Term Assistant Professor of Special Education

Term Assistant Professor of Special Education, School of Education

At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), we are UNcommon in learning, research, creativity, service, and discovery for our students, staff, faculty, and community members. We create UNcommon opportunities and strive for UNmatched excellence. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work. VCU also has excellent research/grant technical support. In FY23, the SOE brought in over 40 million dollars in external research support.

In 2022, VCU achieved federal Minority Serving Institution (MSI) status and was designated by the U.S. Department of Education as eligible for the federal Title III and Title V MSI and Strengthening Institutions Programs for having met rigorous standards in the service of minority students, low-income students, and student success. We believe different perspectives and areas of expertise enhance possibilities and solutions. This philosophy drives our recruitment process. We welcome applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds who will contribute to an already diverse community of faculty, staff, and students. Candidates need to have demonstrated experiences advancing access, equity, and quality education for underrepresented learners, particularly within low-resource communities. This includes a commitment to addressing diversity, inclusion, social justice, equity, and antiracist practices in education/educational leadership through teaching, service, and mentoring.

The School of Education (SOE) is committed to inclusive excellence in the initial preparation and continuing development of professionals for leadership, teaching, service, and scholarly inquiry in culturally diverse settings across the lifespan. Our mission and values are grounded in and committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and engagement of all students, faculty, and community stakeholders. The SOE has been named the 16th best public School of Education by U.S. News and World Report and has been ranked second education school in Virginia. Candidates need to have demonstrated experiences advancing access, equity, inclusion, and belonging for learners who hold marginalized identities. This includes a demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, social justice, equity, inclusion, and belonging in leadership through teaching, service, and mentoring.

The Department of Counseling and Special Education is located within the VCU SOE and facilitates undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in special education and disability studies. The Special Education programs were ranked 17th of the Best Public Special Education programs and 19th in Overall Special Education Programs in the U.S. News & World Report 2024-2025 Rankings. The department also includes multiple centers, including the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, and the Partnership for People with Disabilities, a University Center for Excellence in Disabilities Education, Research, and Service.

About the Position

The Department of Counseling and Special Education in the School of Education at VCU invites applications for a 12-month term assistant professor (non-tenure track) faculty member in the special education programs who embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. At VCU, we believe different perspectives and expertise enhance possibilities and solutions. This philosophy drives our recruitment process, so we welcome applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds who will contribute to an already diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.  

The special education programs in the VCU School of Education prepare undergraduate and graduate students with knowledge in evidence-based practice and inclusive education, skills in intervention research leading to effective evidence-based strategies, and dispositions in serving young children and students with or without disabilities from diverse communities through rigorous programs centered on research and real-world contexts.  

Ideal candidates are committed to teaching excellence, contributing to programs, department, school, and university governance, and serving and leading in the special education profession. This faculty member will join a productive and collegial group committed to cultivating a culturally diverse student body and faculty and supporting diversity within the community. We seek a candidate with specialization in one or more of the following special education areas:
●Postsecondary transitions
●Math education and/or
●Positive behavior support.

Position Responsibilities 

Primary duties will be face-to-face and online teaching in the undergraduate and graduate special education programs. We encourage applicants experienced with observing and supervising practicum and student teachers, coordinating programs, and familiarity with program accreditation to apply. Applicants with teaching and professional work experience involving urban education and commitment to advancing access, equity, and equality education for diverse learners are encouraged to apply. Applicants from historically marginalized and underrepresented minority populations experiencing poverty and/or the educators who serve these populations are also encouraged to apply. The candidate will be expected to teach a 4-4-2 teaching load (80% effort) with service and administrative responsibilities (20% effort) related to supporting department initiatives. 

Teaching (80%)
●Four classes per semester in Fall and Spring and two courses in the Summer.
●Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in the special education programs.
●Advise graduate and doctoral students in the special education programs.

Service (20%)
●Potential program coordination of special education programs.
●Serve on program, department, school, and University-wide committees.
●Service to national or international associations and the community is also valued.

Research (0%)
●Term faculty are not required to but may conduct research, publish, and secure grants individually or collaboratively.
●All faculty, including term faculty, are expected to inform their teaching with updated literature from research.
●Workload may be negotiated annually with the department chair; however, this position focuses on teaching, advising, and service.

Required Qualifications:
●An earned doctorate in special education or closely related field; 
●Experience working as a special education teacher within PK-12 or other appropriate settings;
●Experience teaching university courses relating to special educator preparation; 
●Experience observing and supervising practicum students and student teachers; 
●Commitment to serving on thesis/dissertation committees and culturally responsive mentoring undergraduate and graduate students within urban settings with children, youth, and staff in our schools who have been historically marginalized; and
●Teaching practice in advancing access, equity, and quality education for learners from historically marginalized and underrepresented minority populations experiencing poverty and/or the educators who serve them;
●Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse and inclusive faculty, staff, and student environment and commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU;
●Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a team of professionals; and
●Ability to regularly interact in person with students and colleagues.

Preferred Qualifications
●Experience teaching in online course modalities 
●Evidence or potential to coordinate and grow programs at the undergraduate level;
●Expertise in postsecondary transitions, math education, and/or positive behavior support;
●Evidence of or potential for successful teaching at the doctoral level
●Experience advising graduate and doctoral students, and 
●Evidence of leadership roles in professional special education organizations.
●Experience with or potential for developing programs for interdisciplinary and/or international settings.

Application Process:
To be considered for this position, application materials must be submitted online through the VCU Talent@VCU Recruitment application process (https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home?c=vcu) and must include all of the following documents:
●Cover letter of application addressing the qualifications;
●Curriculum vitae
●Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, VCU is committed to organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion - an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (up to 500 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences and academic and professional activities will impact your contributions to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion.

Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research, and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching, and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience

Specific questions regarding this position should be directed to the search chair, Serra De Arment, via email at dearmentst@vcu.edu.

Completed applications received by February 1, 2025, will be assured full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100
Tenure: Ineligible
Rank: Assistant Professor
Months: 12
Department: SOE, Counseling and Special Education

Salary: $80, 000 - $90.000

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Serra De Arment
Contact Email: dearmentst@vcu.edu
Contact Phone: 

Salary : $80 - $90