Assistant Professor of Special Education - Fall 2027

The University of Southern Maine’s (USM) College of Education seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor with a commitment to establishing school-university partnerships to join its growing Special Education Department in the Fall 2027 semester, beginning August 30, 2027.

This position will maintain responsibility for teaching, scholarship, and service focused on expanding high quality Grow Your Own teacher programs and multi-tiered systems of support across the state of Maine. This is a unique opportunity to join a collaborative faculty working in partnership with the state department of education and local educational agencies to (a) address teacher shortages by recruiting, preparing, and retaining paraprofessionals as certified special educators and (b) support statewide implementation of multi-tiered initiatives, including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and the Pyramid Model.

We seek a candidate with experience in school-university partnership for initial special education teacher certification, Grow Your Own teacher workforce development, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Student Support. Grow Your Own workforce development involves school districts and universities working together to recruit, prepare, and retain teachers from school staff and local community members. The successful candidate will serve as Apprenticeship Navigator for USM’s Registered Teacher Apprenticeship program, provide leadership and professional development with the Maine Department of Education for Registered Teacher Apprenticeship and Maine’s Pyramid Model of multi-tiered services, including membership on Maine’s Pyramid Model State Leadership Team, and teach at least one course each semester. The candidate’s scholarship agenda will focus on these areas.

Uniquely, the initial years of this faculty position will include a scope of work partially funded by a State Professional Development Grant that aims to increase the number of qualified Maine teachers through robust Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs (RTAPs) and improve Maine student outcomes through the effective implementation of the Pyramid Model in learning environments for 3 to 5-year-olds. Therefore, this position will initially assume responsibility for:

- Serving as an RTAP Program Coordinator by leading apprentice recruitment and retention, mentor training and support, and program data collection and dissemination;

- Serving as a Pyramid Model Trainer and Coach by facilitating professional development, family engagement activities, and fidelity data collection;

- Teaching one university-based RTAP course per semester (Fall and Spring);

- Engaging in relevant scholarship; and

- Providing service within the university and broader community.

About our Special Education Program:

The Department of Special Education at USM offers CAEP-accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs to prepare students for certification as special education teachers. The department also offers an innovative graduate program to advance professional educators’ expertise in supporting the needs of both multilingual learners and students with disabilities. All programs are delivered using an online modality to increase accessibility for working professionals.

The College of Education is organized into six academic departments: Counselor Education; Educational Leadership and Adult and Higher Education; Educational and School Psychology; Literacy, Language, and Culture; Special Education, and Teacher Education. The College is deeply rooted in the rich history of USM, which originated in 1878 as the Gorham Normal School for the preparation of teachers with a strong foundation in the norms of pedagogy and curriculum. Today, the College continues and extends this tradition by offering over 30 undergraduate and graduate programs to prepare highly qualified teachers, educational leaders, and mental and behavioral health professionals.

Pay and Benefits:

The targeted starting date for this position is Fall 2027 and will pay a base salary of $65,000, plus benefits. And, additional summer salary of $21,667 for required summer schedule through August 31, 2031 in support of the grant.

When hired, candidates must reside within a 90-minute commutable distance from the USM campuses. This requirement is essential for the ability to participate in supporting and building upon our university culture of "student focused every day" and allows for regular participation in on-campus activities, meetings, and fulfills the responsibilities of the role effectively.

The University of Southern Maine provides highly competitive benefits that include health, dental and vision insurance; life insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; a tuition waiver program for employees and tuition discounts for spouses and eligible dependents; a 403(b)-retirement plan with 10% employer contribution; and more. To learn more, please review our Benefits Information Summary .

About the University:

The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond. USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society. To learn more about USM, visit About Our University .

The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates varied perspectives, enhancing teaching, learning, personal growth, and overall institutional achievement. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence and the enrichment of our community.

We are dedicated to our Service Promise, Student Focused Every Day and seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.

Required Qualifications

- An earned doctorate in special education or related field, or ABD with evidence of completed doctoral degree to be provided at least 30 days prior to start date.

- Understanding and experience with an Integrated Muti-Tiered Systems of Student Support through development of programming, consultation, research, and/or peer-reviewed scholarship

- Experience teaching, consulting, or leading in a PK-12 public school setting.

To apply , please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button or visit USM Careers and submit the following materials:

- Cover Letter

- Curriculum Vitae/Resume

- Statement of Teaching Philosophy

- If invited as a finalist, candidates will be asked to provide the names and contact information of three references.

We will begin reviewing candidate packages immediately.

All application materials must be received by January 10, 2027 .

Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.

Currently, the University of Southern Maine is unable to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator .

Clery Act:

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report (ASR), and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. View the University’s Annual Security Report (PDF) . If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact our Public Safety Office at 207.780.5211.