UCLA Extension is considered one of the top programs of its kind, offering to more than 35,000 students per year approximately 4,500 classes and non-degree certificate programs to meet the professional development, continuing education, and personal enrichment needs of the full spectrum of nontraditional students as well as companies and organizations throughout and beyond the Los Angeles region.

Course / Program Description

The Ethnic Studies Certificate prepares in-service, K-12 teachers to deliver content within schools, across the age span, that teaches children how to view history and contemporary issues and events from viewpoints of various ethnic groups, and to be critical of the narrow cultural lens of our current core content instruction. Teachers learn to develop and implement ethnic studies-oriented content, curriculum and materials. Teachers who take the certificate will be well prepared to meet the new state requirement that students have knowledge of ethnic studies to graduate. The program presents the nexus between research and practice to support teachers new to the teaching of Ethnic Studies. Students will examine history, literature, media, art, music, and other forms of expression through a critical Ethnic Studies lens.

Job Description

This year-long program focuses on cultivating a community of ethnic studies teachers as they develop their ethnic studies curriculum and pedagogical approaches for teaching ethnic studies at the TK-12 grade levels. Two courses are offered in-person during the summer. The second two courses are designed to augment the teacher’s content knowledge and engage in a community of practices over the course of the school year. These courses meet once a month synchronously via zoom during the school year, culminating in a final “share out” in person in May. The program consists of four 4-unit courses: Ethnic Studies K-12 Pedagogy and Praxis; Ethnic Studies Perspectives and Research; Ethnic Studies K-12 Curriculum and Course Design; Ethnic Studies Core Concepts and Content.

Instructor Duties:

The instructor will teach the course, facilitate in-depth discussions, complete all grading and respond to students in a timely manner. The instructor will be assigned a course within their skill set and provided with a syllabus. The instructor will be expected to participate in an orientation to the program. The instructor will also set up the course on Canvas LMS through a self-paced, required Canvas training. Courses 1 and 2 are in-person at the UCLA Westwood campus and include field trips. Courses 3 and 4 have regular zoom meetings.

Instructor duties include but are not limited to:

• Complete mandatory training programs by deadlines established by UCLA Extension.
• Complete required administrative tasks in a timely manner including: updating and submitting syllabi using approved syllabus template; signing term contract(s); communicating required texts and materials; communicating classroom technology and support needs. Make appropriate adjustments to continually improve the syllabus, curriculum and course materials. May be based upon programmatic and/or student feedback.
• Prepare and deliver course materials, lectures/presentations, and design learning assessments.
• Design interactive and motivational classroom activities to fully engage participants and to reinforce student learning.
• Stay current within the subject, discipline or field of practice.
• Regularly and systematically collaborate with colleagues in P-12 settings, college and university units, and members of the broader educational community to improve educator preparation.
• Use subject-matter expertise and leverage additional resources appropriately to enhance the curriculum.
• Utilize course support platforms, including the Canvas Learning Management System and Zoom Pro (as applicable).
• Communicate teaching objectives and specific learning outcomes to students, and clearly outline/explain the grading policies for the course. Respond to student questions and learning needs in a timely manner.
• Address student questions regarding the policies and requirements for teaching credentials in California directing them to UCLA and CTC resources as necessary.
• Employ culturally competent and inclusive teaching methodologies in the classroom (including teaching non-native speakers and/or students with academic letters of accommodations for learning disabilities).
• Evaluate student achievement of specific learning outcomes and assign grades.
• Post final student grades to the transcript system within two weeks of course completion.
• Handle student inquiries about final grades and consult with Program Director as needed.
• Retain student records according to University policies.

General Employment Information

Employment as a UCLA Extension Instructor is dictated by contract terms and conditions. Please take the time to read the UCLA Extension Instructor Employment Policies.

For information on UCLA Extension instructor benefits, please visit Pay, Benefits, & Privileges.

Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (AEDI) is one of UCLA Extension’s guiding principles. We strive to extend access to UCLA, our programs, and services to underrepresented communities and populations, while serving as a model organization for AEDI in the field of continuing higher education. Committed to attracting and retaining diverse staff & instructors, UCLA Extension welcomes your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity.

• Completion of a California Teacher Credential recognized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• Advanced degree or equivalent international degree required.
• Background in ethnic studies (course work or other ways they have developed content-area expertise) and ethnic studies K-12 teaching experience
• Professional experience working with students and/or teachers in career and technical education.
• Experience advising K-12 educators on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requirements for Single Subject California Single Subject Credential in English (preferred)
• CLAD, BCLAD or ELD/SDAIE Certification. (preferred)
• Experience in developing professional development workshops for K-12 educators. (preferred)
• Experience in course development, including creating original academic content such as syllabi, learning objectives, lectures/presentations/scripts, learning
activities, assignments, assessments, exams, and quizzes. (preferred)
• Proficiency in (or willingness to learn) instructional and other technology, such as: Learning Management Systems (Canvas); lecture/presentation capture
applications (Camtasia or Panopto); online video conferencing (Zoom); Microsoft Office (Word and PowerPoint); Google docs and slides; file sharing (Google
drive or Dropbox); online shared calendars (Google calendar). (preferred)
• Effective organizational skills with attention to detail. (preferred)
• Effective verbal/written communication and presentation skills (English). (preferred)
• Ability to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information. (preferred)
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues and work within a team environment. (preferred)

Help contact: ehr@unex.ucla.edu

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy.