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 potential in college and beyond.
• Data-Driven, Collaborative Environment: Work together as a unified team, utilizing real-time data and technology to adapt to student needs.
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Remain agile and open to changes and new ideas-incorporating data as well as student, faculty and administration voice-to ensure that we are continuously learning, improving, and innovating in all aspects of the student experience.

NLU Inclusion Statement:

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued.  We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.

Compensation and Benefits

At National Louis University, we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Opportunities. Additional information regarding full-time faculty benefits can be found here.

NLU Faculty salaries are based on rank within each college.  The ranges for each rank for the Undergraduate College are listed below:

2026 UGC 10-Month Faculty Salary Ranges

Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.  Offers are based on multiple factors permitted by law, including but not limited to: budgetary considerations, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, current/previous faculty rank, market considerations, tenure and standing with the university (applicable to current employees), and internal equity.

Application Instructions

Please include the following with your application:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Teaching Philosophy
• Transcripts (Official or Unofficial)

Optional Additional Attachments:

• Sample Syllabus
• Additional Licenses/Certifications
• Course Evaluations
• Letters of Recommendation

Please note: Upon hire, official transcripts are required and must be sent from the institution(s) directly to the HR Department