ASSISTANT PROFESSOR of EDUCATION – SPECIAL EDUCATION

 

The Sharon Walker School of Education at Morningside University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Special Education to provide instruction and support for the special education initial licensure and endorsement undergraduate and graduate programs across the unit.

The Sharon Walker School of Education focuses exclusively on preparing future educators and providing advanced study for current educators, serving approximately 1,500 students each year across undergraduate, adult, and graduate programs both on campus and online. The School offers traditional initial licensure programs for undergraduate students in elementary and secondary education, as well as 12 MAT programs, including 3 initial licensure degree programs, and 13 advanced practice endorsements. In addition, Morningside University is one of two institutions in the state of Iowa approved to offer initial licensure through the Iowa Teacher Intern program for secondary education and the only approved Teacher Intern program for special education in the state. Enrollments are thriving in these accelerated adult and alternative route programs.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in launching the new undergraduate major, K-12 Special Education that will prepare students to teach children with mild and moderate disabilities, as well as students with significant disabilities, such as behavior or emotional disorders, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and autism.

This is a full time, tenure track position located on campus, with an annual teaching load of 24 credits assigned across the fall, spring, and/or summer terms as appropriate.  The anticipated start date is August 11, 2025.

Responsibilities:

• Teach primarily special education undergraduate and graduate courses, assist with the development of new programs for the unit, and deliver instruction both face-to-face and online.
• Advise and mentor students, participate in service to the unit and university, and engage in professional development.
• Provide content oversight for special education curriculum and assessment in the unit.
• Serve as an academic coordinator (course author and mentor) for select online graduate level special education courses.
• Demonstrate the qualities of an effective educator, a commitment to implementing high quality education programs that meet and exceed state standards, and an enthusiastic dedication to teacher preparation.
• Teaching assignments will primarily include special education courses designed to meet the requirements for Iowa Special Education Instructional Strategist I and II, including mild/moderate methods, language development and communication disorders, methods of BD/LD or ID, and/ assessment and applied behavior analysis.
• Teach a May Term course once every three years.

Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate in special education, curriculum and instruction, education, or closely related field. (ABD will be considered if completion is expected within one year.)
• Special education licensure and K-12 teaching experience. Preference given to candidates with expertise and experience teaching children with significant disabilities.
• Outstanding educational and instructional technology skills, experience using learning management systems, electronic portfolio systems, and remote learning platforms.
• Demonstrated experience and/or commitment to creating inclusive learning environments and curricula for a diverse student body, including awareness of current practices that support underrepresented populations.
• Additional licensure/endorsements in literacy, ESL, talented and gifted, or educational administration, preferred.
• Prior experience in online teaching, adult education, and/or graduate programs, preferred.
• Prior teaching experience in higher education teacher preparation programs, preferred.

About Morningside:

Morningside is a private university located in Sioux City, Iowa, that serves approximately 2,300 students from almost all 50 states and more than 30 countries. It was established in 1894 by The United Methodist Church, an affiliation it continues to maintain, and Dr. Albert Mosley serves as its 13th president. The main campus comprises 69 acres nestled in a serene, park-like setting in the heart of Iowa’s fourth largest city. Lags Farm and Sioux Gateway Airport are both nearby extensions of the campus that serve the School of Agriculture and Aviation.

Morningside’s largest undergraduate programs are education, nursing, and business, and the Sharon Walker School of Education and Nylen School of Nursing both offer well-established online post-baccalaureate and graduate program options for nontraditional and graduate students. A strong commitment to experiential learning has enabled Morningside University to maintain a remarkable 99% job and graduate school placement rate for its undergraduate graduates over the past decade.

Morningside University is home to the Mustangs Athletic Department, which fields 28 varsity sports and is a proud member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Residential undergraduate students may also enjoy more than 50 student-led clubs and organizations or choose to get involved with the School of Visual and Performing Arts regardless of their major.

Learn more about Morningside University at morningside.edu

Screening for the position will begin immediately and continue until filled. Applications received by November 30, 2024, will receive full consideration.  Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship. Successful completion of a background check and education verification are required. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, religion, creed, race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, national origin, or other characteristics protected by state and federal law. Apply on-line only by submitting an email to facultysearch@morningside.edu entering “Special Education Faculty Search” in the subject line and attaching PDF or Microsoft Word files for the following documents: cover letter, current curriculum vitae, 1-page statement of teaching philosophy, and list of five references (name, phone number, and email). Questions about the position may be addressed to Dr. Rochelle Maynard, Department Head of the Sharon Walker School of Education (712-274-5287 or maynardr@morningside.edu).