Job Duties
Job Description
Join a legacy of excellence at Norfolk State University. The School of Education is seeking a dynamic faculty member committed to preparing the next generation of teachers and educational leaders. The Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education invites applicants for a 9-month tenure track assistant professor of elementary education. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting program excellence and accreditation compliance for both SACSCOC and CAEP, while preparing the next generation of educators and leaders for elementary classrooms across the Commonwealth and beyond. This position requires a candidate with demonstrated expertise in supervising educators and student teachers, strong instructional skills, and the ability to integrate theory, practice, and leadership within a developmental framework of teacher education. A review of applications will begin on January 20, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. This position opened on December 18, 2025 and there is a five consecutive workdays minimum posting requirement.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to develop and sustain a focused research and scholarly agenda that contributes to the advancement of the College, University, and the broader field of education. Engage in research, writing, grant activity, and professional presentations that reflect intellectual rigor, align with program goals, and inform teaching and practice in Elementary Education and Educational Leadership, teach and develop courses in the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd.) and Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) programs in Elementary Education — Undergraduate, in face-to-face and Graduate in an online format, provide proactive student academic advising, mentoring and clinical supervision, contribute to program accreditation, assessment, and continuous improvement activities aligned with CAEP and SACSCOC requirements, build and sustain professional networks, engage in departmental and university service, and model and promote a personal and professional ethical character that reflects integrity and upholds the mission, policies, and core values of the School of Education and university.
Norfolk State University
Norfolk State University is a comprehensive urban public, doctoral granting institution committed to transforming students’ lives through exemplary teaching, research and service. The University is a top ranked and largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Historically Black College and University (HBCU) with nationally recognized STEM programs and enrolls 6,000 students in over thirty undergraduate and nineteen on-line & in-person graduate programs. Norfolk State University garners over $20M in annual grant acquisitions, has as an NCAA Division I athletic program with fifteen sports that boasts three regular season MEAC conference championships in men’s basketball, and a coveted marching band as winners of the 2024 Circle City Classic Battle of the Bands.
About the City of Norfolk
Norfolk is one of seven cities that make up the Hampton Roads Region. With a population of about two million, Hampton Roads is the 33rd largest Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in the nation, the 8th largest metro area in the Southeast, and the 2nd largest between Atlanta and Washington, DC. It is home to the world's largest naval base, the Port of Virginia, one of the world's leading maritime gateways, and NATO’s only North American headquarters (NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation). By virtue of its strategic location, it is a cosmopolitan area with many minority groups from every corner of the world. Norfolk has big city amenities and attractions of arts and culture, as well as cuisines of the Eastern Seaboard and is a home port for Carnival Cruise Lines year-round with other cruise lines using Norfolk as a port-of-call. In addition, the region boasts accessible parks, riverfronts, beaches, and numerous festivals, all favorable for weekend getaways.
EEO STATEMENT
NSU is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants, without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, race, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status. NSU encourages and invites minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Possess a terminal degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Elementary Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or closely related field, from an accredited or certified university.
2. Active Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) licensure in Elementary Education (PreK–6) and Administration & Supervision (PK–12), or eligibility for such licensure upon hire.
3. Documented experience supervising and mentoring educators or student teachers in clinical, field-based, or school-based settings.
4. Demonstrated effectiveness in undergraduate and graduate level teaching, including the design and delivery of standards-aligned, evidence-based instruction.
5. Demonstrated evidence of established or developing research agenda that informs teaching and practice in the Elementary Education field.
6. Experience serving in a public or private facility as a building-level or district administrator, instructional coach, or professional development specialist.
7. Experience supporting CAEP accreditation or state-level program approval processes.
Additional Considerations
8. Exhibit excellent communication, organization, collaboration and leadership skills.
9. Demonstrated evidence of inclusive teaching at the that builds engaging, relevant, and authentic learning experiences for students.
10. Evidence of scholarly or practitioner-based contributions that enhance teacher preparation and educational leadership.
11. Evidence of strong and constructive partnerships with school divisions, emphasizing equity and excellence in educator preparation.
12. Active engagement with professional associations (e.g., AACTE, ASCD, VASCD, or NAPDS).
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
How to Apply
Candidates should submit:
1. State of Virginia application.
2. A cover letter of interest outlining research agenda and teaching interests.
3. Current Curriculum Vitae.
4. Transcripts of highest degree conferred (unofficial transcripts are accepted; however, official transcripts are required of finalists).
5. Three letters of reference.
Some requirements must be saved into one file and attached as other to the state application.
Application and/or résumé for this position must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia's Job Board/Recruitment Management System (RMS). Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. Applicants who possess an Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Form) as issued under the Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM) Policy 1.30 Layoff (Commonwealth of Virginia Employees Only), must attach these forms when submitting their state application and/or résumé. The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from either the electronic application and/or resumé. RMS provides a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your RMS account to check the status of your application for this position. Norfolk State University conducts background checks on all candidates identified as a finalist for employment consideration. The type of background check(s) performed are dependent upon the type of position for which you have been identified as a finalist and may include: criminal history, including sexual offender registry checks, reference checks, degree validation, DMV (driving) records, license verification, and credit report reviews. The results of background checks are made available to university employing officials. As a finalist, you will be required to sign an Authorization to Release form. Norfolk State University utilizes Form I-9 and E-verify in the verification of eligibility for employment. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.
Contact Information
Name: Norfolk State University
Phone: 757-823-8160
Email: Emailed material not accepted
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter.