Assistant Professor in Elementary Education with a Specialization in Special Education

Job Description

Position Summary:

The School of Education at Colorado State University invites applications for a non-tenure-track Assistant Professor position in elementary education with a specialization in special education. This is a 9-month, full-time appointment, effective August 16, 2027.

We seek a creative, collaborative educator to teach special education and elementary education courses in our new Elementary Education licensure program. In addition to teaching, the position includes supervising and advising teacher candidates and working with local partner schools to connect what candidates learn in our courses to their work in classrooms. The successful candidate will bring a strong commitment to diverse learners and humanizing education, be willing to serve in a variety of roles as needed and be dedicated to the mission of the School of Education.

To learn more about the School of Education, please visit https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/soe/about-education/.

Full Consideration Date: please apply by Monday, November 30, 2026, 11:59pm (MT).

Essential Job Duties: 

Teaching:

• Teach undergraduate special education methods and elementary education courses (e.g., literacy methods, reading instruction, language arts), based on program needs and areas of expertise.
• Teach graduate-level courses in the School of Education as needed.
• Supervise undergraduate practicum students and student teachers in field placements.
• Develop new courses in specific areas of expertise as needed.

Service:

• Collaborate with school and local community partners in Elementary Education and/or Special Education.
• Actively serve on the Elementary Education faculty workgroups and on committees that support the unit, school, college, and university, including local and state-level activities.

Advising:

• Advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students.

Research:

• Support Educator Preparation and the School of Education through relevant scholarship.

Supervision:

Position may supervise undergraduate practicum students and student teachers in field placements.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment criminal background check required for all new hires.
• Position may require some travel to local community partner locations.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in special education, elementary education, or related field. Doctorate must be conferred by the start date.
• At least three years of teaching experience at the elementary or middle school level.
• Experience teaching, mentoring, and/or supervising university-level pre-service teachers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and expertise in teaching special education methods courses (e.g., Special education assessment and data, Differentiation, Foundations of elementary special education).
• Teaching experience in undergraduate and/or graduate courses.
• Evidence of culturally sustaining and/or humanizing pedagogical practices.
• Experience or background working with students with diverse learning needs.
• Demonstrated ability to build school-university partnerships and supervise teacher candidates.
• Familiarity with the Colorado READ Act or similar state legislation.

Application Materials:

To apply, please upload one single PDF containing all required application materials listed below. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications for the position.

Salary Range

$65,000 - $70,000

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.