Associate Professor of Teacher Education

Position Summary:
The Department of Teacher Education at Fort Lewis College invites applications for a tenure-track Associate Professor, specializing in Special Education, to begin Fall Term 2027. The Teacher Education Department offers licensure programs in early childhood, elementary, several secondary and K-12 teaching areas, and five Master’s degree programs.
We seek an experienced Special Education scholar, educator, and academic leader who will contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching, scholarship, program leadership, and service. We seek a Special Education specialist who can teach graduate and undergraduate courses and successfully coordinate the Special Education graduate program, which includes a Master of Arts in Education, a Special Education endorsement program, and an alternative pathway in Special Education.
Job Description:
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
A teaching load of 12 credits per semester with a 3-credit research release within the academic year. Teaching load will include teaching education courses, mentoring special education candidates, and program coordination. Additional duties include academic advising, scholarship, and service to the college and department, and contribution to accreditation and reauthorization processes.
Responsive, respectful, and effective teaching of students from a range of identities
Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities
Maintain knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508
Produce and remediate digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards
Perform other duties as assigned
Normal full-time teaching load is 15 credit hours per term, including 12 credits of assigned courses and 3 credits of reassigned time for service. Tenured/Tenured Track Faculty also receive a three-credit release per year to support their scholarship/research.
Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:
Doctorate (Ph.D or Ed.D) in Special Education or closely related field
A minimum of three years of experience as a Special Education Teacher in K-12 schools
Appointment at the Associate Professor rank requires an advanced degree appropriate to the field, six years of successful teaching experience in higher education, and substantial evidence of professional development, consistent with the Fort Lewis College Faculty Handbook.
An active scholarly agenda and demonstrated ability to fulfill teaching, scholarship, and service responsibilities at the Associate Professor level.
Demonstrated commitment to inclusive instruction, student success, and collaborative academic work
An active research agenda in Special Education or Special Education/Teacher Education
Preferred Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:
Undergraduate and/or graduate level higher education teaching and research
Experience with online, hybrid and/or remote instruction
Experience with academic program coordination
Experience with and ability to manage state licensure requirements and processes, both traditional and alternative
Experience with grant development and management
Development of local and regional partnerships in rural areas
Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility:
This position reports to the Chair of the Teacher Education Department
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
Ability to work in a confined area.
Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
Light to moderate lifting is required
Travel:
Less than 5% is expected for this position
FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
· Exempt
· Full-Time 1.0 FTE
· Permanent
· 9 Month Position.
· Typical Work hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Compensation
Salary is $70,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package.
Application Process
A complete application packet includes:
Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position
CV
Names and contact information for three current, professional references
Application materials received by 11:59 PM on November 29, 2026, will receive full consideration.
The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts
and pass a background check.
About Fort Lewis College:
On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado’s premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC’s academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango
Notice to Prospective Employees:
The Fort Lewis College is required by the Clery Act of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report. The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about:
Fort Lewis College's alcohol and other drug policy
Sexual assault policy
Campus security policies
Campus/community resources
The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment
Where to find registered sex offender informatio