Laboratory Schools: Homeroom Teacher, Lower School

Department

Lab School Lower 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:

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 Lab’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.
• Partner with the grade-level math co-teacher to plan and deliver instruction. Share responsibility for all students, make instructional decisions collaboratively, and implement a range of flexible co-teaching models that respond to student needs.
• 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 9/1/2026.

Competencies:

• 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.

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, and 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.
• Background developing curriculum preferred.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• 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.

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.
• When appropriate, 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.

Pay Range:

• $74,968 - $166,645 annual salary.

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 uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

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

2026-06-22

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.