Laboratory Schools: Homeroom Teacher, Lower School

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools is seeking a Homeroom Teacher for the Lower School (3rd - 5th grades). This role reports to the Lower School Principal and administration. The teacher will be responsible for building strong relationships with students, families, and staff to cultivate a community culture. Maintaining open communication with families regarding student progress and collaborating closely with colleagues to support the school's mission are key aspects of this position. The ideal candidate will be optimistic, a problem-solver, reflective of their impact on others, and proactive in shaping a positive work environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
Prior teaching experience required.
Knowledge of diversity 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.
Develop curricula, lesson plans, and assessment tools required.
Use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office, calendar/schedule software, etc.) required.
Quickly adapt to changing circumstances and flexible in work with students.
Interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents 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.
Interpersonal skills required.
Work independently and as part of a team required.
Manage stressful situations required.
Maintain confidentiality required.
Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines required.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in education or related field preferred.
At least three years of teaching experience in grades 3-5 preferred.
Background developing curriculum preferred.

Responsibilities

Instruct and supervise a group of Lower School students, providing homeroom instruction in language arts, math, social studies, and social-emotional skills.
Partner with the grade-level math co-teacher to plan and deliver instruction.
Share responsibility for all students, make collaborative instructional decisions, and implement flexible co-teaching models to meet student needs.
Engage and collaborate with parents, faculty, and administration on a daily basis.
Maintain high standards of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality in interactions with colleagues, students, families, administrators, and the community.
Build a nurturing, challenging, supportive, and inclusive classroom community.
Create a classroom environment that fosters mutual respect and age-appropriate independence.
Create activities and curriculum that support mathematical and spatial thinking, literacy, knowledge about the physical world, and the development of empathy.
Develop curriculum to support play, exploration, and the construction of relationships and ideas.
Develop and implement constructivist units of study that engage students in co-creating knowledge and applying concepts through hands-on activities.
Monitor student learning, growth, and progress, providing regular feedback to students and families on strengths, areas for growth, next steps, and learning goals.
Set instructional outcomes aligned with grade-level expectations, balancing different learning types for a diverse student body.
Actively participate in a culture of professional inquiry.
Perform in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, working a 40-hour work week and the required 179 days or as stipulated in the agreement.