Laboratory Schools: Head Teacher, Early Childhood

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Chicago, ILLINOIS
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Department
 

Lab School Nursery/Kindergarten Faculty


About the Department

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools provides one of the world's most outstanding pre-collegiate educational experiences. Because Lab is part of the University of Chicago, the importance of intellectual life—of thought and exploration—infuses all aspects of our curriculum and students in every grade benefit from outstanding UChicago academicians and access to unmatched resources. John Dewey—one of the great minds in education—established the Schools in 1896 as a place to explore and implement his theories on childhood education. Today’s students still benefit from his vision, and today’s Lab faculty are recognized as experienced leaders in their field. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are affiliated with the University, half live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northern Indiana. Lab’s student body reflects the diversity that is deeply valued by the Schools and its community; approximately half of our 2,000 students are people of color and families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. The Laboratory Schools seek the finest employees—people who wish to inspire a love of learning in our students and join a vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training, in many different disciplines. At Lab, we value learning experientially, exhibiting kindness, and honoring diversity. We seek employees who share a similar commitment to these values. Lab people are engaged and excited by our mission of igniting and nurturing an enduring spirit of scholarship, curiosity, creativity, and confidence in the youngest members of the University of Chicago’s academic community.

Job Information
 

Job Summary: 

Nursery - 2nd grade homeroom teachers receive direction and support from the N-Second Grade Principal and Administrative team. Duties include instructing and supervising a group of Early Childhood students and providing instruction in all subjects except physical education, music, and art.   Create a nurturing, challenging, and supportive classroom environment that fosters mutual respect and age-appropriate levels of independence. Monitor the performance of students and communicate concerns with administrators, other teachers and learning/counseling faculty, and parents. Interact with parents and other members of the faculty and administration on a daily basis.

 

Full-time teachers are expected to work a 40-hour week and the required number of days as stipulated in the Faculty Association contract. All teachers are expected to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

 Responsibilities:

  • Build deep relationships with students, families, and staff to foster a community.
  • Maintain strong lines of communication with families about student progress, and go above and beyond to support and collaborate closely with teammates in the united pursuit of Lab’s mission.
  • Emanate optimism, share feedback to solve problems, reflect on how actions impact others and take ownership over creating a culture of kindness, respect, and excitement about learning. 
  • Build a nurturing, challenging, and supportive classroom environment that fosters mutual respect, age-appropriate levels of independence, a climate that supports learning and provides differentiated instruction.  
  • Provide instruction in math, reading, writing, science, computational thinking and social-emotional learning.
  • Develop curriculum to support play, exploration and the construction of relationships and ideas. 
  • The anticipated start date for this position is 9/1/2021. 

Competencies:  

  • Quickly adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in work with students.
  • Interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents required.
  • Knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion issues, and dynamics in the classroom and in developing healthy, supportive relationships with all students.
  • Strong knowledge of course subject matter required.
  • Knowledge of instructional methodologies required.
  • Strong knowledge of child development required.
  • Develop curricula, lesson plans, and assessment tools required.
  • Analytical skills required.
  • Problem-solving skills required.
  • Decision-making skills required.
  • Attention to detail required.
  • Organizational skills required.
  • Computational skills required.
  • Creativity required.
  • Verbal and written communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills required.
  • Work independently and as part of a team required.
  • Manage stressful situations required.
  • Maintain confidentiality required.
  • Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines required.
  • Use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office, calendar/schedule software, etc.) required.


Additional Requirements ​​
 

Education, Experience or Certifications:

Education:  

  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • Master's degree preferred. 

 

Experience 

  • Prior early childhood teaching experience required. 
  • A minimum of three years of teaching experience preferred. 
  • Background developing curriculum preferred. 
  • Working knowledge with a wide range of students from diverse backgrounds such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, learning abilities, class, language, and nationality. 

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

  • Move in and around the classroom/building to interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community.
  • Move class-related equipment/tools, as appropriate, around school property.
  • When appropriate, escort children from one classroom to another, in and out of the building during arrival and dismissal, and in an emergency situation.
  • Demonstrate lessons, when appropriate.

Required Documents:

  • Resume/CV
  • Cover Letter
  • Professional References Contact Information (3)

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



Benefit Eligibility
 

Yes

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Pay Range
 

Depends on Qualifications

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Union
 

000- American Federation of Teachers , Local 2063

Job is Exempt
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Health Screen Required

No

Posting Date
 

2021-07-26-07:00

Remove from Posting On or Before
 

2022-01-26-08:00

Posting Statement: ​​
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity /Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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.



