Assistant Professor of Practice - Special & Inclusive Education

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Full Consideration Date:

5/15/2026

Job Description:

The University of Northern Iowa's Department of Literacy, Early Childhood and Special Education in the College of Education seeks applications for a two-year term Assistant Professor of Practice in Special and Inclusive Education position, starting in August 2026. This position will focus on instructional methods for K-12 students with high support needs (see Iowa Instructional Strategist II: Intellectual Disabilities). Applicants with expertise with students with moderate to low support needs will also be considered. With a record of successful performance in this role, this term position may be renewed. Every applicant should have a demonstrated commitment to supporting the success of each student and creating environments where every learner can thrive through the preparation for preservice and inservice teachers. 

For 150 years, UNI has been committed to preparing exceptional educators and serving the schools and communities of Iowa. The Special and Inclusive faculty within the Department of Literacy, Early Childhood, and Special Education provide education, advocacy, and leadership at the local, state, and national level.  We seek to elevate our faculty across disciplines, departments, and colleges and to build an inclusive teaching and learning environment. Our robust teacher education program supports excellent preparation of new teacher candidates and inservice educators willing and able to meet the needs of each learner through undergraduate and graduate study. We offer courses on campus, online, and in partnership with local schools. Further, a new undergraduate major in Special and Inclusive Education leading to Iowa endorsements #260, #261, and #264 will start in fall 2026. The successful candidate will join and lead these efforts.

We seek an individual capable of fulfilling the following roles: teaching undergraduate and post-baccalaureate endorsement coursework (assessment, instructional methods, and transition for students with disabilities with high support needs); graduate courses in special and inclusive education; collaborating with local schools, agencies and service providers; providing field-based supervision; and providing service to the department, college, university, community and profession at large.

Education Requirements: 

Earned Master’s degree in special education or a closely related field by time of employment in August 2026 required.

Required Qualifications: 

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; and an emerging record of higher education teaching, research, and scholarship focused on special and inclusive education or a closely related field required.

Preferred Qualifications: 

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); and/or publication record in peer-reviewed journals and evidence of potential to secure external funding preferred. 

For more information, please contact Amy Staples at amy.staples@uni.edu or Theresa Hirst at theresa.hirst@uni.edu. Pre-employment background checks required.

Position Details:

Job Category:  Faculty

Type of Position:  Term

Service Schedule:  Academic Year

Application Instructions: 

All application materials received by May 15, 2026, will be given full consideration. To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. The following materials must be attached when applying:

1) Curriculum Vita
2) Cover Letter

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach multiple documents when completing the application. Before submitting your online job application, make sure that all required materials listed above have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email careers-support@uni.edu or call 319-273-2422.

Iowa enjoys a lower cost of living than many other states. See how the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area compares by utilizing the cost of living calculator. Our overall compensation package is enhanced by excellent benefits for eligible non-temporary positions. To learn more about the vibrant Cedar Valley community, visit https://livethevalley.com/.

If you would like general assistance with the application process or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Human Resource Services at hrs-employment@uni.edu or call (319) 273-2422.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

UNI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.

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