Laboratory Schools: Assistant Teacher, Early Childhood

Department

Lab School Nursery/Kindergarten Faculty

About the Department

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Information

Job Summary:

Early childhood/primary school educator with classroom experience.

Responsibilities:

• Understand the developmental considerations, phases and patterns of growth of young children.

• Build deep relationships with students, families, faculty and staff to foster a culture of respect and belonging.

• Ensure the health, safety and well-being of children in the program by providing close supervision during all activities.

• Assist in maintaining a clean and safe classroom environment.

• Support the planning and implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum that supports and stimulates each child’s individual development.

• Assist in carrying out stimulating lesson plans promoting exploration, creativity, and discovery.

• Attend all required training, supervisory meetings and other professional development workshops.

• Engage in reflective supervision with the lead teacher.

• Participate in parent/teacher conferences, back to school night and parent meetings both during regular working hours and, at times, before and after regular working hours.

• Work cooperatively with other teachers, counselors and administrators.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible 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 course subject matter is preferred.

• Knowledge of instructional methodologies preferred.

• Strong knowledge of child development is preferred.

• 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

• Interpersonal skills required.

• 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 deadlines required.

• Ability to use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office, calendar/scheduling software, etc.) required.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, Certifications:
Education:

• Associate's degree required.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• Prior early childhood teaching experience preferred.

Working Conditions:

• 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.

Application Documents:

• Resume (required)

• Cover letter (required)

• Professional References (required)

Yes

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

$40,483.00 - $78,013.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Union

000- American Federation of Teachers , Local 2063

Job is Exempt

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Date

2026-03-04

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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: http://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.