Director, Aboriginal Teacher Education Program

Competition 2468

This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Administrative and Professional Officer Agreement, this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary range of $72,625 to $121,041.

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

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. Learn more.

Working for the Faculty of Education

As part of the University of Alberta’s College of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Faculty of Education is home to award-winning teachers, internationally recognized researchers, educational innovators, and community leaders. When you join the Faculty of Education, you are joining one of the world’s top faculties of education, consistently ranked among the top four faculties of education in Canada and top 100 in the world. At heart, we are a supportive, welcoming academic community of highly engaged, socially conscious, diverse scholars, students, and staff. Our work impacts K-12 students, their families, communities, and partners in education and other professions. We advance the careers of future researchers, teachers, professionals, and policymakers as active and contributing citizens.

The Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP) is a Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.Ed.) degree program within the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. The program works toward developing a greater understanding of Aboriginal culture and perspectives on teaching and learning, in all schools, but primarily in schools where Aboriginal children are learning.

Position

The Director is responsible for managing and providing leadership to all aspects of ATEP in the Faculty Education. ATEP, launched in 2002, aims to increase the representation of Aboriginal teachers and enhance the educational experiences of Aboriginal students in Alberta. Initially a community-based, collaborative program focused on elementary education, ATEP expanded in 2017 to include a Secondary Education specialization and in 2021 introduced a direct-entry four-year elementary program. The program has continued to grow, offering online cohorts for students from various communities and part-time, evening cohorts for working paraprofessionals. Rooted in Cree values such as wâhkôhtowin (kinship), mâmahwohkamâtowin (cooperative work), and manâtisiwin (respect), and sakihtowin (love), ATEP fosters a community-centered, culturally inclusive approach to teaching. Since Fall 2021, new first-year cohorts have been able to choose from both online and in-person study options, available full-time or part-time, reflecting the program’s ongoing commitment to meeting the diverse needs of students preparing for careers in education.

Duties

The Director reports to and works closely with the Associate Dean, Indigenous Teacher Education, and liaises with key stakeholders in the Faculty of Education to support the operational, pedagogical, and curricular aspects of the program, including program planning, delivery, student recruitment, supervision of staff, budget preparation and reporting, and committee engagement.

Key to this position is the building and maintenance of relationships with Indigenous communities (rural and urban) and partnering community colleges to ensure the cultural relevance of the program and content within each community, as well as to attract qualified students and ensure the smooth operations of ATEP.

Minimum Qualifications

This position is open to Indigenous applicants only. Applicants must be Indigenous persons with lived experience as both an Indigenous individual and an educator. Self-identification as Indigenous may be subject to confirmation by the university.

• A Master’s degree in education. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience in a supervisory, managerial, or leadership capacity.
• Active involvement in Indigenous communities and initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability and potential for scholarly excellence in Indigenous Education, with a focus on innovative knowledge creation, and community engagement.
• Commitment to service and extracurricular involvement in community or professional activities related to Indigenous education and development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference will be given to candidates with experience teaching at the elementary and/or secondary school levels.
• Experience working in collaborative, cross-institutional environments or partnerships with Indigenous communities and educational organizations.