Sessional - Faculty (ECED 3400)

DUTIES

The Early Childhood Education Program in the School of Education (Faculty of Education and Social Work) at Thompson Rivers University is seeking sessional faculty members who will teach two sections of ECED 3400 (Infant and Toddler Field Experience [4 credits]) in the Winter 2027 semester.

ECED 3400 (Infant and Toddler Field Experience):

This field experience is designed to provide opportunities for planned and spontaneous programming and to foster respectful interactions with infants and toddlers. Students reflect on previous experiences, assimilate new knowledge, theory and research, and apply it to their practice with infants and toddlers. During this field placement, students demonstrate advanced professional competencies, knowledge and reflective skills, and formulate an action-based research question related to the sensorial and/or social environment which supports their program planning. Students use pedagogical narrations to disseminate research outcomes with children, families, educators, and class members.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• A master’s degree in ECE or relevant field is required. For example, a relevant field could include Education, Childhood Studies, Child and Youth Care, or Curriculum Studies.
• Certificate to practice in Infant Toddler Education and/or experience working with infants and toddlers; Experience in curriculum making with infants and toddlers.
• Evidence of a minimum of three years of knowledge and experience working with young children and families in a licensed early years program or primary classroom (birth to 8 years old).
• Demonstrated knowledge of early years curriculum including pedagogical narrations and working with current early learning frameworks to develop innovative programs for young children.
• Demonstrated expertise in the course topic areas.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated experience in integrating Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods (TRC CA 63)
• Proven skills in building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect (TRC CA 62)
• Teaching excellence, including developing culturally appropriate curricula (TRC CA 10)
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, decolonization, anti-racism and social justice in education.
• A drivers’ license and/or the ability to arrange for transportation to visit up to 8 students once weekly at their various practica locations is required. The sites are within the Kamloops-Thompson area but may not be all in Kamloops or may not all be accessible by public transportation. Mileage rates are updated by TRU. The Faculty of Education and Social Work reimburses mileage only at the rate found on the TRU website.

Preferred:

• Three years of successful teaching experience in post-secondary institutions.
• Active participation in ongoing research and / or community activities that contribute to and expand opportunities for students within the ECE program.
• Experience implementing curriculum and thinking with reconceptualist theories and curriculum.