Part-Time Theatre Arts Instructor (Pool)

The San Mateo County Community College District is committed to achieving educational equity for all students. As outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan, “success, equity, and social justice for our students are longstanding goals.” The District’s “Students First” Strategic Plan is focused on “Student Success, Equity and Social Justice.” We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences — emphasizing collaboration and engaging students in and out of the classroom, encouraging them to realize their goals, and to become global citizens and socially responsible leaders. When you join our team at San Mateo County Community College District, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, classified staff, administration, students and community partners.

The San Mateo County Community College District is home to Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College. All three of our colleges are designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions enrolling approximately 33,000 students each academic year. San Mateo County Community College District has a diverse student population that is a reflection of the communities that it serves. Detailed information about the student population, including data related to student success, can be found on the  San Mateo County Community College District’s Educational Services & Planning website.

We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities and orientations. Therefore, we prioritize applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community. The successful candidate will be an equity-minded individual committed to collaborating with faculty, classified staff, administration, students and community partners who are also committed to closing equity gaps. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to: 
 
(1) Understand the importance of holding ourselves accountable as educators for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices; 
 
(2) Reframe inequities as a problem of practice and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility; 
 
(3) Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human difference; 
 
(4) Reflect on institutional and teaching practices and aim to make them more culturally responsive; and 
 
(5) Strategically build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity-related initiatives. 
 
The San Mateo County Community College District seeks employees who value mentorship and working in a collegial, collaborative environment, guided by a commitment to helping all students achieve their educational goals. All departments strongly encourage collaboration across disciplines to create inclusive, integrated, and interdisciplinary learning experiences. College faculty are expected to be knowledgeable about, and willing to use, different learning and teaching methods appropriate to the students they serve. 
 
Your cover letter must include discussion of the following questions: 
 
• What do you feel are the best strategies for supporting students who have been historically marginalized? 
 
• Think of the most successful class you have taught. What were the key factors in creating that success for racially-minoritized and other underserved disproportionately disadvantaged students? 
 
• How is your teaching approach culturally-responsive to the students you serve?

The Colleges seek a part-time faculty member in Theatre Arts. The ideal candidate will share the Colleges’ commitment to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population. 
 
This position is a “pool” position meaning that openings may or may not be currently available. The District maintains a “pool” of applications for positions which are needed on an ongoing basis at Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College. The advantage of “pool” positions is when a position becomes available, the Dean may immediately begin screening applications from the available pool of applicants without having to post a position and wait while the position is being advertised. Your application for this position will be kept current for a period of two years.

The duties below are representative of the position and not intended to cover all of the duties performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment. 
 
1. Teach college transfer courses in the dramatic arts, such as acting, literature, directing, and ideally theater production 
 
2. Direct plays for public performances 
 
3. Instruct and assist in the growth and success of a diverse population of students through careful preparation of course materials, effective teaching methodologies, and informed critical feedback on assignments and discussions 
 
4. Teaching evening and/or Saturday assignments may be required as part of the contract 
 
5. Perform other duties as required by contract, collective bargaining agreement, and general institutional needs 
 
6. Participate in curriculum development in the Drama Department 
 
7. Teach scheduled classes and perform related duties as assigned, including timely compliance with clerical and administrative responsibilities; comply with District, college and division policies in the performance of duties

• Possession of a Master’s or above or Master of Fine Arts in drama, theatre arts, or performance OR Bachelor’s or Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama, theatre arts, or performance AND Master’s or above in comparative literature, English, communication studies, speech, literature or humanities OR the equivalent (see below) 
 
• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff

The screening committee will select for interview candidates from among those applicants who, in addition to meeting the requirements, give evidence of any or all of the following: 
 
1. Understanding of and commitment to teaching community college students 
 
2. Recent successful experience in teaching or preparation to teach community college courses in interpersonal communication and/or public speaking 
 
3. Successful experience working with ethnically diverse students, including those with limited English proficiency 
 
4. Ability to use and develop teaching methods that emphasize cooperation and collaboration, and engage students actively in learning, encouraging them to become independent, creative learners with higher-order thinking skills. 
 
5. Ability to organize and explain materials in ways appropriate to students with different abilities, levels of preparation, and cultural experiences. 
 
6. Understanding of the role of supplemental learning and academic resources; familiarity with the use of multimedia-based technology, including computer-based technology appropriate to the speech discipline. 
 
7. Acceptance of the division’s commitment to established academic standards. 
 
8. An understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff

Required application materials will be screened on the basis of Requirements and Desirable Skills and Abilities listed in this announcement. Candidates for interview will be selected from among those who most closely meet the requirements and desirable skills and abilities. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. As part of the interview process, candidates may be asked to provide a teaching demonstration or demonstrate other job-related skills.

Prior to employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete the following: 
 
1. Submit official transcripts (applies to all faculty or educational administrative positions) 
 
i. Foreign Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs in order for it to be considered for the satisfaction of minimum qualifications. Foreign transcripts must be translated and evaluated by a U.S.-based credentials evaluation service. The District currently accepts evaluations from agencies approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. 
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2. Submit verification’s of prior employment 
3. Satisfactory references 
4. Successfully being cleared for employment through the background checking process 
 
i. In addition to background checks, the District may review publicly available information about a candidate on the Internet. If a candidate is aware of incorrect or inaccurate information that is available on the Internet, the candidate is welcome to address such an issue with the Office of Human Resources. 
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5. Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States 
6. Approval of your employment by the SMCCCD Board of Trustees 
7. Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis exam for initial employment. 
8. Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer (Clearance must be received prior to first day of employment). Please note that the California Education Code requires, in part, that community college districts shall not employ or retain in employment persons in public school service who have been convicted of certain felonies, a misdemeanor drug charge (including alcohol offenses) or misdemeanor moral turpitude (sexual offense) crime. However, consideration may be given to those whose drug convictions occurred more than five years ago. A conviction for other crimes may not necessarily disqualify you from the job for which you may be applying.

San Mateo County Community College District’s (SMCCCD) 2020 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. Our 2020 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies, such as those concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The 2020 Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every member of the community remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2020  Annual Security Report is now available. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses (650) 738-7000.