DepartmentLab School High School Faculty

About the Department
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools provide 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 2,000 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.Job Information
Job Summary:
The History department (grades 9-12) believes that historical study is uniquely structured to build appreciation of, and engagement in, a globalized world, and that students build valuable analytical and communication skills through careful attention to research processes and contextualization of current events in their historical antecedents. Likewise, historical study propels cross-cultural competence and an appreciation for global interdependence. In the twenty-first century, historians increasingly engage in transnational research, building more accurate and inclusive global narratives regarding historical events. These narratives provide context for our own experiences with globalization today and empower us to be better citizens. The History Department works to implement an ever-evolving, culturally-responsive curriculum which is reflected in its recently adopted Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Accommodation statements.

Unaffiliated with the College Board AP programs, our faculty work to honor John Dewey by using an inquiry approach to learning and its curricular objectives. The History department cultivates students' thinking skills so they actively construct and analyze historical narratives. Open-ended interpretative questions and student-centered instructional methods (e.g., discussion, debate, and simulation) empower students to act as historians, analyzing and interpreting texts and artifacts with well-evidenced conclusions. Students become adept at scholarly research, investigating more sophisticated sources as they move from tier-to-tier, ultimately reaching print sources and scholarly, subscription databases from University of Chicago's Regenstein Library. Students investigate sources critically, analyzing and synthesizing both primary and secondary sources for point of view and context, rather than accepting them at face value. Students also learn analytical writing skills of thesis formation, well-constructed and evidenced body paragraphs, and attention to proper source citation. The department is committed to a growth mindset that propels students to create ever-increasingly sophisticated work as they move from tier to tier.

Current departmental history courses include African-American, American, Early World, European, Modern World, and Modern World Religions. Current electives include AT Economics, AT Comparative Politics and Global Relations, Herstory, the Holocaust, and Genocide. History teachers report to their respective Principals and are responsible to the History Department Chair. All teachers are expected to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and are expected to work the required days as stipulated in that agreement. Teachers are also expected to build deep relationships with students, families, other faculty and staff to communicate about student progress and to foster a culture of community in classrooms, advisory, and club/affinity group spaces. Enthusiasm, collaboration, reflective teaching and learning, and commitment to Lab's mission are vital.

Responsibilities:
- Develop curriculum.
- Supervise students both in and out of the classroom
- Maintain up-to-date teaching techniques to provide students with a quality educational experience.
- Build deep relationships with students, families, other faculty, and staff to communicate about student progress and to foster a culture of community.
- Anticipated start date for this position is 9/1/2021.

Competencies:
- Strong knowledge of course subject matter required.
- Knowledge of instructional methodologies required.
- Deep knowledge of child development required.
- Develop curricula, lesson plans, and assessment tools required.
- Problem-solving skills required.
- Analytical skills required.
- Computational skills required.
- Organizational skills required.
- Attention to detail required.
- Decision-making skills required.
- Quickly adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in work with students.
- Strong interpersonal, and the ability to interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents required.
- Knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion issues, and dynamics in the classroom and in developing healthy, supportive relationships with all students.
- Creativity required.
- Strong verbal and written communication 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 history or a related field required.
- Master's degree or higher in history or a related field preferred.
- Coursework or degree that reflects multicultural content preferred.

Experience:
- A minimum of three years of middle school or high school teaching experience required.
- Teach any grade level of history required.
- Proficient in developing a curriculum is strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge with a wide range of students with diverse backgrounds, such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, learning abilities, class, language and nationality, preferred.

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.

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.