Job Description:

• Maintains congruence between the Schoolâ™s mission, core values, and core beliefs, and all activities of the Lower School.
• Supports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work in the Lower School working with the Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to incorporate this work throughout the program.
• Supports the principal in providing instructional and organizational leadership, including the use of data to inform instruction and learning outcomes.
• Establishes a working relationship with the Early Childhood Campus (N-2) and Middle School to support consistency across divisions.
• Works with the principal to ensure a safe, engaging learning environment for all students.
• Drives instructional excellence through the administration of  a system for instructional evaluation.
• Supervises, monitors, and guides teachers in developing academic programs.
• Builds an environment that fosters collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Aids in the development of an orientation program and continued support for teachers, including providing opportunities for professional growth.
• Serves as school's advocate and regularly communicates with the Lab Schools community - students, parents, faculty, staff,  the University, and the surrounding community.
• Revises LS communications and publications as needed.
• Manages diverse opinions, ideologies, and expertise to achieve school vision and objectives.
• Constructs a master instructional schedule and assigns faculty within the schedule.
• Advises the Principal on faculty hiring and evaluation.
• Approves hiring of substitute teachers for the Lower School and aids in the development of an orientation program.
• Manages enrollment, registration, and placement processes for Lower School students, including the use of the student database.
• Directly supervises clerical office personnel.
• Represents the Lower School at Lab events.
• Supervises the completion and submission of reports as required by the Principal, the State Department of Education, and accrediting agencies. Participates in developing and managing the school budget. Constructs a master instructional schedule and teaching assignments. Participates with the Principal on teacher hiring and evaluation.
• Build deep relationships with students, families, faculty and staff to foster a culture of community. 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 Labâ™s mission.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelorâ™s degree in education or related field.
• Masterâ™s degree in education or related field.

Experience:

• At least five years of experience as a teacher.
• Significant experience in creating, implementing, managing and assessing educational programs.
• Previous experience as an Assistant Principal, Principal, or equivalent administrative experience.
• Background working in an independent school setting.
• Working knowledge leading, developing and managing change management initiatives.
• Supervisory and evaluation skills, preferably in a unionized environment.
• Adept at working with a wide range of students with diverse backgrounds such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, learning abilities, class, language and nationality.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office, calendar/schedule software, etc.) and student database software.
• Proficient in PowerSchool.

Preferred Competencies

• Agile and flexible.
• Comfortable interacting with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents.
• Expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion issues and dynamics in the classroom and in developing healthy, supportive relationships with all students.
• Sound knowledge of course subject matter.
• Knowledge of instructional methodologies and progressive educational principles.
• Extensive knowledge of child development.
• 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.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Manage stressful situations.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Think strategically.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Professional References Contact Information (required)
• Brief statement of philosophy regarding: a) Ways in which your qualifications can help Lab achieve its goals of inclusivity, equity, and diversity; and b) Approach to teaching (required)

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 the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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: 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.