Sessional Instructor - Curriculum and Pedagogy in Elementary School Music

Sessional Instructor - Curriculum and Pedagogy in Elementary School Music

Competition: 1977

Department: Faculty Of Education - Aboriginal Teacher Education Program

Posted date: January 31, 2025

Closing date: April 30, 2025

Position Type: Full Time - Operating Funded

Description: This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA). While this position welcomes applications from individuals external to the university, current Academic Teaching Staff are first notified of available positions and will receive first consideration in accordance with the terms of the Academic Teaching Staff Agreement before considering external candidates. Please login to verify your internal candidate status. Salary will be commensurate with experience in accordance with the Academic Teaching Staff (ATS) agreement.

Location: This is a remote work from home position.

Working at the University of Alberta: The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community. The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide. Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just.

Working for the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program: The Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP) is an online and on-campus Bachelor of Education program foregrounding Indigenous values and methods of teaching, learning, and knowing. The program works towards developing a greater understanding of Indigenous culture and perspectives on teaching and learning, primarily in schools where Indigenous children are learning. Our goal is to improve the educational experiences of Indigenous children by increasing the number of Indigenous teachers in communities all over Alberta.

Position: The Faculty of Education is looking for a sessional instructor to teach EDEL 325: Curriculum and Pedagogy in Elementary School Music. This position is for the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program and will run online on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (5:30pm to 8:30pm) in summer 2025 (July 7 - August 13).

Duties:

1. Delivery of 36 hours of instruction over the 6-week summer term, plus class planning, eClass management, and marking.
2. Adherence to all University of Alberta and Faculty of Education policies and procedures, including timely submission of course outline and final grades.
3. Collaboration and communication with ATEP’s student support team, who walk alongside students throughout their educational journeys, before, during, and after course delivery.
4. Uplifting of ATEP’s guiding values in class planning and delivery and in interactions and relationship-building with ATEP’s students and staff.

Qualifications:

1. Master's Degree or Higher in music education, curriculum and instruction, or a related field (e.g., Indigenous education or pedagogy).
2. Experience in Teaching Music at the elementary or primary school level, ideally in a classroom setting with diverse student populations, including Indigenous students.
3. Experience working with Indigenous communities and knowledge of Indigenous pedagogical practices and values.
4. Familiarity with Indigenous languages, cultures, and music traditions.
5. Experience designing and implementing curricula that integrate Indigenous perspectives or culturally relevant pedagogy.
6. In-depth knowledge of culturally responsive teaching methods, especially in the context of Indigenous students.
7. An understanding of the challenges and barriers Indigenous students face in education and the ability to create inclusive, affirming learning environments.
8. Familiarity with Indigenous worldviews and how these can be integrated into teaching music and broader curriculum development.
9. Knowledge of the historical context and contemporary issues surrounding Indigenous education.
10. Active involvement in Indigenous communities.
11. Experience in teaching or mentoring Indigenous pre-service teachers or community members would be valuable.
12. Strong ability to assess student progress and adapt teaching methods to meet the cultural and diverse needs of all students.
13. Engagement in ongoing professional development related to both music education and Indigenous pedagogy.
14. Participation in research projects or scholarly work related to Indigenous education, music education, or both would be advantageous.
15. Ability to foster positive relationships with Indigenous students and community members.
16. Strong communication and collaboration skills.

The ideal qualifications for teaching a course like EDEL 325 Curriculum and Pedagogy in Elementary School Music for Indigenous Pre-service Teachers blend expertise in music education, an understanding of Indigenous culture and pedagogical practices, and experience working with Indigenous students. The goal is to prepare future teachers to create inclusive, culturally relevant music education experiences for elementary students, with a particular focus on Indigenous ways of knowing and learning.

Application Instructions: Those qualified and interested are encouraged to apply online with the following:

1. CV
2. Cover letter highlighting your experience working with Indigenous students, pedagogies, and worldviews.

We encourage interested applicants to apply early as resumes will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of inclusivity and respect.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

Note: This opportunity will be available until midnight April 30, 2025, Edmonton, Alberta local time.