Assistant Professor (Special Education)
- School of Applied Studies
- Faculty Tenure Track
Position Title: Assistant Professor (Special Education)
Department: Education
Campus Location: Washburn University
Application Deadline: Application review will begin as applications are received and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants can be assured of full consideration if submitted by March 6, 2026.
Position Summary:
Washburn University's Department of Education invites applications for an assistant professor to begin August 2026. This is a 9-month tenure track position.
Each selected candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to pursuing teaching excellence at Washburn University, including a dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage all learners.
About Washburn University:
Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of over 5,500 undergraduate, graduate, and law students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.
Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation. In 2024, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For® program.
Essential Functions:
• Fulfill teaching expectations associated with tenure-track appointment. Teach 12 hours per semester (this could include in-person, hybrid, and/or online, according to departmental need(s) or equivalent full workload as outlined in the faculty handbook. (Note: This is an in-person position. The successful candidate will be expected to be present on the Washburn Campus according to the workload outlined in the faculty handbook and as determined by the Education Department and School of Applied Studies guidelines.)
• Teach and develop undergraduate and graduate classes and seminars as assigned and as dependent upon department needs, which may include graduate and undergraduate special education courses, undergraduate core education courses, or some combination of classes consistent with the candidate’s training and interests.
• Provide academic advising to students, hold on-campus office hours in accordance with department policies, attend meetings, and fulfill service expectations.
• Fulfill service expectations associated with tenure track appointment by engaging in service activities in the department, school, university, and profession.
• Fulfill scholarship expectations associated with a tenure-track appointment.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.
Required Qualifications:
• Doctorate in Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or Related Field (ABD by hire date with doctorate by June 2027 will be considered).
• Master’s in Special Education OR Special Education license/endorsement.
• Minimum of 3 years of teaching experience at the Preschool-12th grade level, including one year teaching experience at the elementary level.
• Minimum of 1 year of teaching experience in special education supporting students with high incidence disabilities.
• Demonstrated dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage all learners.
• Official educational transcripts required at the time of hire.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Demonstrated effective teaching practices for students from varied cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and economic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated effective co-teaching in preschool-12 general education classrooms.
• Demonstrated ability to teach courses in structured literacy.
• Experience teaching Birth-Pre-K students Under Part B Section 619 and/or Part C of IDEA Infant/Toddler Programs.
• Experience teaching in hybrid, in-person, or online environments at a post-secondary institution.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
• Please upload the following items as a pdf to the “additional document” field via the electronic application: a statement of teaching philosophy and inclusivity, a recommendation letter, and evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as official copies of teaching evaluations), if available.
• The cover letter should explain your interest in this position at Washburn University.
• Contact information for three current professional references will be collected as part of the application form. This does not replace the letter requested; however, it can be the same person.
• If you have questions about the position, please contact Dr. Cherry Steffen cherry.steffen@washburn.edu.
Background Check Required
Washburn University is committed to providing an environment for individuals to pursue educational and employment opportunities free from discrimination and/or harassment. The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or marital or parental status.
Washburn University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants for employment. If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please email benefits@washburn.edu or call 785-670-1538 at least five (5) business days in advance of the date you need the requested accommodation.
