Job Summary

The Dean of Students will work as a team with the Principal, Assistant Principal and Dean of Teaching and Learning to provide for the smooth functioning of all programs in the Early Childhood Division. Helping to assure the academic and social progress of the students, maintaining good community relations, advising the Early Childhood Principal on matters concerning the Early Childhood division and representing the Principal as requested. The Dean will ensure that the school’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is included in all work. The Dean reports directly to the Principal of the Early Childhood division.
Academic administrators are expected to build deep relationships with students, families, faculty and staff to foster a culture of community. We are looking for optimistic, collaborative problem solvers who reflect on how their actions impact others, create an engaging and inclusive school culture, and share in the united pursuit of Lab’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Supports children and families in the Early Childhood division by building relationships, being a public face available to answer questions, solve problems, and facilitate connections. 

• Makes connections between students, families, grade levels, divisions, and campuses.

• Co-coordinates all-building assemblies and gatherings and facilitates an all-building gathering at least once a quarter.

• Partners closely with the Learning and Counseling Teams to support students’ academic growth and social-emotional development; monitor academic and social emotional progress and intervene when needed.

• Reviews student attendance for irregular patterns; follow up with families to promote consistent school engagement.

• Coordinates internal staffing meetings, parent meeting , and classroom team discussions to support individual student needs.

• Collaborates with teachers and counselors to design and implement behavior support plans with data collection.

• Serves as a liaison to the Department of Student Services by providing regular student updates and coordinating family communication.

• Conducts regular classroom observations to understand student experiences, support instructional alignment, and inform intervention planning.

• Participates in the admissions, enrollment, and placement processes for the Early Childhood division and placement in 3rd grade, including attending playgroups in coordination with the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid.

• Works across departments to ensure continuity for students with Learning & Counseling, Extended Day, and the Deputy Title IX Coordinator.

• Participates in faculty and staff hiring.

• Aids in the development of an orientation program and continued support for new parents.

• Reads progress reports.

• Works with the Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Dean of Teaching & Learning to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion goals throughout the program.

• Establishes a positive, cooperative working relationship with other school administrators.

• Work with administration and counselors to revise and update the student handbook and code of conduct for grades N-2, including provisions regarding bullying.

• Works with staff and teachers to create and strengthen systems that simplify and improve experiences for families and students. 

• Collaborates across divisions to ensure consistent implementation of process and policy related to student discipline, instructional support, academic programming and co-curricular activities.

• Build deep relationships with students, families, faculty and staff to foster a culture of community. Emanate optimism, solve problems collaboratively, reflect on how actions impact others, create an engaging and inclusive school culture, and share in the united pursuit of Lab’s mission.

• Performs other duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree.

• Advanced degree in counseling, educational psychology, or education.

Experience:

• At least three years of leadership experience in education.

• Early childhood - 2nd grade teaching experience strongly preferred.

• Experience in curriculum development.

• Experience leading, developing, and managing change management initiatives.

• Familiarity with the Reggio Emilia approach and other project-based learning approaches.

• An understanding of Dewey’s philosophies and experiential learning.

• Experience working with a wide range of students with diverse backgrounds such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, learning abilities, class, language, and nationality.

• Experience working in a team setting.

• Team or other relevant leadership experience.

• Supervisory and evaluation skills, preferably in a unionized environment.

Technical Knowledge or Skills

• Significant experience in creating, implementing, managing, and evaluating educational programs and systems.

• Ability to use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office, calendar/schedule software, etc.) and student database software (PowerSchool, Schoology, Seesaw, etc).

Preferred Competencies

• Agility and flexibility.

• Ability to interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents.

• Knowledge of ways diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and dynamics affect healthy, supportive relationships in and across classrooms.

• Strong knowledge of child development, early childhood content and pedagogy.

• Knowledge of instructional methodologies and progressive educational principles.

• Ability to develop curricula, lesson plans and assessment tools. 

• Analytical skills.

• Problem-solving skills.

• Decision-making skills.

• Attention to detail.

• Organizational skills.

• Computational skills.

• Creativity.

• Verbal and written communication skills.

• Interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to manage stressful situations.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Ability to think strategically.

• Understanding of adults, team dynamics, and relationships.

• Passion for lifelong learning, ability to share curiosity with others. 

Application Documents

• Cover letter (required)

• Resume (required)

• Professional references (required)

• Brief statement of philosophy regarding (required):

  • Ways in which your qualifications can help Lab achieve its goals of inclusivity, equity, and diversity. 

  • Approach to teaching

About The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

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 fine...st 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. The Laboratory Schools is a great place to work and our connection to the University provides our faculty and staff with opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment. Interested candidates should apply via our website at: http://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/about-lab/employment AA/EOE Statement: 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 773-834-1841 or by email talentacquisition@uchicago.edu with their request.

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