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.

About The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

The 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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Connections working at The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools