Classroom Assistant

Department
 

Lab School FLP Staff - ESH

About the Department
 

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.
No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.
Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, LGBTQ+ identified candidates, candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to a deepening diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Summary
 

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools runs an Extended Day program supporting 700+ students per year during the before (Early Day) and after school (Late Day) hours. The Extended Day programs provide opportunities for children to connect with friends, discover and develop interests, and relax while their families need additional care before and after the school day. Extended Day programs are designed to provide students with constructive, intentional, and meaningful opportunities to engage socially with one another, creatively with materials and concepts, and civically in the life of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and community. Extended Day programs bring all of this to life within the familiar and enriching school environment onsite at the Laboratory Schools.
We are searching for Family Life Programs (FLP) Classroom Assistants to work with our Nursery 3 classrooms at our Early Childhood campus. This position is designed to provide a consistent instructor from the daytime experience to Late Day for our youngest learners at the Laboratory Schools. The FLP Classroom Assistant begins their day in the late morning and remains with the students through the end of the Late Day program. A successful FLP Classroom Assistant is experienced in working with nursery/preschool-aged children (ages 2-5 years) and is excited to work with the youngest learners at Lab Schools. They are experienced with putting children to rest, supporting bathroom toileting, and patiently modeling social skills with peers. They will be comfortable communicating with families in person and via email, and collaborating with experienced daytime teachers. The day consists of managing snacktime, naptime, going outside, designing and facilitating developmentally-appropriate and fun activities - including arts and crafts, music, science, games - as well as plenty of time for constructive imaginative play.

Responsibilities

​Responsibilities:

• Build relationships and consistency with the students and families

• Develop and facilitate age-appropriate and play-based activities

• Participate in training, professional development, and goals and feedback sessions

• Create and write group newsletters and updates for families

• Co-teach with another FLP Classroom Assistant

• Collaborate with a team of 1-2 additional staff members

• May collaborate with teachers through classroom observation and curriculum discussions

• Applies skills to provide assistance and instructional support to teachers, such as individual instruction, counseling and other support services

• Performs other related work as needed

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma

• Some early childhood education or related courses

Experience:

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Working with nursery-aged children in a daycare, camp, or school setting

Preferred Competencies

• Work with children in a progressive learning and cultural environment

• Receptive to feedback and able to make adjustments when necessary

• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with others

• Strong customer service skills, as well as a friendly and professional demeanor

• Comfort working with mobile technology 

• Must be comfortable independently supervising groups of children

Working Conditions

• Move in and around the classroom and building to interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community

• Support young children through developmental growth stages including toileting, napping, eating and dressing with clothing

• Communicate effectively and professionally with families and daytime faculty

• Facilitate programs inside and outside, even in winter months

• Escort children from one classroom to another, in and out of buildings during arrival and dismissal (where required), and in an emergency situation. This may include climbing stairs of up to 2 stories, where appropriate, with younger children

• The hours for this position are Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the academic year

• This is a benefits eligible position with retirement options, PTO, health insurance and much more

• This role will switch to approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. teaching position during summer months

• The location for this position is at the Earl Shapiro Hall campus, 5800 S. Stony Island

Application Documents:

• Resume (Required)

• Cover Letter (Required)

• Professional References (3) (Required)

 

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Academic Affairs

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

35

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.