Assistant Director & Assistant Teaching Professor (Special Education)

ABOUT SIMMONS

Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston’s only women’s undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all.

You’re joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. You’ll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace.

As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.

ABOUT THE SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

The Special Education department is part of The Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences. The programs in special education are all off site as part of the partnership between Simmons and The New England Center for Children (Southboro and the UAE). The program options include:

• MSEd Autism Specialization (with licensure)
• Post Masters (with licensure)
• MSEd (UAE non-licensure)
• Post-Master’s Qualified Behavior Analysis Eligibility Program.

The goal of these programs is to prepare graduate students to teach learners with special needs using evidence-based practices with an emphasis on culturally responsive inclusive strategies. Instructors in this program are experts in their discipline and have on the ground experience in the field of education.

JOB SUMMARY

The Special Education Department in the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Simmons University invites applications for an Assistant Director and Assistant Teaching Professor beginning August 2026. We are particularly interested in a colleague who holds an advanced degree in education, preferably, special education with administrative experience. The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of special education and commitments to culturally responsive teaching through integrative learning aimed at the professional preparation of special education educators.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Director supports the academic, administrative, and operational functions of the graduate programs, with a particular focus on teaching, student support, recruitment, and program coordination. This role works closely with the Department Chair, faculty, students, and external partners to ensure high-quality programming and a positive student experience. The responsibilities will include:

• Academic Instruction & Mentorship: Teach four courses annually and provide clinical supervision for five practicum students, including conducting observations and delivering comprehensive formative and summative evaluations.
• Enrollment & Lifecycle Management: Lead recruitment and admissions efforts through event presentations and proactive outreach, while overseeing the full student onboarding process and academic records (registration, transfers, and accommodations).
• Program Administration & Faculty Support: Manage program quality by updating course catalogs and faculty manuals, providing orientation for new hires, and designing professional development opportunities for licensed educators.
• Strategic Leadership & Engagement: Serve as a departmental representative and proxy for the Chair, while coordinating high-impact events such as research poster sessions and alumni/partner networking initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of MSEd/ M.Ed
• Preferred Ph.D. EdD in Education or related discipline
• Demonstrated record of excellence in teaching at the university level
• Minimum two years of supervisory experience

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

The Special Education Department is housed in The Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences. As a pioneering Black woman journalist, Gwen Ifill broke through barriers of prejudice and stands as a model of professional excellence and a purposeful life. The Ifill School aims to carry on that legacy for the next generations. To that end, we are a community of educators and learners guided by intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and generosity of spirit. We derive strength from our differences and pursue civic engagement through humanistic inquiry that values language, lived experience, artistic expression, and imagination. We give voice to our stories, past and present, individual and global, told and untold, to influence a future whose questions have yet to be asked. Our students view society through the multi-faceted lenses of language, narrative, art, music, film and contemporary media.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We will begin reviewing applications on April 15, 2026

Required Application Materials:

To apply, submit the following materials online at jobs.simmons.edu:

• Letter describing your interest in the position and your teaching experience and philosophy
• Writing sample
• CV

Names of references will be requested for short-listed candidates.

Please address any questions to [email protected]

Salary range is $63,000 - $71,000

In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws effective October 29, 2025, Simmons University is committed to pay equity, transparency and clear communication throughout the hiring process.

This is benefits eligible position.

Actual compensation will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills, equity, and external market benchmarks that help guide compensation decisions. Our compensation philosophy is centered around a comprehensive package that includes pay, health benefits, and retirement savings offerings that can be seen here, as well as work-life balance initiatives such as flexible hours and remote work opportunities. We are committed to offering a package that empowers individuals to thrive in their roles, contribute meaningfully, and lead with confidence.

Instructions to Applicants : Please upload all applicable application materials (e.g. resume/cv, cover letter, writing sample, teaching philosophy, etc.) in the Application Materials box on page 2 ("My Experience") of this application. Documents can be uploaded individually or as a combined document (e.g. PDF).

Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual’s community experience. As a university committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all underrepresented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.