and graduate levels and support the development of future educators through both classroom instruction and clinical coaching. Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in Early Childhood Education; serving as a clinical coach for teacher candidates during field-based and clinical experiences; contributing to program development and continuous improvement efforts; and participating in service activities that support the department, college, university, and profession. Candidates must hold a master's degree or higher from an accredited institution in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field, such as Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education, Child Development, Human Development and Family Studies, Educational Leadership, or a related discipline. Candidates must also possess at least 18 graduate semester hours in Early Childhood Education. Doctoral candidates who are ABD and nearing completion are encouraged to apply. The standard teaching load for this position is 5 courses per semester during the regular academic year, and may occur during day or evening hours across UHD instructional locations. As a clinical coach, the successful candidate will conduct field observations, provide feedback and mentoring, evaluate candidate performance, and collaborate with school-based mentors and university faculty to support candidate success. The ideal candidate demonstrates excellence in teaching, strong knowledge of child development and early learning, effective use of instructional technology, proficiency in teaching on various modalities (in-person, hybrid, online/virtual), and a commitment to working collaboratively with colleagues, school partners, and community stakeholders. Familiarity with Texas educator certification requirements and relevant certification examinations is preferred. UHD serves a student population that includes first-generation, transfer, traditional, and non-traditional students. Required Qualifications Earned master's degree or higher from an accredited institution in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field Minimum of 18 graduate-level semester hours in Early Childhood Education Minimum of three (3) years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-Grade 3 settings, preferably in public schools Demonstrated knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate practices, curriculum design, assessment, and instructional strategies for young learners Experience mentoring, supervising, coaching, or supporting teacher candidates, novice teachers, or practicing educators Demonstrated ability to teach and support learners in a variety of educational settings Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills Preferred Qualifications Earned Ph.D. or Ed.

D. in Early Childhood Education or related field. (ABD candidates must complete their work by July 31, 2026) Early Childhood state teaching certification and familiarity with Texas educator certification requirements and examination frameworks Experience serving as a cooperating teacher, mentor teacher, instructional coach, clinical teacher supervisor, or university field supervisor Experience integrating field-based and clinical experiences into educator preparation programs Prior experience teaching in higher education Experience teaching and developing courses across multiple instructional modalities, including online and hybrid formats. Proficiency in instructional technology and learning management systems Experience designing and delivering professional development for educators Experience building partnerships with schools, districts, and community organizations that support young children and families Applications should be submitted through the University of Houston-Downtown employment portal. For inquiries, contact the search committee chairs: Dr. Sarah Albrecht ( albrechts@uhd.edu ) Dr. Mary Beth Balderas ( balderasm@uhd.edu ) For more information about our department, visit: www.uhd.edu/urbaned All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check. The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.