Open Rank Professor, Undergraduate Special Education

Overview

THE OPPORTUNITY

National Louis University seeks a knowledgeable, collaborative, and dynamic educator for a full-time 10-Month  Open Rank Professor of Undergraduate Special Education position. This role will support the continued growth and innovation of undergraduate special education programming across both residency and traditional pathways.

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 include teaching undergraduate special education coursework, supporting residency and traditional educator preparation pathways, collaborating on program improvement efforts, serving as a subject matter expert in course development and revision, and contributing to ongoing accreditation and licensure alignment efforts.

This position requires an educator with strong expertise in special education practice, inclusive instruction, and educator preparation who is committed to preparing future teachers to support students with disabilities across diverse educational settings. The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in culturally responsive and disability-affirming teaching practices, collaboration across teams and partners, and the implementation of evidence-based and high-leverage instructional practices.

The candidate must be effective in working with students from diverse backgrounds, possess a strong understanding of special education laws and regulations, and demonstrate successful professional experience in the field of special education. The successful candidate will contribute meaningfully to a collaborative learning community dedicated to educational access, inclusion, and excellence in educator preparation.

WHO YOU ARE

You will: Provide Students with Exceptional Learning Experiences

Your work has demonstrated your respect for education and the power that it holds to empower students to achieve their career and life goals. Each term, you will facilitate blended and online classes that utilize technology and data to drive instruction. You will work with a dedicated team of faculty, success coaches/advisors, career advisors, employer relations managers, and data analysts to determine how to personalize the learning experience for your students. In addition to teaching content, you will support students with meeting the goals that they have for themselves and celebrate the lived experiences they bring to the classroom.

You are: Driven to Succeed

You are energetic and passionate about a diverse student body that includes many first-generation students. To be successful teaching in this program, you must be committed to excellence in teaching and learning in Higher Education. The position requires you to be agile, creative, and engaging while offering an unparalleled experience to undergraduate students. Enthusiastic candidates have the belief that all students can be successful students. As an active team member, you believe in a supportive environment and a student-driven and data-informed culture.

You are ready to: Make an Impact

Each and every day, our Undergraduate College changes lives. You want to be a part of that meaningful innovation. You are someone that will always look for creative ways for students to earn success. We know this work is challenging, but we are in it together.

To be successful in this program, you must be committed to excellence in teaching and learning in higher education. The position requires you to be agile, creative, and engaging while offering an innovative, practice based curriculum and an unparalleled experience to undergraduate students. You believe in a supportive environment, a strengths-based approach to learning, and a student-driven culture. As an active team member, working closely with both internal and external partners, you are open to continued learning and self-reflection.

Essential Responsibilities

Teaching and Instruction

• Maintain a teaching load across Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms within undergraduate special education programming.
• 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.
• Provide mentoring, advising, and professional guidance to undergraduate teacher candidates.

Program Leadership and Course Oversight

• Collaborate with the Chair of Undergraduate Special Education to support day-to-day program operations and initiatives.
• Assist 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.
• Support alignment of coursework with Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requirements, accreditation standards, and program outcomes.
• Contribute to program growth initiatives, recruitment efforts, and student retention efforts.

Collaboration and Service

• Work collaboratively 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.

Scholarship and Professional Engagement

• Maintain expertise in current special education research, policy, instructional practices, and educational technology.
• Engage in professional development and scholarly activities aligned with educator preparation and special education practice.
• Contribute to curriculum innovation and continuous program improvement efforts.

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.

NLU UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE CORE COMPETENCIES

• Student-Focused: Make decisions based on what is best for students with the belief that when all students have access, resources and support, they are empowered to achieve success.
• Expect Excellence: Hold high expectations for our students and for the adults to serve them and hold ourselves accountable for achieving excellence.
• Personalized Support: Take a holistic approach to providing individualized support that encourages students to realize their full poten