Open Rank Professor, Undergraduate Special Education

About the role

The successful candidate will work closely with the Chair of Undergraduate Special Education to support program development, course oversight, curriculum innovation, and candidate success initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate special education courses in residency and traditional pathways across multiple instructional modalities, including online, hybrid, and in-person settings.
• Create engaging, inclusive, and accessible learning environments that support diverse adult learners.
• Support students in developing competencies aligned with Illinois licensure standards, High-Leverage Practices (HLPs), and evidence-based instructional practices.
• Mentor, advise, and provide professional guidance to undergraduate teacher candidates.
• Collaborate with the Chair of Undergraduate Special Education to support day-to-day program operations and initiatives.
• Afford assistance with oversight and coordination of undergraduate special education courses and instructional quality.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in the development, revision, and continuous improvement of undergraduate coursework and curriculum.
• Collaborate with faculty, adjunct instructors, university departments, and community partners to support high-quality educator preparation.
• Participate in departmental, college, and university committees and initiatives.
• Build and maintain partnerships with schools, districts, and community organizations that support residency and field-based learning opportunities.
• Support initiatives that promote educational equity, inclusion, accessibility, and culturally responsive teaching practices.
• Maintain expertise in current special education research, policy, instructional practices, and educational technology.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Special Education or a closely related field required.
• Earned doctorate in Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, or a related field preferred.
• ABD candidates with documented progress toward degree completion may be considered.
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with LBS1 endorsement required.
• Minimum of four years of professional experience in special education settings.
• Experience teaching or supporting students in higher education settings preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in special education instruction, intervention, and inclusive practices across diverse learning environments.
• Experience supporting educator residency programming and/or field-based teacher preparation models preferred.
• Experience developing or revising higher education coursework and curriculum preferred.
• Expertise in High-Leverage Practices (HLPs), evidence-based practices, assistive technology, behavior supports, literacy, transition planning, and inclusive instruction preferred.
• Experience teaching across online, hybrid, and face-to-face instructional modalities preferred.
• Experience supporting students with high-incidence and low-incidence disabilities preferred.