"Assistant Professor of Inclusive Education"

Job Details

Posting Number: 0602989

Recruitment Type: Open to All Applicants

Position Title: Assistant Professor of Inclusive Education

Position Type: Faculty

Benefits Status: Benefits Eligible

FLSA: Exempt

Hiring Range: $65,000-$70,000 per year + benefits package.

Location: Tacoma, WA 98447

Department: Education

Posting Date: 08/15/2025

Closing Date: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Work Schedule: Full-time, tenure track Assistant Professor position available September 1, 2026. Academic year is September to May. Additional opportunities for summer salary. Work schedule will vary by term and course. Courses may be offered during regular business hours (8am-5pm Monday thru Friday), in evenings, and occasionally on weekends. Classes begin on September 8, 2026. New Faculty Orientation will take place in late August.

General Description: The School of Education at Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, WA) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of assistant professor. The successful candidate will have significant understanding and experience in inclusive education, universal design for learning, and culturally-sustaining pedagogy. Specialties in literacy, humanities, or mathematics instruction, as well as curriculum & instruction are particularly welcomed. The person who is hired into this position will teach the equivalent of 24 credit hours per academic year with the opportunity for summer teaching in a variety of our graduate, alternative routes, and/or endorsement programs. The School of Education at Pacific Lutheran University offers programs leading to teacher or administrator certification and a variety of programs and professional development offerings for already certified individuals. We offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in education, in addition to our Principalship and doctoral programs. We follow a set of Guiding Principles connected to the values and mission of PLU. We are committed to developing teachers who enact socially just, equity-focused instruction, embrace collaboration, implement culturally relevant pedagogy, and respect the complexity of teaching. The School of Education is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Teach the equivalent of 24 credit hours per academic year.
• Participate in School of Education and university-wide meetings and curriculum discussions.
• Provide service to the school, university, and community through time & effort, work and outreach.
• Pursue a robust scholarly agenda.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Substantial background in teaching diverse groups of students.
• Knowledge of effective teaching and learning strategies.
• Substantial written and oral communication skills.
• A commitment to high quality teaching in a private, liberal arts based university.
• A commitment to working collaboratively with a diverse faculty and student body.
• A commitment to continued growth and professional development.
• Deep knowledge of all forms of inclusion in K-12 (inclusive education, universal design, culturally-sustaining pedagogy, etc.).

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field of teacher Education, Special Education and/or Curriculum and Instruction, or a related area must be in hand by September 1, 2026.
• Teaching experience in K-12 schools.
• Applicant must be legally eligible to work in the United States on hire date AND legally authorized to work in the United States for Pacific Lutheran University without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate in Education, Special Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or related area at the start of the appointment.
• Teaching experience in higher education teacher preparation.
• Knowledge of K-12 teaching standards for Washington State.
• Academic knowledge or credentials in inclusive education, including special education.
• Ability to articulate a clear scholarly agenda that is appropriate to the position.

Work Conditions: Classroom teaching, potential fieldwork or supervision in local schools.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Applicants should submit: Cover letter; Curriculum vitae; List of three references; Statement of teaching philosophy, including how your teaching, research, and/or service contribute to the School of Education’s Guiding Principles (linked above). For questions or more information, please contact John Wright at jwright@plu.edu.