Job description
Position Summary:
The University of Memphis’ College of Education, Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership, is seeking an innovative and collaborative colleague for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Special Education position. The role is based at the University’s main campus in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Special Education program is committed to fostering a supportive and professional environment. The successful candidate’s teaching, service, and scholarship should reflect a strong commitment to and experience with:
- Classroom assessments and student achievement data to inform instruction.
- High-leverage practice integration within course content.
- Professional development.
- Research/scholarship in the field of special education.
- Special education methods and theoretical frameworks.
- Technology integration in teaching and professional development
The start date for this position is August 17, 2026. Please note that the department is not currently offering sponsorship.
Key Responsibilities
The tenure-track Special Education faculty role encompasses instruction, research, and service, with specific expectations including:
- Clinical Supervision: Supervise clinical residency and related field experiences for both undergraduate and graduate teacher candidates.
- Community Engagement: Promote a vibrant professional community for current, prospective, and former students through workshops, symposiums, and professional development opportunities.
- Instruction: Teach undergraduate and/or graduate Special Education courses across multiple modalities (in-person, hybrid, online).
- Outreach & Partnerships: Collaborate with local PK-12 school systems to prepare future teachers and expand community outreach efforts.
- Research: Implement a significant, ongoing program of focused scholarly research and publications.
- Service & Leadership: Provide service and leadership to the department, college, university, and relevant state, regional, and national professional organizations.
Minimum Qualifications:
Required Qualifications
- Terminal Degree: A Doctoral degree in Special Education or a relevant, closely related discipline. The degree must be successfully conferred no later than August 1, 2026.
- Scholarship: Clear evidence of an active, emerging, or established research agenda with potential for significant scholarly contribution.
- PK-12 Expertise: Demonstrated excellence and a minimum of three years of experience teaching Special Education in PK-12 schools.
Desired Qualifications
- Demonstrated skill in program coordination, including student recruitment and program marketing.
- Established proficiency in outreach and partnership-building across business, industry, and/or PK-12 settings.
- Exhibited excellence in college-level teaching.
- Experienced teaching and/or professional development in public schools.
- Maintained a record of scholarly publications and/or presentations.
- Met criteria for Full Member Graduate Faculty status.
- Provided proof of, or potential for, successful teacher candidate supervision, related clinical experiences knowledge, and familiarity with various teacher evaluation systems.
- Succeeded in promoting and managing sustained online learning communities.
Special Conditions:
About Our Programs & Community
Our Special Education graduate programs are dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders in the field. We focus on rigorous preparation for interventionists and comprehensive teachers, equipping them with advanced clinical skills, and fostering the development of researcher-scholars who will shape policy and practice.
Collaborative Innovation in Teacher Preparation
At the undergraduate level, we sustain vital collaborative efforts with the Early Childhood and Elementary programs. Together, we offer Integrated Early Childhood and Teaching All Learners dual licensure degrees. These innovative programs are specifically designed to prepare highly effective teachers with the expertise to seamlessly serve in both Elementary and
Special Education classrooms.
Our core mission is to equip future educators with the specialized knowledge and skills to help every student reach their full potential, ensuring fair and appropriate learning environments for all.
The Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership offers pathways to a range of careers, from teachers and behavior technicians to instructional designers and non-profit organizers. We equip our students with the skills for a wide array of high-demand roles. Our strong ties with university lab schools also provide excellent opportunities for collaborative research and real-world practice.
The University of Memphis is a leading “research-extensive” institution located in a vibrant metropolitan hub of over 1.3 million people. The city itself offers an exceptional quality of life with a low cost of living, a dynamic cultural scene, and incredible opportunities to engage with global powerhouses like FedEx, AutoZone, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, along with numerous local school districts. These connections provide a unique environment for both professional and personal growth.
