Department

About the Unit
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools provides 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 2,100 students are people of color, and families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. The Laboratory Schools seek the finest 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.

Job Information
The University of Chicago Laboratory School seeks an Assistant Principal for Middle School to serve as a member of the Middle School administrative team. Reporting to the Principal, Middle School, the Assistant Principal is responsible for the safety and well-being of Middle School students, for supporting excellence in academic and co-curricular programs, for aiding in curriculum development and supervision, for assisting with faculty evaluation and professional development, for participating in the admission and enrollment processes, for participating in the planning and administering of the Middle School budget, and for assuring smooth relationships with the Lab Schools community - students, faculty, parents, staff, the University, and surrounding South Side communities. As a leader in the school, the Assistant Principal will also meet regularly with the Middle School faculty, with the Principal, the Dean of Students, the Assistant Director of Schools, academic and administrative leadership, and the Parents' Association.

Academic Administrators are expected to build deep relationships with students, families, faculty, and staff 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:

• Maintains congruence between the School's mission, core values, and core beliefs and all activities of the Middle School.
  
• Supports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work in the Middle School working with the Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to incorporate this work throughout the program.
  
• Supports the principal in providing instructional and organizational leadership, including the use of data to inform instruction and learning outcomes.
  
• Establishes a working relationship with the Lower School (3-5) and High School to support consistency across divisions.
  
• Works with the principal and dean of students to ensure a safe, engaging learning environment for all students.
  
• Provides support in improvement, development, and evaluation for instructional excellence.
  
• Support and supervise the instructional program with resources, mentoring, and foster a positive climate of collaboration and educational progress .
  
• Support and supervise the service-learning program and classroom instruction for connection to neighborhoods, other Lab divisions, and growth of community action.
  
• A key leader in the orientation program for new faculty and provides continued support of faculty through the provision of professional development opportunities.
  
• Serves as the school's advocate and regularly communicates with the Lab Schools community - students, parents, faculty, staff, the University, and the surrounding community.
  
• Revises MS communications and publications as needed.
  
• Constructs a master instructional schedule and assigns faculty within the schedule.
  
• Supervise the planning of family-teacher conferences and grade reports.
  
• Advises the principal on faculty hiring and evaluation.
  
• Manage enrollment, registration and placement processes for middle school students, including the use of the student database.
  
• Support an effective online system of communication within the Middle School faculty and staff; as a secondary step, assist the faculty in communicating with parents.
  
• Supervises the completion and submission of reports as required by the principal, the State Department of Education, and accrediting agencies.
  
• Participates in developing and managing the school budget.
  
• With the principal and dean of students, organizes, coordinates and supervises major class trips.
  
• Represents the middle school at Lab events.
  

Competencies:

• Ability to interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents required.
  
• Supervisory and evaluation skills 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 middle school pedagogy, curriculum content and adolescent development.
  
• Knowledge of instructional methodologies and progressive educational principles required.
  
• Ability to develop curricula, lesson plans, and assessment tools required.
  
• Analytic skills using objective data required.
  
• Problem-solving skills required.
  
• Decision-making skills required.
  
• Attention to detail required.
  
• Organizational skills required.
  
• Computational skills required.
  
• Creativity and flexibility required.
  
• Verbal and written communication skills.
  
• Interpersonal skills required.
  
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  
• 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 think strategically required.
  

Additional Requirements
Education, Experience or Certifications:


Education:

• Bachelor's degree required
  
• Master's degree preferred
  

Experience:

• At least 3 years as a teacher required .
  
• At least 3 years of Middle School experience required.
  
• Significant experience in creating, implementing, managing and assessing educational programs preferred.
  
• Previous experience as an Assistant Principal, Principal, or equivalent administrative experience preferred.
  
• Experience working in an independent school setting preferred.
  
• Experience leading, developing and managing change.
  
• Experience working with a wide range of students from diverse backgrounds such as race, religious affiliation, ethnicity, sexual orientation, learning abilities, class, language, and nationality.
  

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Ability to use standard productivity software and student database software required. (Microsoft Office, calendar/schedule software, learning management system - Schoology, PowerSchool, google docs)
  

Required Documents:

• Cover letter
  
• Resume
  
• Professional references
  
• A brief statement of philosophy regarding:
  
  • Ways in which your qualifications can help Lab achieve its goals of inclusivity, equity, and diversity
    
  • Approach to teaching
    
  • Particular interest in Middle School administration
    

(NOTE: When applying, all required documents MUST be uploaded under the Resume/CV section of the application)

Benefit Eligibility
Yes

Pay Frequency

Pay Range
Depends on Qualifications

Scheduled Weekly Hours
40

Union
Non-Union

Job is Exempt?
Yes

Drug Test Required?
No

Does this position require incumbent to operate a vehicle on the job?
No

Health Screen Required?
No

Posting Date
2018-11-16-08:00

Remove from Posting On or Before
2019-05-16-07:00

Posting 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 773-702-5800 or submit a request via 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: 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.