Contemplative Practices & Pedagogy Fellowship
Position Title: Contemplative Practices & Pedagogy Fellowship
Department/Program: MCIC 53000
Work Location: Hybrid
Campus Location: Arapahoe Campus
Reports to: Chief of Staff/Vice President of Mission, Culture, & Inclusive Community
FLSA Classification: Salaried/Exempt
FTE: 100% (40 hrs/week)
Compensation: $40,000 - $57,500 annually
Application Deadline 8/29 or until filled
Job Summary
This one-year fellowship combines teaching and curricular position/s at Naropa specifically devoted to teaching various forms of contemplative practice across disciplines and departments, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This fellowship acknowledges that a) Naropa has a founding host lineage based on the teachings and practices of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche which gave rise to unique contemplative pedagogies and b) further that the founding vision of Naropa includes and is enriched by a number of contemplative pedagogies and practices from a variety of world wisdom traditions and disciplines. The fellowship is a commitment to the ongoing flourishing of the various contemplative lineages held at Naropa. The Contemplative Practices & Pedagogy Fellowship would support the maintenance, and extension of the host lineage of Naropa, as well as continue the expansion and diversification of contemplative practices, pedagogies and outlooks by activating any number of other contemplative traditions. The Fellow will teach up to 18 credits per academic year.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
· Work with Academic Affairs & Mission, Culture, & Inclusive Community to develop and implement the President’s Contemplative Pedagogy Series.
· Support the curation , facilitation, and overall organization of Naropa’s Community Practice Day.
· Develop, teach and collaborate with MCIC and other faculty to develop courses and trainings in contemplative pedagogy and ethos.
· Support the development of a community-wide course on Naropa’s history, founder and unique contemplative pedagogy.
· Support ceremonies and ritual practices around the campus transition and other significant community needs.
Teaching Duties
· Teach and/or support undergraduate and graduate level courses, (up to 18 credits per academic year for instructor of record courses),faculty trainings and public programs in a variety of contemplative practices, which could include but are not limited to:
o Meditation Practicums;
o Compassion Trainings;
o Contemplative Practice Retreats as offered by various departments;
o Contemplative Psychology;
o Dharma Arts;
o Maitri Space Awareness Practice;
o Contemplative Pedagogy including Faculty Trainings;
o Public contemplative programs (also offered for-credit at times):
- Meditation Instructor Training;
- Mindful Compassion Training: WELCOME;
o Other cross-listed Contemplative Courses, based on their expertise: such as contemplative arts (Ikebana, calligraphy, writing & poetics, eg); contemplative movement practices; ritual arts (Tea Ceremony, eg); and
o Non-credit courses such as Mudra Space Awareness.
· Grade all assignments, provide feedback to students in a timely manner and submit final grades by the deadline established by the Registrar.
· Offer office hours each week plus be available to students by appointment as well as phone or email communication as needed.
· Prepare course syllabi according to the Academic Affairs syllabi instructions and submit the syllabus via Simple Syllabus by the established deadline.
· Publish course(s) in Canvas by the established deadline.
· Obtain permission from the copyright owner for any copyrighted material to be used in sourcebooks.
Required Qualifications:
· Training in contemplative practices and pedagogies in a world wisdom tradition or discipline.
· Retreat experience and guidance from qualified teachers.
· 3-5 years teaching experience, specifically in contemplative practices.
· Demonstrated training and experience in integrating contemplative practice with awareness of and work in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
· Completion of JEDI training and or equivalent curriculum immersion.
· Background and knowledge of an academic discipline that incorporates contemplative practices and pedagogy.
· Masters level or higher degree in a relevant field such as Contemplative Studies, Religious Studies, Psychology, Counseling, Education, the Arts, Ecopsychology, Chaplaincy or other disciplines that provide a solid foundation in mindfulness study and practice.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Experience leading online contemplative courses and retreats.
· Knowledge and experience of Naropa as a contemplative education project
· Naropa Mindfulness Instructor Training & Certificate; or other equivalent training, courses and certifications that are recognized by an established teacher(s)/organization.
· Apprenticeship with an established teacher in a contemplative tradition.
Naropa recognizes the following holidays throughout the year: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Fall Break, 4th Thursday and Friday in November, and Winter Break, the last two weeks in December encompassing the Christmas holiday as well as New Year’s.
Naropa’s health and welfare benefits include the following: medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, employer-paid short-term and long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, an employer-sponsored pre-tax retirement savings plan, and a variety of voluntary, employee-paid supplemental insurance plans.
A comprehensive benefits package is available to full-time employees who work a minimum of 30 hours each week. Employees who work 20 – 29 hours each week are eligible for only the employer-paid short-term & long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance & accidental death and dismemberment, and the retirement plan.
Employees who work fewer than 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in Naropa’s retirement plan only.
All regular full-time and part-time faculty and staff, including student workers, accrue sick leave benefits. Full-time and part-time staff positions accrue vacation and personal time. All leave accrual rates vary based on the position, hours worked, and years of service.
The University recognizes the importance of including its employees in its organizational mission and values and welcomes employees into the classroom to “touch the magic.” Specifically, regular employees are provided generous tuition remission opportunities for themselves and their family members.
Naropa University participates in the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP). CIC-TEP is a network of CIC colleges and universities willing to accept, tuition-free, students from families of full-time employees of other CIC participating institutions (full-time as designated by the employer/institution). Additional information can be found here: https://www.cic.edu/member-services/tuition-exchange-program.
Naropa University is an equal opportunity, non-discriminatory employer and Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual and relationship violence. This law applies to all students, faculty, and staff.
JOB CODE: AY2627 003