The University of Northern Iowa's Department of Literacy, Early Childhood and Special 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. 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. 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 inservice educators and new teacher candidates willing and able to meet the needs of each learner through undergraduate and graduate study. Further, a new undergraduate major in Special and Inclusive Education leading to Iowa endorsements #260, #261, and #264 is expected to start in fall 2026. The successful candidate will be welcomed to join and lead these efforts. The Department of Literacy, Early Childhood, and Special Education provides education, advocacy, and leadership at the local, state, and national level.

We seek a passionate individual capable of 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 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; 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 teaching experience with students with disabilities; 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.

Application Instructions: All application materials received by January 28, 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 Vitae

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.

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.

The University offers an excellent benefits package including a vacation plan, employer sponsored retirement plans, health and dental insurance, and life and disability insurance. Benefits package details can be viewed at https://careers.uni.edu/benefits. Application materials received by 1/28/2026 will be given first consideration. For more information or to apply, visit https://careers.uni.edu/. Criminal and other relevant background checks required. UNI is a tobacco free campus.