Department

Lab School Early Childhood

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 School seeks an Assistant Principal to serve as a member of the Early Childhood administrative team. Reporting to the Principal, Early Childhood, the Assistant Principal supports the principal and Early Childhood Deans in providing instructional and organizational leadership, including the use of data to inform instruction and learning outcomes. The Assistant Principal manages and Early Childhood division faculty. This role attends regularly scheduled meetings with faculty, staff, cross-divisional academic and administrative leadership, the Parents' Association, and the Early Childhood Division leadership team. Lab Schools’ academic leaders are expected to build deep relationships with colleagues, students, and families to foster a culture of community. We are looking for team members who will emanate optimism, solve problems collaboratively, reflect on how actions impact others, create an engaging and inclusive school culture, and share in the united pursuit of Lab’s mission.

Responsibilities

Maintain the safety and well-being of Early Childhood students.

Advise and assist the Principal on faculty hiring, evaluation, and professional development.

Manage faculty absences, leaves, and attendance.

Develop and maintain an orientation and continued support program for teachers, including opportunities for professional growth.

Approve the hiring of substitute teachers for the Early Childhood division and aid in the development of an orientation program.

Construct a master instructional schedule and assign faculty within the schedule.

Manage admission, enrollment, registration, and placement processes for Early Childhood students, including the use of the student database and mass enrollment.

Manage communications with Lab colleagues and families .

Aid in curriculum development and supervision supporting excellence in academic and co-curricular programs.

Participate in the planning and administering of the Early Childhood budget.

Assure smooth relationships within the Lab School community - students, parents, faculty, staff, the University, and surrounding South Side communities. 

Maintain congruence between the School’s mission, core values, and core beliefs and all activities of the Early Childhood.

Support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work in the Early Childhood Division working with the Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to incorporate this work throughout the program.

Manage diverse opinions, ideologies, and expertise to achieve school vision and objectives.

Maintain a working relationship with the Early Childhood and Lower School divisions to support consistency across divisions.

Ensure a safe, engaging learning environment for all students.

Drive instructional excellence through the administration of  a system for instructional evaluation.

Supervise, monitor, and guide teachers in developing academic programs.

Build an environment that fosters collaboration and continuous improvement.

Serve as school's advocate and regularly communicate with the Lab School community - students, parents, faculty, staff,  the University, and the surrounding community.

Supervise the completion and submission of reports as required by the Principal, the State Department of Education, and accrediting agencies.

Revise ESH communications and publications as needed.

Represent the Early Childhood division at Lab events, sometimes outside of school hours.

Monitors and guides teachers in executing academic programs. Participates in the development of an orientation program and continued support for teachers, including providing opportunities for professional growth.

Manages system of instructional schedules. Administers communications systems between home and the school, including providing for parent conferences. Manages student personnel matters.

Performs other duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field.

Master’s degree in Education or related field.

Experience:

At least five years of classroom teaching experience.

Significant experience in creating, implementing, managing and assessing educational programs.

Previous experience as an Assistant Principal, Principal, Dean or equivalent administrative experience.

Experience working in an independent school setting.

Experience leading, developing and implementing change management initiatives.

Supervisory & evaluation skills required; preferably in a unionized environment.

Experience working with a wide range of students with diverse backgrounds such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, learning abilities, class, language and nationality.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

Ability to use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office/Google Suite calendar/schedule software, etc.) and student database software.

PowerSchool experience.

Preferred Competencies

Agility and flexibility.

Ability to interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents.

Knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and dynamics in the classroom and in developing healthy, supportive relationships with all students.

Strong knowledge of child development.

Knowledge of instructional methodologies and progressive educational principles.

Strong knowledge of early childhood content area subject matter.

Ability to develop curricula, lesson plans, and assessment tools.

Analytical skills.

Problem-solving skills.

Decision-making skills.

Attention to detail.

Organizational skills.

Computational skills.

Creativity.

Verbal and written communication skills.

Interpersonal skills.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Ability to manage stressful situations.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

Ability to think strategically.

Application Documents

Cover letter (required)

Resume (required)

Professional references (required)

Brief statement of philosophy regarding (required):

Ways in which your qualifications can help Lab achieve its goal of inclusivity, equity, and diversity and your approach to teaching.

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

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$9,333.33 - $12,083.33

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.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

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.