Professor of Practice: First-Year Writing Lead

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; Full time

Job description

Department: EnglishSalary:Commensurate with experience

Description:

The Department of English at the University of Houston invitesapplications for several 9 month, full-time, non-tenure track,Professors of Practice to teach Freshman Composition I and FreshmanComposition II beginning Fall 2026.

With over forty faculty, the University of Houston’s EnglishDepartment contributes substantially to one of the nation’s mostdiverse in public research institutions. With more than 48,000students located in the fourth-largest city in the United States,the University of Houston is a major force in higher education,driving innovation, research, and workforce development across theregion.

The English Department has a deep commitment to writing and theteaching of writing, starting at the first-year level. In additionto its programs in Literature and in Creative Writing, theDepartment offers a doctoral concentration in Rhetoric,Composition, and Pedagogy. In particular, the Department isinterested in how the field of Rhetoric and Composition intersectswith such areas as cultural, digital, and literacy studies, and howthese areas contribute to the theory and practice of writing andwriting instruction. The concentration aspires to build on thedynamic relationship that exists between the University and itsmulticultural setting.

These Teaching Professor of Practice positions grow out of ourcommitment to putting recent composition theory into practice,mainly in our two-course sequence of first-year writing (ENGL 1301and 1302). We are looking to hire a total of four (4) positions,each with the possibility for yearly renewal depending on fundingand satisfactory job performance.

The positions are as follows:

Three (3) positions, each of which will:
• Teach a 4-4 load of ENGL 1301 and/or 1302 sections, primarilythrough in-person or hybrid instructional modes, and sometimesasynchronously online
• Supervise the teaching of 7-9 Graduate Teaching Fellows (GTFs),most of whom also teach ENGL 1301 and/or 1302. Supervision willinclude reviewing syllabi of the GTFs, meeting periodically withthe GTFs, observing the GTFs’ teaching, giving feedback on theGTFs’ own feedback to undergraduate students, and fielding teachingquestions from the GTFs, among other needs as they arise.
• Rotate into serving on the English Department’s FYWCommittee

One (1) position with the following responsibilities:
• Teach a 4-4 load of ENGL 1301 and/or 1302 sections, primarilythrough in-person or hybrid instructional modes, and sometimesasynchronously online
• Assist the First Year Writing Program with planning and leadingan annual New TA Orientation, Returning TF Orientation, and JanuaryTeaching Conference; assessing the FYW program; updatingpedagogical resources; and liaising with on-campus groups alsoinvolved in FYW
• Rotate into serving on the English Department’s FYWCommittee

In their cover letter, applicants should indicate which of thesepositions they are more interested in. This will be among thepoints discussed at the interview stage.

We expect these instructors to become an integral part of a team ofscholar-teachers who refine and sustain a collective commitment totheoretically aware teaching at the first-year level. Also, theseinstructors may choose to be considered for additional paidteaching in summers or minimesters, pending availability.

At the University of Houston, ENGL 1301: First Year Writing Ifocuses on analytical and expository writing, and ENGL 1302: FirstYear Writing II focuses on research-based persuasive writing. Thesecourses take a rhetorical perspective on textual meaning making andconnect the English Department to the University’s entireundergraduate student population.

Minimum Qualifications
Individuals who have received their PhD or MFA degrees in Englishor a closely related field are invited to apply ·Evidence of innovation in teaching first-year writing· Graduate coursework, research, or other exposureto scholarship in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

Preferred Qualifications
PhD in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies ·2+ years of experience teaching first-year writing· Experience mentoring or otherwise assistinginstructors of first-year writing classes ·Ongoing activity in relevant professional organizations and/orrelevant university service · Experience withonline and hybrid teaching at the college level

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Through the University of Houston’s employment website, thecandidate should submit a cover letter addressed to the EnglishDepartment’s Search Committee and speaking to the candidate’steaching experience, research interests in writing pedagogy, andpotential contributions to the Department. Additionally, thecandidate should submit a curriculum vitae; transcripts of theirgraduate degree(s); a list of three references; one or moreteaching evaluations; and sample course syllabi. More successfulapplicants will combine a record of teaching and academicexcellence with evidence of their ability to contribute to theintellectual community of the Department.

Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment andwill be requested upon selection of the final candidate.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are securitysensitive and will require a criminal history check. Individualsconducting research in critical infrastructure areas (i.e.,communication infrastructure systems, cybersecurity systems,electric grid, hazardous waste treatment systems, and/or watertreatment facilities) are subject to regular review to ensure thesecurity and integrity of the research is maintained.

The University of Houston System and its universities are EqualOpportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.