Laboratory Schools: Math Consultant, Early Childhood, Part-Time
Job Description
Department
Lab School Primary School Faculty
About the Department
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 Information
Job Summary:
The Mathematics Department seeks a teacher to serve as an Early Childhood Mathematics Consultant, supporting the alignment and coherence of the school’s mathematics program across early childhood and the elementary grades. This role is situated within the Math Department and works in close collaboration with Early Childhood homeroom teachers, the Early Childhood Math Specialist, and Grades 3–5 math co-teachers.
The Consultant will collaborate with homeroom teachers to support the development and implementation of engaging, thoughtful, and developmentally appropriate math instruction. This role focuses on both horizontal alignment across Early Childhood classrooms and vertical alignment between Early Childhood and the broader mathematics program. The Consultant will also help identify, evaluate, and curate instructional resources that support both core curriculum and enrichment opportunities.
The Consultant builds strong relationships with teachers, students, and colleagues in order to foster a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility for student learning. They are expected to support clear, consistent communication about student progress and to work closely with colleagues on the ongoing development of the mathematics program.
We are looking for an educator who enjoys thinking deeply about mathematics, is committed to meeting the needs of diverse learners, and is comfortable working across multiple classrooms and teaching styles. This candidate demonstrates flexibility, strong collaboration skills, and a commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity and problem-solving in young learners. Ideal candidates demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion, including cultural competency skills.
All faculty members are expected to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and are expected to work the required days as stipulated in that agreement.
Responsibilities:
Support a nurturing, challenging, and inclusive mathematics learning environment across Early Childhood classrooms.
Collaborate with grade level teams to plan and support mathematics instruction across multiple classrooms.
Work with the Early Childhood Math Specialist and Grades 3–5 math co-teachers to support horizontal and vertical alignment of curriculum, instructional practices, student expectations, and assessment practices
Identify, evaluate, and curate instructional materials and tools to support both core instruction and enrichment opportunities.
Support the integration of problem-solving, conceptual understanding, and mathematical reasoning into daily instruction.
Engage and collaborate with other faculty and administrative members regularly.
Maintain high standards of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality in all interactions.
Interpret and use data and observations to inform instructional planning and program development.
Monitor student learning, growth, and progress, to identify strengths, opportunities for growth, and next steps.
Collaborate with homeroom teachers and Learning and Counseling team members to support students and inform instruction.
Support the ongoing development and alignment of the Early Childhood mathematics program in collaboration with the math department and school leadership.
Consult regularly with homeroom teachers, specialists, and administrators.
Attend required math department, division, grade-level, and school-wide meetings as necessary.
Competencies:
Demonstrated knowledge of early childhood elementary mathematics content and progression required.
Strong knowledge of child development, particularly in early childhood and early elementary grades, required.
Knowledge of instructional methodologies and co-teaching practices required.
Skilled in using visual and tactile tools with young learners to support conceptual understanding required.
Ability to support curriculum development, alignment, and resource curation required.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills required.
Organizational, computational skills and attention to detail required.
Ability to adapt to varying classroom contexts and teaching styles required.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with a wide range of colleagues required.
Knowledge of diversity and inclusion practices in mathematics education required.
Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively required.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines required.
Ability to maintain confidentiality required.
Additional Responsibilities
Education, Experience, or Certifications:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree required.
Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
Mathematics or early childhood/elementary education certification preferred.
Experience:
Three years of classroom teaching experience in early childhood (N-2) required.
Co-teaching and collaborative planning experience preferred.
Curriculum development and alignment experience required.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
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:
Cover letter
Resume
Professional references
Brief statement of philosophy regarding:
Ways in which your qualifications can help Lab achieve its goals of inclusivity.
Approach to teaching
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Benefit Eligibility
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.
Pay Rate Type
Pay Range
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
Union
Job is Exempt
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Posting Date
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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