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 during the 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.

Family Life Programs (FLP) is seeking enthusiastic, dependable, and nurturing Classroom Assistants to support our Nursery 3 classrooms at the Earl Shapiro Hall Early Childhood Campus. This position plays an important role in providing consistency and continuity of care for our youngest learners as they transition from the school day into Late Day programming. FLP Classroom Assistants begin their day in the late morning, collaborating with daytime classroom teachers and remain with students through the conclusion of the Late Day Program. The ideal candidate has experience working with nursery and preschool-aged children (ages 2-5) and is passionate about creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment. Successful Classroom Assistants demonstrate patience, flexibility, strong communication skills and an understanding of early childhood and social-emotional learning. Throughout the day, Classroom Assistants support daily routines, including snack time, rest time, toileting, outdoor play and classroom transitions. They also plan and facilitate engaging, play-based activities such as arts and crafts, music, science, games, and imaginative play. Above all, we are looking for individuals who are excited to build meaningful relationships with children, collaborate with colleagues and contribute to a positive and supportive classroom community.

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Hours: Approximately 35 hours per week
Compensation: $20.00 per hour
Benefits: Benefits-eligible position, including health insurance, 401k retirement options, and paid vacation
Summer Schedule: Transitions to an 8:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. teaching position during the summer months
Location: Earl Shapiro Hall, 5800 S. Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL

Responsibilities

• Build positive, supportive relationships with students, families, classroom teachers, and FLP colleagues.
• Create a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and engaging environment that supports children's social-emotional and developmental needs.
• Plan and facilitate developmentally appropriate, play-based activities that encourage creativity, exploration, and peer interaction.
• Actively supervise and engage with students throughout classroom activities, outdoor play, and daily transitions.
• Support daily classroom routines, including snack time, rest time, toileting, handwashing, and classroom organization.
• Model positive behavior, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and age-appropriate social skills.
• Expands knowledge by participating in staff meetings, individual planning meetings, and/or parent-student staffings.
• May collaborate with teachers through classroom observation and curriculum discussions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma from an accredited institution or a GED certificate.

Experience:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Some Early Childhood Education or related courses.
• Experience working with nursery-aged children in a daycare, camp, or school setting.

Preferred Competencies

• Must be willing to work with children in a progressive learning and cultural environment.
• Receptive to feedback and able to make adjustments when necessary.
• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with others.
• Strong customer service skills, as well as a friendly and professional demeanor.
• Comfort working with mobile technology.
• Must be comfortable independently supervising a group of up to 12 children.

Working Conditions

• Ability to move in and around the classroom and building to interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community.
• Ability to facilitate programs inside and outside, even in winter months.
• Ability to escort children from one classroom to another, in and out of buildings during arrival and dismissal (where required), and in an emergency situation. This may include climbing stairs of up to 2 stories, where appropriate, with younger children. 

Application Documents

• Resume that shares your experience working with this age group (required)
• Cover letter that explains your interest in this role (required)
• Three professional references we can contact during the interview process (required)

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.

Job Family

Academic Affairs

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

35

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

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FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

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Pay Range

$16.20 - $20.00

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.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

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.