University of Chicago Laboratory Schools hiring Early Childhood Homeroom Teacher in Chicago, Illinois, United States | LinkedIn (2024)

Details

Posted: 18-Apr-24

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Type: Full Time

CategoriesEarly Childhood

Internal Number: JR25700

Job SummaryThe Laboratory School seeks an experienced and reflective Nursery/Kindergarten teacher to join a vibrant professional community of early childhood educators. Candidates should bring a fascination with and strong developmental understanding of the early childhood years, progressive education and the Reggio Emilia approach. The ideal candidate has experience with and commitment to developing emergent curriculum in collaboration with children and colleagues, and a desire to learn and evolve.

The Laboratory School’s Early Childhood program is committed to child-centered learning based on careful observation and documentation of children’s work and play, and grounded in caring and respectful relationships among children, teachers, and families. We are seeking an early childhood teacher with a minimum of 3 years of early childhood classroom teaching experience who is currently teaching in a classroom of diverse learners. The ideal candidate has experience with universal design for learning and culturally responsive and restorative practices.

The candidate should have experience building effective communication and trusting relationships with families, and the ability to work in a collaborative environment that values multiple perspectives. The individual should also demonstrate an understanding of the critical role of the environment and materials in the formation and expression of children’s thinking and understanding of their world. Commitment to cultivating an inclusive environment that respects and honors the stories, experiences, and identities of all community members is essential.

Nursery/Kindergarten homeroom teachers receive direction and support from the division Principal and administrative team. 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

• Establish a caring classroom community and a nurturing and stimulating environment where children develop a deep sense of purpose and ownership.
• Support children’s social and emotional learning through respectful and developmentally appropriate practices that foster an attitude of problem-solving and empathy.
• Through photography, video and written notes, document children’s learning, play and interactions in the classroom to guide planning for future learning experiences.
• Facilitate short and long-term curriculum experiences that build on children’s strengths, questions, and curiosity and which support their intellectual, emotional and social development.
• Collaborate with teaching partners and other colleagues to develop learning experiences and support children’s growth and well-being.
• Communicate regularly with families through meetings, phone calls, email, classroom newsletters, annual narrative reports, family conferences, curriculum evening presentations and at other times as needed before and after school.
• Participate in regular reflective meetings with the division Principal and the administrative team, engage in professional development and learning in and out of school, faculty meetings and learning and counseling team meetings.
• Engage in a pedagogical reflective process that includes reviewing observation notes, footage, actively participating in weekly reflective meetings, and producing documentation and displays of children’s thinking and work.
• Mentor the professional growth of assistant teachers through ongoing communication, collaboration, and reflective feedback.
• Reflect on the growth and needs of individual children through conversations with Counselors.
• Maintain a classroom environment that is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and well-organized.
• Commit to practices that build toward a more socially-just school community and world, including culturally responsive and restorative practices and actively participate in school-wide DEI efforts.

Competencies

• Ability to quickly adapt to changing circ*mstances and flexibility 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 instructional methodologies preferred.
• Strong knowledge of child development preferred.
• Strong classroom management skills required.
• Ability to develop curricula, lesson plans, and assessment tools preferred.
• 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.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• 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 the deadlines required.

EducationEducation, Experience, or Certifications:

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

Experience

• Demonstrated experience working with children with more complex emotional / behavioral needs required.

Technical Knowledge Or Skills

• Ability to use standard productivity software (Google Suite, calendar/schedule software, etc.) required.

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/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.

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About University Of Chicago Laboratory SchoolsThe University of Chicago Laboratory Schools provide 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 fine...st 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. The Laboratory Schools is a great place to work and our connection to the University provides our faculty and staff with opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment. Interested candidates should apply via our website at: http://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/about-lab/employment AA/EOE 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 773-834-1841 or by email talentacquisition@uchicago.edu with their request.

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