Assistant Professor in Special Education

About the role

The School of Education and Human Services at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh invites applications for a tenure‑track Assistant Professor of Special Education beginning in Fall 2027. The position seeks a scholar‑practitioner with expertise in inclusive special education methods for K–12 learners with disabilities, including curriculum access, assessment‑informed instruction, and specially designed instruction. The successful candidate will join a collaborative faculty committed to preparing future educators through inclusive, equitable, and evidence‑based teaching and will contribute to the preparation of educators, counselors, and human service professionals who positively impact schools and communities.

This is a 9‑month academic year appointment with a standard teaching load of 12 credits per semester. During the first four years of employment, new faculty receive a 3‑credit research release each semester, reducing their teaching load to 9 credits per semester while they establish their research and scholarship.

Oshkosh, Wisconsin, offers an outstanding quality of life in a vibrant and welcoming community. Nestled along the shores of Lake Winnebago and the Fox River, Oshkosh blends natural beauty with the amenities of city living. Conveniently located just 90 miles from Milwaukee and Madison and 55 miles from Green Bay, residents enjoy easy access to larger metropolitan areas while benefiting from the charm and affordability of a smaller city. Outdoor enthusiasts will find abundant opportunities for hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and other recreational activities nearby. The scenic Northwoods of Wisconsin, picturesque Door County, and the Wisconsin Dells are all within a short drive.

Department: School of Education and Human Services

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with K–12 schools that support high‑quality clinical experiences, program development, and community engagement.
• Prepare teacher candidates to use inclusive, evidence‑based instructional practices, including explicit instruction, differentiated instruction, assessment‑informed decision making, progress monitoring, accommodations, modifications, and IEP‑aligned planning.
• Prepare future educators to understand and address issues of equity, disability, culture, language, and access to high‑quality educational opportunities.
• Maintain an active program of scholarship that advances the field of special education and contributes to the mission of the School of Education and Human Services.
• Teach undergraduate courses in cross‑categorical special education with primary emphasis on K–12 methods, literacy, mathematics, curriculum access for learners with mild to moderate disabilities, assessment‑informed intervention, specially designed instruction, instructional planning, family engagement and advocacy.
• Contribute to curriculum development, program assessment, accreditation, licensure documentation, and continuous program improvement aligned with Wisconsin DPI requirements and CEC standards.
• Supervise cross‑categorical special education clinical and student teaching experiences, providing coaching and feedback while collaborating with K–12 educators, related service providers, families, and community partners.
• Participate in department, college, university, professional, and community service, including recruitment, retention, committee work, and collaborative initiatives.
• Develop and teach coursework that prepares teacher candidates to design, implement, and assess evidence‑based instruction for learners with disabilities across elementary, middle, and secondary settings.
• Advise and mentor teacher candidates throughout their educator preparation program.

Requirements

• Earned doctorate or ABD in Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction with a special education emphasis, Learning Disabilities, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in accessible special education methods for K–12 learners with disabilities, including literacy, mathematics, curriculum access, assessment‑informed instruction, and specially designed instruction.
• Minimum of three years of successful professional experience in K–12 cross‑categorical special education.
• Eligibility for, or equivalent preparation aligned with, cross‑categorical special education licensure, including the ability to teach and supervise teacher candidates in coursework, clinical experiences, and student teaching.
• Evidence of an active program of scholarship or the potential to develop a sustained research agenda related to special education.
• Demonstrated commitment to accessible practices, culturally responsive teaching, collaboration, equitable access to the general curriculum, and the preparation of future educators to support students with disabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Successful K–12 teaching experience in cross‑categorical special education, particularly in elementary, middle, and/or secondary settings serving students with learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other disabilities.
• Demonstrated expertise in evidence‑based literacy assessment and instruction for students with disabilities, including intervention planning and progress monitoring.
• Experience teaching or the ability to teach augmentative communication (AC).
• Experience teaching special education methods, curriculum, assessment, IEP development, instructional planning, or specially designed instruction in a teacher preparation program.
• Experience supervising teacher candidates during clinical placements or student teaching in K–12 special education settings.
• Knowledge of CEC special educator preparation standards, Wisconsin DPI licensure and program requirements, evidence‑based instructional practices, and collaborative service delivery.
• Evidence of school partnerships, curriculum leadership, program assessment, or other leadership experiences related to special education.

Education

Minimum Degree Required: Earned doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or a closely related field (ABD considered with completion by appointment date).