Department
 

Lab School Nursery/Kindergarten Faculty


About the Department

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools provides one of the world's most outstanding pre-collegiate educational experiences. Because Lab is part of the University of Chicago, the importance of intellectual life—of thought and exploration—infuses all aspects of our curriculum and students in every grade benefit from outstanding UChicago academicians and access to unmatched resources. John Dewey—one of the great minds in education—established the Schools in 1896 as a place to explore and implement his theories on childhood education. Today’s students still benefit from his vision, and today’s Lab faculty are recognized as experienced leaders in their field. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are affiliated with the University, half live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northern Indiana. Lab’s student body reflects the diversity that is deeply valued by the Schools and its community; approximately half of our 2,000 students are people of color and families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. The Laboratory Schools seek the finest employees—people who wish to inspire a love of learning in our students and join a vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training, in many different disciplines. At Lab, we value learning experientially, exhibiting kindness, and honoring diversity. We seek employees who share a similar commitment to these values. Lab people are engaged and excited by our mission of igniting and nurturing an enduring spirit of scholarship, curiosity, creativity, and confidence in the youngest members of the University of Chicago’s academic community.

Job Information
 

Job Summary: 

Nursery - 2nd grade homeroom teachers receive direction and support from the N-Second Grade Principal and Administrative team. Duties include instructing and supervising a group of Early Childhood students and providing instruction in all subjects except physical education, music, and art.   Create a nurturing, challenging, and supportive classroom environment that fosters mutual respect and age-appropriate levels of independence. Monitor the performance of students and communicate concerns with administrators, other teachers and learning/counseling faculty, and parents. Interact with parents and other members of the faculty and administration on a daily basis.

 

Full-time teachers are expected to work a 40-hour week and the required number of days as stipulated in the Faculty Association contract. All teachers are expected to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

 Responsibilities:

  • Build deep relationships with students, families, and staff to foster a community.
  • Maintain strong lines of communication with families about student progress, and go above and beyond to support and collaborate closely with teammates in the united pursuit of Lab’s mission.
  • Emanate optimism, share feedback to solve problems, reflect on how actions impact others and take ownership over creating a culture of kindness, respect, and excitement about learning. 
  • Build a nurturing, challenging, and supportive classroom environment that fosters mutual respect, age-appropriate levels of independence, a climate that supports learning and provides differentiated instruction.  
  • Provide instruction in math, reading, writing, science, computational thinking and social-emotional learning.
  • Develop curriculum to support play, exploration and the construction of relationships and ideas. 
  • The anticipated start date for this position is 9/1/2021. 

Competencies:  

  • Quickly adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in work with students.
  • Interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents required.
  • Knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion issues, and dynamics in the classroom and in developing healthy, supportive relationships with all students.
  • Strong knowledge of course subject matter required.
  • Knowledge of instructional methodologies required.
  • Strong knowledge of child development required.
  • Develop curricula, lesson plans, and assessment tools required.
  • Analytical skills required.
  • Problem-solving skills required.
  • Decision-making skills required.
  • Attention to detail required.
  • Organizational skills required.
  • Computational skills required.
  • Creativity required.
  • Verbal and written communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills required.
  • Work independently and as part of a team required.
  • Manage stressful situations required.
  • Maintain confidentiality required.
  • Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines required.
  • Use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office, calendar/schedule software, etc.) required.


Additional Requirements ​​
 

Education, Experience or Certifications:

Education:  

  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • Master's degree preferred. 

 

Experience 

  • Prior early childhood teaching experience required. 
  • A minimum of three years of teaching experience preferred. 
  • Background developing curriculum preferred. 
  • Working knowledge with a wide range of students from diverse backgrounds such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, learning abilities, class, language, and nationality. 

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

  • Move in and around the classroom/building to interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community.
  • Move class-related equipment/tools, as appropriate, around school property.
  • When appropriate, escort children from one classroom to another, in and out of the building during arrival and dismissal, and in an emergency situation.
  • Demonstrate lessons, when appropriate.

Required Documents:

  • Resume/CV
  • Cover Letter
  • Professional References Contact Information (3)

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



Benefit Eligibility
 

Yes

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Pay Range
 

Depends on Qualifications

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Union
 

000- American Federation of Teachers , Local 2063

Job is Exempt
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Health Screen Required

No

Posting Date
 

2021-07-26-07:00

Remove from Posting On or Before
 

2022-01-26-08:00

Posting Statement: ​​
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity /Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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.



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