Part-Time Faculty - Teacher Education, Academic Year 2026

Position: Part-Time Faculty - Teacher Education, Academic Year 2026 - 2027
Job Description

The University of Southern Maine (USM) seeks qualified candidates to serve as part-time faculty responsible for teaching a section of the program's internship course. Each semester, part-time faculty oversee a cohort of 8 interns pursuing general education teaching licenses through USM's highly regarded, CAEP accredited yearlong teacher preparation program. Each cohort includes a mix of undergraduate- and graduate-level interns pursuing a similar license (K-6 or secondary) largely within the same school district or neighboring school districts.

Part-time faculty are matched with cohorts based on their professional history and preference. They act as the liaison between interns, mentor teachers, and university faculty teaching instructional methods courses. For each intern, the part-time faculty facilitates goal-setting, conducts a minimum of three formal classroom observations, and completes both mid- and end-of-placement evaluations in collaboration with the intern's mentor teacher. The part-time faculty also provides an end-of-semester evaluation for each intern using a rubric within the program's data collection system.

They arrange all meetings and observations based on their schedule. Finally, the part-time instructor teaches a seminar that meets regularly to support interns with developing as professionals, completing internship materials, and successfully meeting internship requirements.

As a part-time faculty member responsible for teaching internship courses at USM, you will:

• Oversee a cohort of 8 teaching interns per semester
• Teach a 3-credit seminar course to support the interns in your cohort with completing internship tasks linked to professional growth and fulfillment of licensing requirements
• Serve as the liaison between the interns and their mentor-teachers in the classroom
• Conduct goal-setting and mid- and end-of-placement evaluations with each intern and mentor-teacher
• Complete a minimum of three formal classroom observations per semester per intern
• Provide a culminating evaluation for each intern using a rubric within the program's data collection system

The University of Southern Maine's Teacher Education Program prepares students who are passionate about education and the curriculum they will teach. Our programs have a strong partnership with schools within Southern Maine, allowing students to gain experience in a mixture of urban, suburban, and rural school settings.

Part-time faculty members are paid on a credit hour basis based on prior teaching experience, as determined by the Part-Time Faculty Association of Maine (PATFA), an affiliate of the national American Federation of Teachers (AFT) union. To view the Credit Hour Rates for AY 2026, please refer to the PATFA Contract. Eligible part-time faculty members may elect certain benefits provided by the University of Maine System.

In addition, The Center for Academic Innovation provides learning design consulting and faculty development opportunities to help faculty to create engaging programs, courses and lesson plans grounded in evidence-based best practices for every modality.

The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond.

USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society. To learn more about USM, visit About Our University.

The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates varied perspectives, enhancing teaching, learning, personal growth, and overall institutional achievement. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence and the enrichment of our community.

We are dedicated to our Service Promise, Student Focused Every Day and seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.

Required Qualifications:

• Valid teaching certificate and/or administrator's license
• At least 5 years of experience working full time in K-12 schools
• Flexible schedule for school visits to meet with interns and mentors and conduct in-person classroom observations
• Ability to drive to schools during the school day for supervisory duties
• Comfort with digital tools for documenting, sharing, and evaluating
• Team player with a positive, collaborative, and supportive disposition
• Two recommendations from…