Lecturer, American Sign Language

University of Vermont’s Department of Education in the College of Education & Social Services invites applications for a full-time faculty member at the rank of Lecturer in American Sign Language (ASL) Program to join our most dynamic and amazing faculty. The anticipated start date is August 2023.

We seek an outstanding instructor in the area of ASL education. Qualified candidates will have experience teaching ASL in postsecondary settings and will work with undergraduate students. We are particularly interested in individuals with a justice-centered approach to pedagogy and language assessment, strong teaching skills, technology savvy, and a record of professional and community services.

Required Qualifications:

· Earned Masters in ASL/Deaf-related field or equivalent;

· Native or near-native fluency in ASL;

· Evidence of effective ASL teaching;

· Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice; and

· Strong collegial, communication, and collaborative teamwork skills.

Desired Qualifications:

· Knowledge of TRUE+WAY ASL curriculum.

· Solid knowledge of technological tools for ASL pedagogy; and

· Have taught ASL literature, Deaf culture, and/or other deaf-related courses at the college level.
 

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will assume a range of responsibilities that include:

· Teaching ASL courses across novice, intermediate, and advanced levels 
  (Lecturers teach 8 courses per year, most are in-person, this is not a remote position);

· Advising ASL minors;

· Collaborating with Department of Education faculty and staff in departmental governance and service;

· Engaging in service activities at the college, university, regional, state, and national levels.

For more information about the department, see: https://www.uvm.edu/cess/doe/faculty_staff and the ASL program at https://www.uvm.edu/cess/doe/american-sign-language-asl-minor

The University

Established in 1791, the University of Vermont is considered a public-ivy and consistently ranked as one of the top public universities in the United States. Our academic programs combine faculty-student relationships most commonly found in a small liberal arts college with the resources of a land-grant research institution. UVM’s tradition of equity and social justice extends not only to faculty, staff, and students, but also is reflected in a commitment to environmentally sound and sustainable practices.
 

The College

The Department of Education is situated within the College of Education and Social Services. The College’s mission is to educate and prepare outstanding professionals in social work, education, and human services; engage in scholarship of high quality; and provide exemplary professional service to Vermont, the nation, and the world. We do this to contribute to a more humane and just society, free from oppression, that maximizes human potential and the quality of life for all individuals, families and communities.

The Department

The Department of Education is widely recognized for its rigorous academic research, high-quality student experience, innovative teaching practices, and collegial, inclusive work environment. We offer undergraduate and graduate programs in preK – 12 educator preparation, curriculum and instruction, special education, higher education and student affairs, educational leadership and policy studies, and interdisciplinary studies. In addition, we offer undergraduate minors in computer science education, cultural and linguistic diversity, special education, and coaching.

The Program

The ASL program is designed to help undergraduate students increase their ASL language and cultural competencies, and develop a deeper understanding of Deaf experiences through historical, social, and cultural lenses. The curriculum employs an interdisciplinary approach that offers opportunities for students to apply their theoretical knowledge to create an understanding that inspires innovative solutions for problems that perpetuate the marginalization of Deaf people. A combination of ASL competency and cultural knowledge makes students strong candidates for graduate studies or employment in education, communication sciences, and deaf-related, as well as more general fields where individuals are Deaf and hard of hearing are employed.
 

The Community

UVM is located in Burlington, Vermont, which is rated as one of the best small cities in the country. The greater Burlington area has an increasingly diverse population of about 125,000 and enjoys a panoramic setting on the shore of Lake Champlain, between the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. The surrounding area provides an environment rich in cultural, civic and recreational activities. Vermont has a deep history of social activism and political participation. It offers many opportunities for collaborative partnerships in community and state-wide human service and social change organizations in multiple fields of practice, including state agencies.

Application Process:

Review of applications will begin May 1, 2023, and continue until the position is filled.

For more detailed information about us, visit our web pages at the American Sign Language program https://www.uvm.edu/cess/doe/american-sign-language-asl-minor; the Department of Educationwww.uvm.edu/cess/doe ; the College of Education and Social Services’ website, www.uvm.edu/cess ; and the University of Vermont’s website, www.uvm.edu .

The University of Vermont is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and inclusive excellence of the academic community through their teaching, service and research, scholarship or creative arts. We are an educationally purposeful community seeking to prepare students to be accountable leaders in a diverse and changing world. Members of the University of Vermont community embrace and advance the values of Our Common Ground: Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Openness, Justice and Responsibility.

Anticipated starting date is August 21, 2023. Please apply online at www.uvmjobs.com. Please include the following items:
 

1. A cover letter describing of your interest in and qualifications for this position (both English and ASL versions);

2. A teaching philosophy statement (English version);

3. A current curriculum vitae (English version);

4. A statement on how you will contribute to advancing diversity and inclusive excellence at the University of Vermont by evidenced in your teaching and advising. English version); and

5. The names and email addresses of three references who can be contacted for letters of support before a candidate is advanced in the search process (English version).

For ASL videos, please submit the unlisted YouTube link to us at jspirone@uvm.edu. For more information about the position, please contact the search committee chair, Dr. John Pirone at jspirone@uvm.edu. For more information on the application process and other logistics, please contact Sonam Aaron Friedensohn, Program Specialist, aaron.friedensohn@uvm.edu. All inquiries are confidential.
 

The University of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category legally protected by federal or state law.