"Inclusive Education/Special Education Professor of the Practice"

Inclusive Education/Special Education Professor of the Practice

Location: University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN

Open Date: Nov 19, 2025

Deadline: Dec 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description:The Institute for Education Initiatives (IEI) at the University of Notre Dame invites applications for an open-rank (Assistant, Associate, or Full) non-tenure track faculty position specializing in inclusive and/or special education. This is a full-time, 12 month appointment with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.

The IEI is Notre Dame's commitment to advancing K-12 education through research, formation programs, and direct service to schools-particularly Catholic schools-and families. Within the IEI, this faculty member will hold the appropriate rank as a professor of the practice, a designation that enables significant contributions to the academic life of undergraduate and graduate students through courses on inclusive/special education policy and practice, scholarly contributions to the field more broadly, and service to the Institute as well as various programs that advocate for diverse learners in schools and society.

As part of the IEI, this position will be affiliated with the Alliance for Catholic Education's (ACE) Program for Inclusive Education (PIE), the Education, Schooling and Society (ESS) undergraduate minor/supplementary major, and likely the ACE Teaching Fellows M.Ed. and/or Mary Ann Remick Leadership M.A. PIE is a graduate licensure program designed to form educators in the knowledge, skills and dispositions to effectively lead inclusion efforts in Catholic schools. Other PIE initiatives include professional learning opportunities to prepare teachers and leaders to more effectively advocate for and implement inclusive practices and policies. ESS is the Institute's commitment to undergraduate education helping students explore and apply diverse perspectives to pressing questions in education defined broadly. Based on the candidate's expertise and professional experience, additional opportunities may exist within either the M.Ed. program-a two-year, pre-service, alternative certification and formation program for teachers in Catholic schools-and the M.A. program-a 25-month formation program for aspiring Catholic school principals.

Through these affiliations, this faculty member will have the opportunity to contribute to the Institute's mission of improving the education of all youth, with particular attention to the distinct needs and gifts of diverse learners. Importantly, this faculty member will help shape the vision and practice of inclusive education across the Institute which seeks to play an even greater role in advancing research and practice in inclusive education contexts. The associated research responsibilities will drive a collaborative agenda of inquiry and engage interdisciplinary perspectives around special education within the IEI as the Institute invests even more in elevating its research impact through the recently formed Center for Educational Research and Action.

Major Responsibilities

1. Teaching (40%)

   The position would include an annual four-course teaching load likely aligning with the following, but based on the needs of programs and the faculty member's expertise:

   • Two graduate courses for the Program for Inclusive Education (PIE)
   • One undergraduate course for the Education, Schooling, and Society minor and supplemental major
   • One graduate course for the M.Ed. and/or M.A program
2. Research and Scholarship (30%)
   • Developing an on-going research program that addresses significant issues and questions in inclusive and special education, teacher education, or related areas
   • Galvanizing interdisciplinary collaborations across the Institute to address critical questions in the field
   • Disseminating scholarship and resources at professional conferences and reputable scholarly and practitioner-oriented outlets
   • When applicable, securing external funding for research projects
   • Contributing to the scholarly and intellectual life of the Institute more broadly.
3. Service (30%)

   The successful candidate will engage in meaningful service to the Institute and University through key activities such as:

   • Contributing to a core team of faculty and staff to advance collective work within the Institute focused on inclusive education including school partnerships and professional development
   • Partnering with the units in the Institute for Educational Initiatives and other University departments/colleague to support their design and implementation of programming focused on topics of inclusive education
   • Serving on Institute and/or University committees
   • Engaging in relevant professional organizations

Qualifications:

Competitive applicants will possess a disciplinary foundation and established practice and scholarship in inclusive and/or special education or a closely related field. Priority consideration will be given to candidates demonstrating experience in the following areas: (a) design and implementation of effective supports for students with diverse learning needs (b) K-12 pedagogical experience in marginalized contexts, and (c) expertise in educator formation. Applicants must possess an earned advanced degree (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D.) or demonstrate a high probability of completion by July 1, 2026.

To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/177887

This appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Applicants will be asked to identify all felony convictions and/or pending felony charges. Felony convictions do not automatically bar an individual from employment. Each case will be examined separately to determine the appropriateness of employment in the particular position. Failure to be forthcoming or dishonesty with respect to felony disclosures can result in the disqualification of a candidate. The full procedure can be viewed at https://facultyhandbook.nd.edu/?id=link-73597.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.