Department of Teaching and Learning

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Selection, Evaluation, and Integration of Part-Time Faculty

The Department of Teaching and Learning has utilized a number of part-time instructors within various programs in the department. Part-time faculty members are selected by the faculty in the program areas through a process that includes review of documents submitted by the applicant, and an interview of the candidate(s). The search process focuses on 1) the candidate's content preparation, 2) the candidate's understanding of the mission and goals of the program in particular, and department in general, 3) the candidate's contributions to the field to which the candidate will be assigned.

Applicants are screened in terms of educational preparation, scholarship in the field of expertise, and service to the profession. An orientation for part-time faculty is conducted at the beginning of the appointment, and periodically thereafter, to assure successful integration into the professional life of the department. These orientations are conducted by both the Department Chair and appropriate program coordinators. The orientation provides information about the program and department mission and associated goals, policies regarding field experiences, especially in the area of supervisory responsibilities, conceptual framework, college and university guidelines, professional development opportunities, and faculty evaluation criteria and procedures.

Part-time faculty members are provided departmental course outlines covering their course responsibilities. From these outlines part-time faculty members prepare course syllabi for their course or courses. All such course syllabi are approved by the responsible program coordinators and are placed on file in the department.

Part-time faculty members are evaluated each semester employing the same Student Evaluation Form used for regular full-time faculty members. Each year the Department Chair conducts an annual evaluation of each part-time faculty member. Part-Time faculty members submit to the Chair a description of accomplishments in teaching, scholarship, and service for the year. In addition, copies of the completed Student Evaluation Forms for each course taught are submitted for review. Part-Time faculty members are expected to demonstrate through their teaching, scholarship, and service the four commitments in the College of Education Conceptual Framework. These accomplishments are reviewed by the Department Chair and Program Coordinator in terms of the candidates assigned responsibilities. Areas of strength are identified, along with areas for improvement. This evaluation outlines strengths and needs for improvement, based on student evaluations, feedback from other faculty, and the recommendation of the program coordinator. A written evaluation is given to the Part-Time faculty member for review prior to a formal conference with the Department Chair. A formal conference is scheduled to discuss the evaluation. Faculty have an opportunity to compose a self-evaluation to be attached to the Chair's evaluation. Upon completion of the conference, the faculty member and Chair sign the evaluation indicating that an evaluation has been conducted and a conference held. The Department Chair and program coordinator make the final decision regarding continuing employment of the part-time faculty member based on the outcome of this annual review. Prior to employment, each part-time faculty member must be approved by the Department Chair, Dean of the College of Education, Provost of Georgia Southern University and the Board of Regents.

Part-time faculty who continue to teach courses and/or supervise students in field placements on a regular basis quickly become an integral part of the program and department through their continued dedication to program evaluation, course development and refinement, professional development activities and collaboration with full-time faculty and other adjuncts in the program and department.