Laboratory Schools: English Teacher, High School

Department

Lab School High School 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:

The English Department aims to cultivate thoughtful, reflective, and independent readers and writers. We believe in the power of literature to inspire, question, and broaden perspectives. Our goal is not only to equip students with critical analytical, interpretative, and writing skills but also to foster a lifelong love of literature that students carry into the world.

Our English program starts with foundational, collaboratively designed courses for 9th and 10th graders, carefully scaffolded to develop close reading and argumentation skills. In 11th and 12th grade, students choose from theme- or genre-based electives, where they use an evidence-first approach to develop original critical essays. Rather than structuring courses by traditional categories such as American or British literature, we invite students to explore a wide range of identities, historical periods, genres, and human experiences throughout their four years. In addition, the program encourages creative and self expression through personal narratives, poetry translation, cross-textual explorations, playwriting, and other creative projects.

Teachers are expected to create an environment that allows students to think critically, creatively, and independently; to foster engaging class discussions; to guide students through a clear and structured writing process; and to adapt instruction to accommodate various learning styles.

Anticipated start date for this position is 8/24/2026.

Responsibilities:

• Teachers are responsible for working collaboratively to develop curriculum with their course teams; for supervising students both in and out of the classroom; and for continually updating their teaching methods to ensure students receive a high-quality educational experience. 

• Teachers are expected to foster trusting relationships with students, and to collaborate and communicate with families, other faculty, and staff in support of student learning. We are looking for team members who will emanate optimism, solve problems collaboratively, reflect on how one’s actions impact others, contribute to an engaging and inclusive school culture, and share in the united pursuit of Lab’s mission.

• The English Department is responsible for educating students in grades 9-12.  The courses taught by the department are designed to teach reading, writing, and thinking skills, and the content of the courses is chosen to support those goals. 

• English teachers report to their respective Principals and are responsible to the English Department Chair.  The high school currently supports separate History and English departments and the middle school supports a combined Humanities department. 

• All teachers are expected to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and are expected to work the required days as stipulated in that agreement.

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 required.

• Knowledge of instructional methodologies required.

• Strong knowledge of child development required.

• Ability to develop curricula, lesson plans, and assessment tools 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.

• 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.

Additional Responsibilities

Additional Job Responsibilities:

Education:      

• Bachelor's degree in English or a related field (ie. comparative literature, humanities) required.

• Master's degree in English or a related field preferred. 

 

Experience:      

• Three years of middle school or high school teaching experience in English/Language Arts is preferred.

• Ability to teach any grade level of high school English required.

• Experience developing curriculum is strongly 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.

 

Required Documents:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• Professional References

Yes

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

$74,968.00 - $166,645.00

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.

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