Laboratory Schools: Homeroom Teacher, Lower School

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. Benefit Eligibility Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. 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. The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government. To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/