Instructor of American Studies-Durham

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Instructor

DEPARTMENT: Humanities

POSITION LOCATION: Durham, NC

POSITION NUMBER: 60087848

POSTING DATE: Wednesday, October 8, 2025

CLOSING DATE: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 11:59 p.m.

POSITION TYPE: 10-month Permanent, EHRA Faculty, FLSA Exempt, 1.0 FTE

HIRING SALARY RANGE: Salary commensurate with education and experience.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: Monday, January 26, 2026

NCSSM and the Humanities Department/Academic Programs foster an environment of collaboration across departments and divisions and support community-engaged service and research.

Description of Duties:

Founded in 1980, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is a state-supported residential and online high school for students who have demonstrated exceptional talent or interest in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Since the school’s inception, the humanities and fine arts have been an integral part of an NCSSM education and have played a key role in helping the institution fulfill its mission to cultivate a new generation of informed, empathetic, engaged, and ethical citizens and leaders.

The position reports to the Chair of Humanities, NCSSM-Durham, and is responsible for providing instruction in American Studies, a two-course sequence required of all NCSSM juniors. It is the core shared humanities experience for all incoming students—a course in which students not only gain a sense of the chronology of American history, literature, and culture but also dive deeply into selected primary and secondary texts, topics, and issues in American culture. Students earn double credit for this course: a credit in English and a credit in History/Social Science for each semester’s study. All sections of this multi-section course focus on the study of primary sources in their historical and cultural contexts: historical documents, literary texts, and other cultural artifacts that highlight multiple voices and experiences.

The expected teaching assignment for the position is three course sections of American Studies each semester. The new instructor may be asked to co-teach the course with a colleague with complementary expertise for up to two years, with opportunities to extend that collaboration. Co-teaching involves collaboration to develop an integrated syllabus in light of the American Studies program’s shared learning outcomes and course guidelines, and daily collaboration to teach the course and assess students’ learning.

During subsequent years at NCSSM, the instructor may have the opportunity to teach one of NCSSM’s senior-level English or interdisciplinary humanities electives—courses that emphasize critical reading, critical thinking, and academic writing.

NCSSM Humanities also includes a strong fine arts program that offers courses and extracurricular opportunities in the visual arts, music, and drama. NCSSM Humanities also offers student- and faculty-led seminars and independent studies.

Humanities faculty are responsible for developing and teaching innovative and engaging humanities curricula, with a focus on interdisciplinary studies, in NCSSM’s residential and highly interactive online programs. Faculty should plan on playing an enthusiastic role with colleagues across all campuses of the school in ongoing conversations and collaborations about ideas, goals, pedagogical methods, and authentic assessments in NCSSM’s teaching and learning environment.

Other responsibilities include:

• Develop and communicate to students clear course objectives and goals;


• Plan and develop an instructional program that helps students assimilate specific course content and skills;


• Hold office hours and tutorial sessions as outlined by the Department of Humanities;


• Regularly monitor and evaluate students’ progress, providing them with resources and feedback on their performance;


• Structure and manage an environment conducive to learning;


• Model for students responsibility to self and others;


• Follow the school’s philosophy, policies, and procedures;


• Participate in departmental, faculty, and staff meetings;


• Serve on departmental, faculty, and school-wide standing committees;


• Write recommendations for as many as 15 students each year, as requested;


• Serve as a January-Term sponsor;


• Participate in professional development and personal intellectual growth activities;


• Participate in one or more of the following activities:
  • Provide professional service and engagement in the field;
  
  
  • Assist students with special projects, independent and individual study, and seminar-based studies;
  
  
  • Participate in the NCSSM admissions process by recruiting, selecting, and advising prospective students;
  
  
  • Participate in NCSSM alumni activities;
  
  
  • Provide assistance for school-sponsored programs and extracurricular activities.

Remote Options: None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

A wide-ranging knowledge of American history and its cultural and social contexts;

Commitment to an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the humanities, including knowledge of American literature, art, and other disciplines within the humanities;

Experience and/or interest in co-teaching and a willingness to collaborate with colleagues;

Experience in individualizing instruction, especially in teaching writing as a tool of thought; and

A commitment to participating actively in the multi-dimensional life of the NCSSM community.

Education and Experience:

Master’s degree in history, English, comparative literature, social studies, or a related field in the humanities, with a proven record of effective and inspiring teaching, preferably with advanced high school or undergraduate students.

Successful candidates will have the content knowledge to teach American Studies, the core Humanities experience for all NCSSM juniors, and the willingness to work cooperatively and effectively with colleagues to develop and follow shared practices for this multi-section course.

Team NCSSM Benefits

NCSSM has been named the #1 Public High School in America for 2025 and 2026. Join our winning team!

NCSSM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being, growth, and work-life balance of our employees. Highlights include generous vacation and sick leave; 12 annual holidays; paid parental, family medical, and community service leave; and flexible work schedules where applicable. Leave is earned monthly and pro-rated for part-time employees and those working less than 12 months. Employees also enjoy access to the State Health Plan, multiple retirement options (including TSERS and ORP), supplemental retirement savings plans, tuition waiver benefits across the UNC System, and free access to on-site facilities like a gym, library, and cafeteria. Additional perks include life insurance, disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, and membership eligibility with the State Employees Credit Union.

Please visit NCSSM Employee Benefits for more information.

Supplemental and Contact Information:

Please complete your application in full. All required Competencies, Work History, and Credentials must appear on the application in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application to receive consideration during the selection process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State Application form in its entirety. “See Attached Resume or an Embedded Text Resume” will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require a motor vehicle check. If the highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at www.wes.org or equivalent service. NCSSM participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Please note: Only one application is accepted per candidate for each specific job posting.