Job Description:

Job Summary:

Homeroom Teacher - Lower School: The Lower School (3rd - 5th grades) homeroom teachers receive direction and support from the Lower School Principal and administration.

Build deep relationships with students, families, and staff to foster a culture of the community. Maintain strong lines of communication with families about student growth and progress, and go above and beyond to support and collaborate closely with teammates in the united pursuit of Labâ™s mission. We are looking for team members who will emanate optimism, share feedback to solve problems, reflect on how your actions impact others and take ownership over creating the culture you want to show up to each day.

Responsibilities:

• Instruct and supervise a group of Lower School students and provide homeroom instruction including language arts, math, social studies and social-emotional skills. 
• Engage and collaborate with parents and other members of the faculty and administration on a daily basis. Maintain high standards of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality in daily interactions with colleagues, students, family, administrators, and the broader community. 
• Build a nurturing, challenging, supportive, and inclusive classroom community. Create a classroom environment that fosters mutual respect and age-appropriate levels of independence.
• Create activities and curriculum that supports mathematical and spatial thinking, literacy, knowledge about the physical world, and the development of empathy. Develop curriculum to support play and exploration and the construction of relationships and ideas. 
• Develop and implement constructivist units of study that engage students to co-create knowledge and apply ideas, concepts, and skills through hands-on learning activities. 
• Monitor student learning, growth, and progress, and provide regular feedback to students and families regarding strengths, opportunities for growth, next steps, and learning goals. 
• Set instructional outcomes that are grounded in grade-level expectations, reflect a balance of different types of learning and are suitable for a diverse group of students.
• Actively participate in a culture of professional inquiry.
• All teachers are expected to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and are expected to work a 40 hour work week and the required 179 days or days as stipulated in that agreement.
• The anticipated start date for this position is 9/1/2022.

Competencies:  

• Quickly adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in work with students.
• 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.
• Analytical skills required.
• Problem-solving skills required.
• Decision-making skills required.
• Attention to detail required.
• Organizational 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.

Education, Experience or Certifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master's degree in education or related field preferred. 

 

Experience:  

• Prior teaching experience required.
• At least three years of teaching experience in grades 3-5 preferred.
• Experience developing curriculum preferred. 

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• 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.
• Computational skills required.
• Use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office, calendar/schedule software, etc.) required.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Move in and around the classroom/building to interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community.
• Move class-related equipment/tools, as appropriate, around school property.
• Escort children from one classroom to another, in and out of the building during arrival and dismissal, and in an emergency situation.
• Demonstrate lessons, when appropriate.

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Professional References Contact Information (3)
• 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.

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.