What are the responsibilities and job description for the Laboratory Schools: Early Childhood Assistant Teacher position at The University of Chicago?
Department
Lab School Primary School FacultyAbout the Department
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 Information
Job Summary:
We are looking for team members who will emanate optimism, share feedback to solve problems, reflect on how actions impact others and take ownership of creating the culture we want to show up to each day. 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. Ability to use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office/Google Suite, calendar/schedule software, etc.) is required.
Responsibilities:
- Build deep relationships with students, families, and staff to foster a culture of 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.
- Attend at least one team meeting per week with the Head Teacher and take part in events that may occur outside of school hours.
- Other duties as assigned
Competencies:
- Ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in work with students.
- Ability to 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.
- Ability to develop innovative 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 required.
- Interpersonal skills required.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team required.
- Ability to manage stressful situations required.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality required.
- Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines required.
- Ability to use standard productivity and educational software or platforms (calendar/schedule software, learning management system, etc.) required.
Additional Responsibilities
Education, Experience, or Certifications:
Education:
- Associate’s degree required.
- Bachelor's/Master's degree preferred.
Experience:
- Prior early childhood teaching experience required.
- Experience working with a wide range of students from diverse backgrounds such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, learning abilities, class, language, and nationality preferred.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
- Ability to move in and around the classroom/building to interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community.
- Ability to move class-related equipment/tools, as appropriate, around school property.
- When appropriate, the ability to escort children from one classroom to another, in and out of the building during arrival and dismissal, and in an emergency situation.
- Ability to demonstrate lessons, when appropriate.
Required Documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Professional References
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Benefit Eligibility
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.
Pay Rate Type
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Union
Job is Exempt
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Posting Date
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.
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