Assistant Professor of Practice - Special & Inclusive Education

University of Northern Iowa Alumni and Foundation • Lexington, MA

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Northern Iowa's Department of Literacy, Early Childhood and Special Education in the College of Education is seeking applications for a two-year term Assistant Professor of Practice in Special and Inclusive Education, starting in August 2026. This position will primarily focus on instructional methods for K-12 students with high support needs, aligning with the Iowa Instructional Strategist II: Intellectual Disabilities. Applicants with expertise in supporting students with moderate to low support needs will also be considered. The term position may be renewed based on successful performance. The university emphasizes a commitment to student success and creating inclusive learning environments for preservice and inservice teachers. UNI has a 150-year history of preparing educators and serving Iowa's schools and communities. The Special and Inclusive faculty within the department are dedicated to education, advocacy, and leadership at various levels, aiming to foster an inclusive teaching and learning environment. The robust teacher education program supports new teacher candidates and inservice educators through undergraduate and graduate study, with courses offered on campus, online, and in partnership with local schools. A new undergraduate major in Special and Inclusive Education, leading to specific Iowa endorsements, will commence in fall 2026, and the successful candidate will contribute to these initiatives.

Requirements

• Earned Master’s degree in special education or a closely related field by time of employment in August 2026
• Experience providing school-based instructional services to students with disabilities requiring high support needs in various settings with an emphasis on inclusive practices
• At least three years of K-12 classroom teaching experience with students with disabilities
• Content-area expertise (e.g., literacy, math), including the provision of accommodations and differentiated instruction
• Knowledge of and experience in assessment
• An emerging record of higher education teaching, research, and scholarship focused on special and inclusive education or a closely related field

Nice To Haves

• At least three years of related school-based experience with students with disabilities with high support needs (Iowa Instructional Strategist II: Intellectual Disabilities)
• Knowledge of and experience with co-teaching, curriculum and assessment design, and assistive technology (including augmentative and alternative communication)
• Experience utilizing culturally relevant pedagogy and/or Disability Studies in Education practices and conceptual frameworks
• Expertise in transition and college and career readiness
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in a variety of formats (e.g., face-to-face, online, blended)
• Publication record in peer-reviewed journals and evidence of potential to secure external funding

Responsibilities

• Teaching undergraduate and post-baccalaureate endorsement coursework (assessment, instructional methods, and transition for students with disabilities with high support needs)
• Teaching graduate courses in special and inclusive education
• Collaborating with local schools, agencies and service providers
• Providing field-based supervision
• Providing service to the department, college, university, community and profession at large

Benefits

• Our overall compensation package is enhanced by excellent benefits for eligible non-temporary positions.
• The University provides a comprehensive benefits package, enabling us to be highly competitive within the Cedar Valley and across the state.
• Designated as a Best Place for Working Parents, UNI supports all individuals through family-friendly policies, practices and benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees