3/22/23

University of Chicago Laboratory School: Academic Specialist - Lower School

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. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, LGBTQ+ identified candidates, candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to a deepening diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. 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 Laboratory Schools' seeks the finest employees who have a desire to inspire a love of learning in our students and we employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines. We have a long history of commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion work. We continue to build on this work and seek out employees who also share this commitment to one of our core values. We are committed to making sure that Lab is a great place to work and our connection to the University of Chicago provides our faculty and staff with opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

The Academic Specialist serves as part of the Learning and Counseling Department and a member of the team that provides support services to children and teachers in all areas of achievement.

Responsibilities:

• Assess students' academic progress.
• Provide instruction individually and in small groups both in and out of the classroom.
• Co-teach or lead full group lessons.
• Provide assistance in differentiating instruction.
• Consult with homeroom teachers and other members of the Learning and Counseling Department.
• Meet with parents and attend staffings.
• Monitor and document student progress.
• Supervise students both in and out of the classroom.
• Work collaboratively with other teachers, interact with their own faculty (Lower School), colleagues outside their faculty, other professionals, staff and administrators, students, and parents.
• Monitor student performance, recognize problems, coordinate with administrators, other teachers, and parents to address identified problems; and maintain up-to-date teaching techniques, progress-monitoring, and technology to provide students with a quality educational experience.
• 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.
• Anticipated start date for this position is 9/1/2023.

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 Requirements​​

Education, Experience or Certifications:

Education:    

• Bachelor's degree in learning disabilities or special education or closely related field required. 
• Master's degree in learning disabilities or special education or closely related field preferred. 

Experience:  

• Minimum three years of experience in a special education position required.
• Working with a wide range of students with diverse backgrounds such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, learning abilities, socio-economic status, language and nationality preferred.  
• Working with small groups of students within the regular classroom and in a resource-room setting preferred.
• Working with classroom teachers on strategies for differentiating instruction preferred.
• Providing remediation and differentiated instruction in the academic areas of reading, written language, and mathematics preferred. 

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Knowledge of and willing to continue to learn and implement diversity, equity and inclusion best practices.
• Knowledge of and willing to continue to learn and implement social emotional leaning.
• Strong knowledge of learning disabilities, and executive function, ASD and related learning challenges.
• 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, Google Suite, 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.

Required Documents:

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

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

Benefit Eligibility -  Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement - No

Pay Frequency - Monthly

Pay Range - Depends on Qualifications

Scheduled Weekly Hours - 40

Union - 000- American Federation of Teachers , Local 2063

Job is Exempt - Yes

Drug Test Required - No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required - No

Health Screen Required - No

Posting Date - 2023-02-23-08:00

Remove from Posting On or Before - 2023-08-23-07:00

Posting Statement:​​

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.

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.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

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.