Laboratory Schools: Classroom Assistant, Family Life Programs

Department

Lab School FLP Staff - ESH

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 Summary

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools runs an Extended Day program supporting 700+ students per year before (Early Day) and after school (Late Day) hours. The Extended Day programs provide opportunities for children to connect with friends, discover and develop interests, and relax while their families need additional care before and after the school day. Extended Day programs are designed to provide students with constructive, intentional, and meaningful opportunities to engage socially with one another, creatively with materials and concepts, and civically in the life of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and community. Extended Day programs bring all of this to life within the familiar and enriching school environment onsite at the Laboratory Schools.

We are searching for Family Life Programs (FLP) Classroom Assistants to work with our Nursery 3 classrooms at our Early Childhood campus. This position is designed to provide a consistent instructor from the daytime experience to Late Day for our youngest learners at the Laboratory Schools. The FLP Classroom Assistant begins their day in the late morning and remains with the students through the end of the Late Day program. A successful FLP Classroom Assistant is experienced in working with nursery/preschool-aged children (ages 2-5 years) and is excited to work with the youngest learners at Lab Schools. They are experienced with putting children to rest, supporting bathroom toileting, and patiently modeling social skills with peers. They will be comfortable communicating with families in person and via email, and collaborating with experienced daytime teachers. The day consists of managing snacktime, naptime, going outside, engaging in developmentally-appropriate and fun activities - including arts and crafts, music, science, games - as well as plenty of time for constructive imaginative play.

The hours for this position are Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
This is an hourly position with approximately 30 hours per week.
The pay for this position is $20.00 per hour.
This is a benefits-eligible position with health insurance, 401k retirement options, and vacation.
This role will switch to an 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. teaching position during summer months.
This position is located a