Lecturer – Special Education

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Position Title:

Lecturer - Special Education - College of Education and Professional Studies

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Lecturer

Job Duties:

Attention:

The Department of Special Education in the College of Education and Professional Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a 9-month renewable instructional academic staff member in the area of special education beginning August 2026. This full-time position is responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in the Special Education program, providing service, and/or performing comparable duties to those of teaching faculty members.

 Job Details:

The successful candidate will be able to teach a variety of special education courses within the Special Education Department. The candidate will also be expected to participate in service activities, provide academic advising to students, and supervise pre-student teaching and student teaching field experiences. All instructional academic staff at UW-Whitewater may be required to teach online and hybrid classes, evening and weekend classes, and provide service to the university and the local community in a variety of modalities, including committee work, leading Learning Communities, mentoring students, and providing professional development for colleagues, schools, and community groups. Experience working with diverse populations and a commitment to working with non-traditional students are essential for this position.

Responsibilities:

Full-time teaching responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate special education courses, collaborating on curricular updates, and coordinating/supervising fieldwork and student teaching experiences. Service responsibilities include committee and professional service relevant to the candidate’s expertise and interest and serving as academic advisor/mentor to students. Instructional academic staff at UW-W may be required to teach online and a hybrid format or courses in the evenings or on weekends. 

Department Information:

The Special Education Department is the University of Wisconsin System's 2024 Regents Teaching Excellence Programs Award recipient dedicated to teaching and supporting current and future education professionals. The department offers numerous programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  At the undergraduate level, the department offers a traditional on-campus licensure option, a fully online licensure option, and a minor:  Special Education Bachelor Degree Programs Wisconsin | Major.  In addition, the department offers four emphasis areas for special education master's degrees (licensure and non-licensure) and eight specialist certificates at the graduate level. All are fully online: MSE in Special Education | UW-Whitewater Online. 

College Information:

The College of Education and Professional Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is committed to developing professionals who are lifelong learners, creators of knowledge, and leaders of character and integrity. Responding to the changing needs within our global society, our programs prepare professionals to actively engage in an open democratic society inclusive of diverse populations. As a premier center for global learning, the College's focus on depth of knowledge and academic excellence provides our students with the requisites to be leaders dedicated to change in their communities.

The College of Education and Professional Studies prepares Wisconsin's largest number of teachers among 33 institutions. More than 2,200 students are enrolled in seven departments: Communication Sciences and Disorders; Counselor Education; Curriculum and Instruction; Educational Foundations; Kinesiology; Leadership, Military Science and Aerospace Studies; and Special Education.

Within the College, there are nearly 100 faculty and academic staff members, of which 90% have earned doctorates. In addition to teaching and research obligations, faculty and staff are actively involved in professional and specialty organizations. Many hold regional, state, national, and international offices and serve on professional committees and advisory boards.

The administrative offices and several departments of the College of Education and Professional Studies are located in Winther Hall, named after the College's first dean, Adolph I. Winther. The Communication Sciences & Disorders Department is in the Roseman Building, and the Kinesiology Department is in the Williams Center.

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Facilitates classroom, online and/or laboratory instruction for one or more courses, including assessment of student performance

• Develops instructional design and curriculum relevant to a course of instruction

• Serves as an initial point of contact for students as it relates to specific course or series content and expectations

Department:

Special Education

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting 9-month salary commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

Required Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in special education, or a related field.

• Minimum of three years of K-12 teaching experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• College-level teaching experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in university training and professional development, and a commitment to following applicable safety rules and regulations

Education:

A master’s degree in special education, or a related field

How to Apply:

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents. If submitting more than 5 application materials, you'll need to combine files prior to uploading and label with an appropriate name.

• Cover letter/letter of interest

• Statement of teaching philosophy

• Curriculum Vita

• Names and contact information for three professional references (letters of recommendation may be solicited at a later time)

• Copies of unofficial graduate transcripts (Official transcripts will be required if offered the position)

Contact Information:

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or [email protected].

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Dr. Naomi Rahn, Ph.D.

Special Education Department

[email protected]

262-472-5808

To Ensure Consideration:

Applications received by March 15th, 2026, are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.   

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.  

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin (https://www.wisconsin.edu). 
 
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a). 
 
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked. 
 
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills. 
 
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see  Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

UW IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.