Laboratory Schools: English Teacher, High School

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.

Lab School High School Faculty

The English Department aims to cultivate thoughtful, reflective, and independent readers and writers. We believe in the power of literature to inspire, question, and broaden perspectives. Our goal is not only to equip students with critical analytical, interpretative, and writing skills but also to foster a lifelong love of literature that students carry into the world.

Our English program starts with foundational, collaboratively designed courses for 9th and 10th graders, carefully scaffolded to develop close reading and argumentation skills. In 11th and 12th grade, students choose from theme- or genre-based electives, where they use an evidence-first approach to develop original critical essays. Rather than structuring courses by traditional categories such as American or British literature, we invite students to explore a wide range of identities, historical periods, genres, and human experiences throughout their four years.

In addition, the program encourages creative and self expression through personal narratives, poetry translation, cross-textual explorations, play writing, and other creative projects.

Teachers are expected to create an environment that allows students to think critically, creatively, and independently; to foster engaging class discussions; to guide students through a clear and structured writing process; and to adapt instruction to accommodate various learning styles.

Anticipated start date for this position is 8/24/2026.

• Teachers are responsible for working collaboratively to develop curriculum with their course teams; for supervising students both in and out of the classroom; and for continually updating their teaching methods to ensure students receive a high-quality educational experience.
• Teachers are expected to foster trusting relationships with students, and to collaborate and communicate with families, other faculty, and staff in support of student learning. We are looking for team members who will emanate optimism, solve problems collaboratively, reflect on how one’s actions impact others, contribute to an engaging and inclusive school culture, and share in the united pursuit of Lab’s mission.
• The English Department is responsible for educating students in grades 9-12. The courses taught by the department are designed to teach reading, writing, and thinking skills, and the content of the courses is chosen to support those goals.
• English teachers report to their respective Principals and are responsible to the English Department Chair. The high school currently supports separate History and English departments and the middle school supports a combined Humanities department.
• All teachers 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.

• 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/scheduling software, etc.) required.

• Bachelor's degree in English or a related field (ie. comparative…