Apply now Job no:517528
Work type:Post Doc (Amherst Only)
Location:UMass Amherst
Department: Teacher Ed/Curriculum Studies
Union: Post Doc
Categories:College of Education, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Research

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Description

The Western Massachusetts Bilingual Hub supports research-based programs and practices that enhance bilingualism and multiculturalism for equity and social justice, focusing on dual language programs in the Western Massachusetts area. Bilingualism and multiculturalism can benefit students in various ways, including cognitive development, social and emotional growth, educational opportunities, and employment prospects. These traits are considered valuable assets for all.

The postdoctoral research associate will be responsible for providing direct support to the Dual Language Education (DLE) Programs of the Holyoke Public Schools, Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, Springfield Public Schools, and Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership. The successful candidate will work with partnering school districts to support each district, their teachers, and the multilingual learning community; as well as, aid the Western Massachusetts Bilingual hub with teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development by:

• Program evaluation and Data Collection/Analysis of English learners, Dual Language, and Biliteracy programs; 
• Commit to conducting pre-and post-surveys to gauge candidate learning and progress, and share the results with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education during monthly check-ins. 
• Support with grant writing with federal and state funding agencies
• Supporting middle school and high school expansion of DLE;
• Design new training programs and offer teacher training workshops for the entire staff about DLE at the school level 
• Perform training and educational needs assessments for individual classrooms appropriate to the BDL program's objectives.
• Provide independent technical advice, consultation, and individualized assistance to educators and other interdisciplinary professionals within the area of professional specialty utilizing current best practices.
• Assess local and state educational resources within the professional expertise area and design and develop special programs for resource development as appropriate.

The successful candidate will also mentor new teachers and offer training for teachers new to Dual Language Education. They will also manage group activities, present work at conferences, and help with manuscript and proposal preparation. Post-Doctoral Fellows will be expected to contribute in the areas of teaching, research, and service/professional development. The successful candidate will assist with various research projects; assist with grant writing and development; collaborate as necessary with various research teams; contribute to the development of new research projects; contribute to research papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals; assist with and present at research conferences; participate in service opportunities; and engage in the mission, goals, and strategic development of the college.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Doctoral degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis on Bilingual and Dual Language Education, TESL or a related field prior to the beginning of their assignment; ABD candidates are also considered.
• The candidate must be bilingual in English and Spanish.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Proven track record of involvement in K-12 Education, bilingual and dual language teaching, teacher education, and professional development.
• Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities that have historically characterized the educational experience in the U.S. of students and educators from the Caribbean and other Latin American countries and territories where Spanish and its varieties are most commonly spoken.

Additional Information

• Frequent travel required to regional school districts in the Western Massachusetts area.
• This position is grant-funded with a one-year initial appointment. Renewal for one additional year subject to satisfactory performance. The position is subject to further renewal for up to 6 years, contingent on funding and university needs.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm with occasional conference meetings on Saturdays.

Salary Information

• Commensurate with experience.

Application Instructions

Along with the application, please submit a resume/CV, cover letter, Diversity Statement (see below) and contact information for three (3) professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The College of Education is committed to an atmosphere of diversity and inclusion between faculty, staff, and students alike. To advance the College’s mission of furthering social justice, this position will require a Diversity Statement to be included with each candidate’s application materials. The Diversity Statement is intended to clarify how a candidate will support a culture of equality and fairness at all levels of the organization and may highlight prior advocacy efforts or intended contributions to the College of Education. Questions about this can be directed to educhr@educ.umass.edu .

Specific questions about the position can be emailed to Dr. Marialuisa Di Stefano at marialuisadi@umass.edu .

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.