For-Credit Course Instructor Application

Introduction 
Thank you for considering applying to teach a course with the Education Justice Project. Course instructors are part of the backbone of our program and we  greatly value your interest. Higher education in prison is associated with many benefits for students, instructors, and the wider community, both at UIUC and beyond. Please feel free to contact us if you would like further information about our work, or if you have questions as you complete this application.  

Instructors may apply to teach a 16-week full-semester course (3-credits) or a 10-week course (2-credits). EJP’s schedule aligns with the Urbana-Champaign academic calendar. In-person classes can be held in classrooms at Danville Correctional Center on weekday mornings (8:30-11:30am), weekday afternoons (1:30-4:30) or Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings (5-8pm). Each class meets once a week, and is capped at 15 students, though we can register up to 18 with faculty approval.

We especially seek applications for upper-division courses (300- and 400-level). However, we will also accept applications for lower-division courses. We are also able to offer select graduate-level classes (500+), and encourage you to consider this option as a part of your application if you hold graduate-level teaching status, as many EJP students are interested in pursing academic work beyond their undergraduate careers. 

All classes are compensated per credit hour.

Job Description 
Instructors are responsible for the following:

Course Design and Instructional Materials - including syllabi and assignments, choosing books, assembling readers and other materials, determining course reserve content (if any), teaching and grading. You will not be told what or how to teach—although we will offer plenty of feedback, as well as support and consultation for teaching in this special environment. T.A.’s are not available. Course materials (e.g. sylllabi, readings, assignments) are due at least 60 days before the beginning of the semester in order to ensure that the materials are approved by the prison in time for the start of the semester.

Working with other EJP programs - A crucial part of the course instructor’s work is teamwork. As part of the EJP community, you are asked to work closely with tutors, who provide support to your students between class meetings; the EJP community librarian; and the EJP Academic Team, including the On-Site Manager and the Acdemic Director. The Academic Manager will work with you to facilitate these collaborations.

Attending required trainings, syllabus workshop, and for-credit course meetings – if you are new to EJP, there is a mandatory orientation at the prison and two EJP orientations to complete. All EJP members are also required to attend at least one critical climate initiative each year.

Track and Submit Attendance Records – all instructors must track the attendance of their students for EJP program tracking and “good-time” purposes.

Communication – Write up a summary of your course experience at the prison on the EJP’s intranet portal within 48 hours of each class; Stay on top of all communication including regularly checking and responding to emails.

The Academic Manager will support you throughout the semester in both navigating the unique teaching environment and any other general instructional support needs.

Criteria 
We look for instructors who are expert in and passionate about their subject matter; who are mature and excited about this unique learning environment; and who can commit the time to fashion and enact a great course for our students. If you fit these criteria and are eligible to teach the for-credit University of Illinois course(s) you are proposing on the U-C campus, we hope you will apply. 

All applications are welcome. However, because EJP aims to create a supportive learning environment for our incarcerated students, we especially encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds align with those of our students. This includes members of racial minority groups, first-generation degree holders, and individuals from low socioeconomic status backgrounds. Please note that the educational offices are on the second floor of the prison and that there is no elevator. 

According to Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) policy, if you are formerly incarcerated within Illinois or are actively visiting a friend or family who is incarcerated in IDOC, it is unlikely you will be able to receive IDOC clearance. Unfortunately, this is beyond our control. 

Application 
Please submit the following items to complete your application. 

 1. A cover letter that shares: What semester you are applying to teach; 
Your teaching background; 
A brief description (topics/themes) of one or two courses that you’d like to teach. No need for details at this point; 
Why you would like to teach for the Education Justice Project;  
At least three references.  

2. A CV. 
We know that there are many opportunities for you to work for projects on campus and in the community, and we are grateful that you have expressed an interest in working with EJP.