Adjunct Instructors of Mathematics

Department: Mathematics
Position: Part-time
Posting Date: February 2011

Description
The Department of Mathematics at the University of Montana Western invites applications for part-time adjunct Instructor positions to begin on an as-needed basis. Applications will be kept on file and candidates will be contacted when a position opens.

Requirements
An earned M.S. or M.A. in mathematics or mathematics education by the starting date is required for appointment. Duties include teaching four to eight credit hours per semester at the developmental or general education level. Separate temporary employment contracts will be written for each adjunct teaching assignment with payment based on a per-credit-taught basis.

If the teaching assignment is for a developmental mathematics course, it is expected that candidates will use materials provided by the UMW Department of Mathematics that are designed to support a consistent curriculum across Montana Western’s developmental mathematics program. Potential general education courses may include, but are not limited to, introductory geometry, introductory number theory, college algebra, etc.

Starting in fall 2005, the University of Montana Western became the only four-year public university to offer block scheduling when it implemented the Experience One system. Under this system, students take a single course at a time, meeting for three hours per day for 18 days (one block). Additionally, faculty teach one course at a time using experiential teaching methods.

Applicants for this position must be committed to teaching within the Experience One schedule and must be committed to the development of a high level of mathematical ability in developmental mathematics students coming from all academic backgrounds.

Application
A complete application will include the following:

• A cover letter stating your intent to apply for this position.  Your cover letter should indicate which blocks of the year you would be available to teach.  Schedules for start and end dates of the blocks for the current (and past) academic years can be found at  http://my.umwestern.edu/academics/calendar/.
• Current curriculum vitae.
• Statement of your teaching philosophy including how you would approach the teaching of developmental mathematics.
• Unofficial copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
• The names, phone numbers, addresses, and e-mail addresses of at least three professional references.
• Most important to the application process is a statement of what experiential education means to the applicant and how you would envision implementing it under the Experience One system at Montana Western. In particular, how will you implement experiential teaching and learning techniques in the developmental or general education classroom? The serious applicant will research the meaning of this on the University of Montana Western web page (http://x1.umwestern.edu) before applying. We want to know what you do or will do to cause your students to learn math through the authentic practice of it as a discipline. We want to read of your experiences as well as of your aspirations about this.

Send applications to:

Mathematics Adjunct Search Committee
Department of Mathematics
The University of Montana Western
710 South Atlantic Street
Dillon, Mont. 59725-3598

The University & Dillon Area
The University of Montana Western, located in Dillon, Mont., is an innovative institution nestled in a scenic valley in the Rocky Mountains of southwestern Montana. The campus Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) for student enrollment is approximately 1,289. Montana Western has over 60 FTE faculty members, features small classes for all students and has been recognized for excellence by U.S. News and World Report. Montana Western’s small size and focus on education innovation have earned it the reputation of being a place where faculty and staff choose to collegially and creatively make a difference in the education of students. Montana Western is the first and only public four-year college in the nation to use block scheduling in which students take a single class at a time. This immersion learning program facilitates increased opportunities for experiential types of learning.

The mission of the University of Montana Western is to provide innovative interdisciplinary education through experiential learning that combines theory and practice. Montana Western services citizens of all ages with its academic, community-service, and lifelong-learning programs. As part of the global community, Montana Western encourages diversity, international awareness, environmental responsibility, and mastery of technology as a gateway to the world.

Dillon, a community of 5,000 people, is known for outstanding public schools, safe environments, recreational opportunities and an excellent quality of life.The University of Montana Western is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from qualified women, minorities, Vietnam era veterans and people with disabilities. Position eligible for veteran’s preference in accordance with State law. Finalists for this position may be subject to a criminal background investigation.

The University of Montana Western is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from qualified women, minorities, Vietnam era veterans and people with disabilities.

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