Position Information
Position Type Faculty Track Position Title Adjunct Faculty - Professional Writing Support Specialist for Writing Lab (SAS 011) Employment Status Months Campus Biddeford, ME Description
The University of New England invites applications for Adjunct Faculty - Professional Writing Support Specialists to teach SAS 011: Writing Lab, the University's co-requisite writing support course for students enrolled in WRT 110: First-Year Writing.
SAS 011 provides individualized writing instruction to students who benefit from additional academic support as they develop college-level reading and writing skills. Unlike traditional classroom-based courses, instructors meet individually (or occasionally with groups of two students) during scheduled 50-minute sessions throughout the semester. Instruction is personalized to each student's needs and focuses on building confidence, independence, and success as academic writers.
Professional Writing Support Specialists collaborate with First-Year Writing (WRT 110) instructors to reinforce course learning objectives, support student progress, and help students develop effective writing strategies.
This is a part-time, on-campus adjunct faculty position with semester appointments running from August 29 through December 18.
Teaching Schedule & Workload
Each instructor is assigned approximately 6-12 students, with each student attending one 50-minute writing support session per week throughout the semester.
The teaching workload includes:
- Approximately 6-12 instructional contact hours per week, depending on student assignment
- An additional 3-5 hours per week for session preparation, student and faculty communication, record keeping, and related administrative responsibilities
Most instructors are able to schedule their teaching responsibilities across 2-3 days per week, based on instructor and student availability.
Responsibilities
Design and conduct fifteen one-on-one or two-on-one writing support sessions for each assigned student. Writing support activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Assessing students' developmental writing needs.
- Providing feedback and guidance to encourage, motivate, and build students' confidence and skills in reading and writing.
- Developing students' reading and writing strategies.
- Reviewing course materials by discussing texts, writing prompts, and other assignments from First-Year Composition (FYC).
- Providing oral feedback and guidance on drafts, pre-writing activities, annotations, and other writing assignments completed for FYC.
- Coaching students on giving and receiving constructive feedback.
- Assisting students with course logistics and organization.
- Developing tutoring materials, including handouts, study guides, and instructional aids.
- Monitoring and assessing students' progress throughout the semester.
Coordinate and collaborate with First-Year Composition (FYC) instructors by:
- Maintaining regular communication with FYC instructors.
- Reviewing assigned course texts, prompts, and instructional materials.
- Monitoring and assessing student progress toward FYC course learning objectives.
Perform administrative duties, including but not limited to:
- Scheduling writing support appointments with students.
- Communicating regularly with students and the Writing Lab Coordinator.
- Maintaining accurate records of attendance, student progress toward SAS 011 learning objectives, and other required documentation.
Additional responsibilites include:
- Participate in occasional professional development sessions for Writing Lab staff.
- Implement the Writing Lab curriculum in a manner consistent with the practices and values of the University of New England's First-Year Writing community, including the administrators, instructors, and writing support staff of both FYC and SAS 011.
- Provide equivalent instructional support if the number of assigned students falls below the contracted workload. In such cases, the Professional Writing Support Specialist will schedule an equivalent number of 50-minute writing support sessions each week for the duration of the contract.
Qualifications
- Master's degree and at least two years of experience teaching or tutoring writing in a secondary or post-secondary educational setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides comparable knowledge and skills.
- Advanced knowledge of academic reading and writing practices, conventions, and genres.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and address students' developmental reading and writing needs.
- Excellent teaching and motivational skills, with the ability to work effectively with both individual students and small groups while adapting instruction to diverse learning styles and needs.
- Sensitivity to the needs of underprepared, struggling, and adult learners.
- Demonstrated knowledge of effective learning strategies and tutoring methodologies.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Commitment to a collaborative approach when working with students, faculty, and staff to provide integrated learning support services.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritize responsibilities, organize workflow, and complete assignments within established deadlines.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment when resolving or referring complex or non-routine situations.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and web-based instructional technologies
EEO Statement Summary
Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits, and will not tolerate, discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors should not motivate decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.
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