Laboratory Schools: Music Teacher, Part-Time, Middle School

Department

Lab School Middle School Faculty

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. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, LGBTQ+ identified candidates, candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to a deepening diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. 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 Information

Job Summary:

Music teachers report to their respective Principals, as well as the Music Department Chair. Music teachers are responsible for the planning, implementation, and delivery of the curriculum, as well as supervision of students both in and outside of the classroom. They must also work collaboratively with members of their own department, administration, faculty, and support staff, throughout the entire School. 

Responsibilities:

• Teaching 7th and 8th grade general music.  

• Co-teaching 6th grade band.

• Adapt to and expand on existing curriculum.

• Work with music colleagues in a collaborative environment to meet student needs.

• Music teachers have the responsibility to monitor and report on the performance of students, recognize problems, and coordinate with administrators, other teachers, and parents, to correct identified problems. The Music Department consists of seventeen faculty members, supported by a project manager. 

• The Department is responsible for the music education of students in grades nursery through twelve. Courses taught by the Music Department include general music, band, choir, orchestra, jazz band, music history, music theory, and digital music production. 

• Music department members are also expected to actively pursue professional development in the areas of pedagogy, teaching techniques, and technology relevant to the field and subject, to provide students with a learning experience of the highest quality. 

• Duties include instructing and supervising 6th-8th grade students providing music classroom instruction; creating a nurturing, challenging, inclusive, and supportive classroom environment that fosters mutual respect and age-appropriate levels of independence and collaboration; monitoring the performance of students and communicating concerns with administrators, other teachers, and learning/counseling faculty, and parents. 

• This is a part-time position. All teachers are expected to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.  

• Emphasis on building curriculum that reflects multicultural content.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in work with students. 

• 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. 

• Strong knowledge of course subject matter required. 

• Knowledge of instructional methodologies required. 

• Strong knowledge of child development required. 

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

• Analytical skills required. 

• Problem-solving skills required. 

• Decision-making skills required. 

• Attention to detail required. 

• Organizational skills required. 

• Computational skills required. 

• Creativity required. 

• Verbal and written communication skills 

• Interpersonal skills required. 

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

• Ability to manage stressful situations required. 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality required.

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

• Ability to use standard productivity software (Microsoft Office, calendar/schedule software, etc.) required. 

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Music required.

• Master's degree preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of three years of teaching experience is preferred. 

• Experience with Middle School (grades 6-8) students in a general music and band classroom preferred.

• General knowledge of technology preferred.

• Guitar experience preferred.

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

Working Conditions: 

• Ability to move in and around the classroom/building to interact with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other members of the community. 

• Ability to move class-related equipment/tools, as appropriate, around school property.

• When appropriate, the ability to escort children from one classroom to another, in and out of the building during arrival and dismissal, and in an emergency situation. 

• Ability to demonstrate lessons, when appropriate. 

Required Documents: 

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• Professional References

Yes

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

$50,703.10 - $112,704.90

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.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

28

Union

000- American Federation of Teachers , Local 2063

Job is Exempt

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Date

2025-04-15

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.

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