Department

Lab School Middle School

About the Department

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools provides 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. 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 Summary

The Dean of Students will support the Middle School Principal and Assistant Principal in providing for the smooth functioning of all programs in the Middle School, helping to assure the academic and social progress of the students, maintaining good community relations, advising the Middle School Principal on matters concerning the Middle School and representing the Principal as requested. The Middle School Dean of Students reports directly to the Principal of the Middle School.

The Middle School Dean of Students is responsible for ensuring smooth relationships with the Lab Schools community-students, parents, faculty, staff, and the University, participating in the admission process, and promoting a philosophy of restorative justice within the Middle School.
The Dean of Students will meet regularly with the Middle School faculty, with the Principal and Assistant Principal, academic and administrative leadership, and the Parents’ Association.

Responsibilities

• Support 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.

• 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.

• Maintain congruence between the School’s mission, core values, and core beliefs and all activities of the Middle School.

• 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.

• 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 Lower School (3-5) and High School (9-12) to support consistency across divisions, to establish consistent parent communication, and collaborate on disciplinary policy and practices.

• 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.

• Monitor the effective use of the Powerschool attendance system by all faculty. Supervise the implementation of effective attendance policies and procedures.

• Build and support school spirit

• Directly supervise a supporting Project Assistant

• Oversee Academic Probation for struggling students

• Coordinate student support for long-term absences and leaves

• Work with the Title IX director for issues involving harassment and bullying

• Lead and coordinate assemblies, in person and virtually

• Work with student council on student events and programming

• Coordinate bulletin boards and approve school postings

• Support the school’s 1-1 computer program.

• Conduct an annual revision of the student handbook.

• Oversee and approve all student fundraising proposals.

• Help facilitate and organize 8th-grade graduation.

• 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.

• 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.

• Participate in the admissions, enrollment, and registration process.

• Participate in the hiring of faculty and staff.

• 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.

• Support the Principal in providing instructional and organizational leadership, including the use of data to inform instruction and learning outcomes.

• Works with the Principal and Assistant Principal to ensure a safe, engaging learning environment for all students.

• Support an effective system of communication within the Middle School community.

• Serve as the school’s advocate and regularly communicate 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.

• Assists faculty and students in managing academic expectations.

• Represent the middle school at Lab events.

• Monitors and guides teachers in executing academic programs and curriculum.

• 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.

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

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

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

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Work Experience:

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

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Master's degree or higher.

Work 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 .

• Academic Administrators are expected to build deep relationships with students, families, faculty, and staff to foster a culture of the community.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to 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.

• Ability to 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.

• Ability to work 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.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover letter (required)

• 3 Professional References Contact Information (required)

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

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.

Staff 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.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

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.

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