Adjunct Faculty - Elementary Education at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois

Job Description:

Job Summary/Basic Function

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples' lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Aurora University seeks talented adjunct faculty who are passionate about teaching and learning. Adjunct faculty are qualified part-time instructors offered teaching opportunities based on course demand and staffing.

Aurora University is seeking adjunct faculty members for a partnership program with McHenry County College, providing a degree certification program for individuals seeking licensure in elementary education. Faculty will deliver instruction in a variety of academic areas, aligned with the needs of the program. We will require adjunct faculty starting in the fall of 2023.

Classes are offered during evenings over an eight-week period. Each course meets once per week for 4.5 hours. The program will deliver class experiences during the fall, spring, and summer terms. During the first year of the program, it will meet on the McHenry County College campus in Crystal Lake.

Teaching Responsibilities

• Create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable participating and learning.


• Prepare materials for instructional delivery.


• Provide meaningful formative and summative feedback to students.


• Deliver course content and experiences as outlined in the course syllabus.


• Set up assessments based on departmental regulations and requirements.


• Prepare students for assessments and provide helpful formative and summative performance feedback.


• Provide needed support to students who require it and schedule consultation times where questions and concerns can be voiced.


• Answer students' questions and provide feedback on assignments or essay drafts.


• Respond promptly to email messages from students and AU staff.


• Record attendance.


• Submit required key program assessments via the designed learning platform.


• Keep up-to-date with advancements in the field and integrate new knowledge into lessons.

Teaching Areas Include

• Foundations of education


• Learning theories


• Reading methods: K-3 (addressing science of reading concepts)


• Reading methods: 4-6 (addressing science of reading concepts)


• Children's literature


• Special education


• Science methods


• Social studies methods


• ESL/ELL methods and materials


• Math methods


• Fine arts methods


• Physical education methods


• Student teaching supervisors (daytime)

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in education


• Five years of teaching experience in K-12 education


• Current licensure in education

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree in education


• Five years experience in K-8 education


• Previous teaching experience in higher education


• National Board Certified Teacher


• Participation in a state or national professional organization

Application Materials

All applicants will be required to submit the following:

• Cover letter speaking to your qualifications for this position in the specific academic area listed above


• CV/resume


• Academic transcripts


• Evidence of teaching endorsements/certification/licensure


• Point of contact for two professional recommendations

Please email resume or curriculum vitae, transcripts, evidence of licensure or certification if required for the position, and cover letter stating the specific areas you are interested in teaching to:

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.