Department: School of Graduate and Professional Studies
Reports To: Department Chair
Time Commitment: Ongoing (as needed)
Start Date: Immediately
The Division of Special Education at Fresno Pacific University offers preliminary education specialist credentials in Mild-Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, and Early Childhood Special Education. The division also offers the Adapted Physical Education Added Authorization and Master’s degree in Special Education. The program completers and graduates are well prepared and highly desired in the educational community in California’s Central Valley and beyond.
Role:
Mentors must have extensive, articulable experience in a range of classrooms and demonstrate a willingness to serve in a variety of educational settings as a mentor. Mentors must have demonstrated success serving in a special education setting which matches the credential held. Must be able to provide quantifiable and insightful feedback to candidates in a timely manner to support the candidate’s development as a teacher. Must be able to exhibit sensitivity to a wide variety of teaching experiences.
Candidates range from seasoned teachers who are supplementing general education credentials to beginning teachers who have not maintained a classroom of their own for a year.
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Uphold ethical standards and incorporate evidence-based educational practices in alignment with relevant theories, research, and regulations.
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Embrace and respect cultural diversity, including differences in heritage, ethnicity, language, age, religion, socioeconomic status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, and abilities or disabilities.
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Demonstrate knowledge of pedagogical theories, academic language development, and best practices for teaching English language learners.
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Assess and support students from diverse backgrounds with varying language, communication, and cognitive abilities.
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Utilize both formal and informal assessments to identify students' needs and strengths.
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Understand the goals, content, and objectives of the adopted instructional program, especially for English learners, to ensure effective teaching and support.
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Exhibit a thorough understanding of typical and atypical human development, from prenatal stages to adulthood, and how developmental stages influence learning.
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Understand atypical development related to disabilities, risk factors, resilience, and protective factors, and how these impact learning.
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Implement systems for assessing, planning, and providing academic and social skills instruction to foster positive behavior in all students.
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Develop, adapt, and evaluate various pedagogical approaches, including instructional sequences, unit plans, and lesson plans.
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Apply strategies and best practices to create differentiated lessons and instructional sequences tailored to students' diverse strengths and needs in various educational settings.
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Collaborate effectively in co-teaching, consulting, and instructional teams to enhance curriculum and instruction for students with disabilities.
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Understand how children's and adolescents' decisions and behaviors can impact their health and safety.
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Demonstrate professionalism in attitude and behavior at all times.
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Exhibit effective coaching techniques to support student development and achievement.
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Work independently with minimal supervision and manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
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Provide outstanding coaching and support to students and colleagues.
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Maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information with the utmost care and professionalism.
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Demonstrate a commitment to serving and inspiring students in an academic context that integrates your Christian faith and learning.
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Embrace the mission, vision, and values of Fresno Pacific University, affirm the FPU Faith Expectations (Download PDF reader), and support the ideals and practices articulated in "The Fresno Pacific Idea”
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Other job duties as assigned
Required Documents:
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Cover Letter
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Curriculum Vitae
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Official Transcripts (showing highest degree earned)
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2 Professional References
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Faith Reference Letter — This should be written by a clergy or church leader who has extensive knowledge of your Christian life and relationship with Jesus Christ. This knowledge should be expressed in the letter.
Compensation is based on highest completed degree level:
Non-Terminal degree: Anticipated pay per unit $811.51, $23.97 per hour
Terminal degree: Anticipated pay per unit $977.98, $28.82 per hour
UNIVERSITY DESCRIPTION
Fresno Pacific University is the only accredited Christian university founded in the Central Valley. FPU connects every student’s untapped potential with unlimited opportunity for professional, personal and ethical growth. FPU offers undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs that stress solid academic preparation and a strong ethical foundation to more than 3,500 traditional and adult students on the main campus in southeast Fresno and regional campuses in North Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced as well as online. The university also reaches about 8,000 students through professional development studies. FPU has the highest four-year graduation rate of any Central Valley college or university, and is a Hispanic Serving Institution, with a Hispanic student population of 47 percent. FPU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and ranked in the top tier among western universities—master’s category by U.S. News & World Report. Both U.S. News and Washington Monthly include FPU on their “Best Value” and “Best Bang for the Buck” lists, U.S. News places it at number 13 in its category for student social mobility and Money has ranked it at number 11 among 50 Best Colleges for Transfer Students. FPU is affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church, and all employees express a personal Christian commitment and support the Christian mission of the university. A description of the unique quality of FPU as an academic community can be found in the Fresno Pacific Idea at fresno.edu/about/fpu_idea.
Reserving its rights as a religious institution, Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age or disability, or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity, FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you should contact FPU’s Human Resources Department at [email protected]. As a religious institution, the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith, the FPU Idea and the University’s governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
This information, including salary, is accurate as of January 13, 2025.
