Job Description:

• Support an effective system of communication within the Middle School community. 
• Foster positive connections between students, faculty and parents.
• Work with the Deans of Students across schools to develop shared language and implement equitable supports for students.
• Be an active presence throughout the school day particularly during less-structured times.
• Establish a working relationship with the High School and Lower School to establish consistent parent communication, disciplinary, and advisory work across all three divisions.
• Work with the Principal and Assistant Principal to develop and coordinate special activities that empower student leadership and develop a sense of community responsibility.
• Work with the Principal and Assistant Principal to educate the faculty on the shared nature of responsibilities, including discipline, attendance, mandated training and supervision.
• Serve as the point person for the student referral system working with the Department of Learning and Counseling to identify at-risk students and to implement appropriate interventions.
• Aid in the development of an orientation program and continued support for new students.
• Work with student clubs to support the Laboratory Schools mission initiatives.
• Oversee and approve all student fundraising proposals.
• Participate in the admissions, enrollment, and registration process.
• Support the schoolâ™s 1:1 computer program.
• Lead the disciplinary process; dealing with the violation of school rules in a consistent and timely fashion, to ensure proper and fair discipline in the Middle School.
• Conduct an annual revision of the student handbook.
• Monitor the effective use of the Powerschool attendance system by all faculty. Supervise the implementation of effective attendance policies and procedures.
• Participate in the hiring of faculty and staff.
• Maintain congruence between the Schoolâ™s mission, core values, and core beliefs and all activities of the Middle School.
• Aid in the development of an orientation program for new faculty and continued support for faculty.
• Support learning specialists with identified student needs and resources.
• Support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work in the Middle School working with the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to incorporate this work throughout the program.
• Assist the Principal in providing instructional and organizational leadership, including the use of data to inform instruction and learning outcomes.
• Establish a working relationship with the Lower School (3-5) and High School to support consistency across divisions.
• Works with the Principal and Assistant Principal to ensure a safe, engaging learning environment for all students.
• Directly supervise a secretarial support.
• Serve as the schoolâ™s advocate and regularly communicates with the Lab Schools community - students, parents, faculty, staff, the University, and the surrounding community.
• With the Principal and Assistant Principal, organize, coordinate and supervise major class trips.
• Represent the middle school at Lab events.
• Help facilitate and organize 8th-grade graduation.
• Supports students, families, and faculty. Administers student services in the areas of extracurricular activities and programs, investigation and discipline. Administers communications systems between home and the school, including providing for parent conferences. Manages student personnel matters.
• 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 Labâ™s mission.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:    

• Bachelorâ™s degree.
• Master's degree or higher.

Experience:

• At least five years of formal experience in working with adolescents.
• Three years of administrative experience and evidence of recent involvement in program improvement strongly encouraged.
• Experience working with middle school students in a school setting.
• A proven track record of promoting student success inside and outside of schools .
• Leadership experience in developing positive school culture, including a deep knowledge of the socio-emotional needs of students.
• Demonstrated experience with issues of diversity strongly encouraged. 
• Experience working with a wide range of students with diverse backgrounds such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, learning abilities, class, language, and nationality 
• Experience with instructional evaluation .
• Build deep relationships with students, families, faculty, and staff to foster a culture of the community. 

Preferred Competencies

• Interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents.
• Supervisory and evaluation skills.
• Knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion issues, and dynamics in the classroom and in developing healthy, supportive relationships with all students.
• Strong knowledge of middle school pedagogy, curriculum content, and adolescent development.
• Knowledge of instructional methodologies and progressive educational principles.
• Develop curricula, lesson plans, and assessment tools.
• Analytic skills using objective data.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Decision-making skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Organizational skills.
• Computational skills.
• Creativity and flexibility.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Manage stressful situations.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Think strategically.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required)
• Professional References Contact Information (required)

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 the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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