The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS) Laboratory School is a Nursery – Grade 6 school in downtown Toronto, committed to exemplary teaching, teacher education, and research in an intentionally diverse environment. The Laboratory School is dedicated to the exploration and dissemination of best practices.
Current Opportunities
Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS) Lab School
Hiring Opportunity:
Long-Term Occasional Opportunity – Visual Arts Teacher
Start Date: Immediate
100% Position (Until the End of the 2025-2026 School Year)
Application Closing Date: December 12, 2025
The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS) Laboratory School at the ¥ (OISE), University of Toronto, is the oldest laboratory school in Canada. Established in 1925, it will celebrate its centennial in the 2025–2026 school year. JICS serves children from Nursery to Grade 6 with a threefold mandate: exemplary education for its 200 students, graduate teacher education, and research in an intentionally diverse environment. The school contributes to advancing strong educational practices in Canada and internationally.
The successful candidate will teach Visual Arts to all nine grade levels—Nursery, Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten, and Grades 1 through 6. Each grade has a single cohort that is divided into two half-groups of approximately 11–12 students. The Visual Arts teacher meets with each half-group once per week in their school studio, providing small-group, hands-on instruction that supports meaningful engagement and strong teacher–student connections.
JICS Lab School teachers foster a safe and engaging learning environment that inspires exploration, creativity, curiosity, and confidence. The school values diversity and a deeply interconnected community where all members feel respected and supported. Teachers work collaboratively as part of an educational team.
Key Responsibilities
- Create a joyful, engaging, and inclusive learning environment that nurtures creativity and confidence.
- Plan and deliver an enriched Visual Arts program that supports the developmental needs of students from Nursery to Grade 6.
- Introduce and develop age-appropriate art skills, concepts, and techniques, using the Ontario Curriculum as a guiding framework.
- Provide opportunities for students to explore a wide range of artistic materials and media.
- Curate and maintain displays of student artwork throughout the school.
- Assess and document student learning; prepare report cards and communicate progress to families as required.
- Contribute actively to the collaborative, team-based culture of the school.
- Supervise students during assigned weekly recess duties.
- Lead or support extracurricular Art Clubs.
- Plan and deliver the annual school-wide “Art Night,” showcasing student work to the community.
Qualifications & Experience
- Formal education or training in Visual Arts or Art Education.
- Demonstrated success teaching visual arts to groups of young children in school or community settings.
- Strong classroom management skills and the ability to create a positive, well-structured learning environment.
- Ontario College of Teachers Certification (Primary/Junior) is an asset.
- A commitment to reflective practice and ongoing professional learning.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and contribute to a diverse and inclusive school community.
We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities.
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Application Process
Qualified applicants should submit:
- CV
- Application letter
- Two letters of reference
Deadline: Friday, December 12, 2025
Submit applications to:
Richard Messina, Principal
Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
¥ | University of Toronto
c/o Simone Serafini simone.serafini@mail.utoronto.ca
More Information
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from racialized persons, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ individuals.
Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS) Lab School
Hiring Opportunity:
Part-Time Classroom Assistant
Start Date: September 2, 2025
Application Closing Date: August 26, 2025
About us:
The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School (JICS) is a Nursery to 6th Grade School at the University of Toronto. Our mission is to provide excellence in elementary education, teacher education, and research in an intentionally diverse environment. The JICS Lab School provides an environment that fosters research and professional inquiry. The School makes a significant contribution to the education, human development, and applied psychology work within our University and in the wider educational community in Canada and internationally. The JICS Lab School also serves a role in preparing pre-service teachers for their professional life through its contributions to the JICS Master of Arts in Child Study and Education program, providing both practicum experience, mentoring and course instruction by our teaching staff.
Please visit our website for more information about our philosophy and teaching practices:
Your opportunity:
The Part-Time Classroom Assistant may assist their assigned teacher in the daily life of the classroom, including the preparation and clean-up of materials, activities and curriculum, and organization of student work. The Part-Time Classroom Assistant may work as part of a team of early childhood educators, classroom teachers, or specialty teachers to provide programming for students from Nursery to Grade 6.
The Classroom Assistant will also work with JICS staff in ensuring the overall health and safety of all children by maintaining a sanitary and safe environment; providing assistance with arranging children’s spaces to reflect the philosophy of the school, and maintaining responsive relationships with children.
Your Responsibilities May Include:
- Implementing the delivery of developmentally appropriate programming for students Nursery to Grade 6.
- Assisting in preparation of space, materials, and equipment required for daily programming.
- Working with small groups and/or one-to-one instruction of children.
- Specific duties decided by classroom/specialty teacher E.g. storage and cataloguing of library books; office administration duties; preparing materials for an art class; assisting early-years students in daily routine, including serving snacks, dressing students for outdoors and preparing activities.
Essential Qualifications:
- Direct experience working with children in large groups, small groups, and one-to-one settings.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; able to establish rapport and communicate effectively with children, families, and team members.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative, flexibility, and sound judgment in handling unpredictable situations.
- A collaborative team player who fosters a supportive work environment while upholding high-quality programming standards for children.
- Ability to work independently as well as contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
Additional Qualities We Value
- Comfort and skills with technology.
- First Aid certification.
- Undergraduate or graduate students, particularly with a focus on education or child development.
- An interest in pursuing a career in teaching or working with children.
Flexible Hours
Applicants must be available to work approximately 5-15 hours per week. Some work will be flexible and can be completed anytime. However, most work will be scheduled hours during the school day, between 8:30am and 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Compensation
Assistants will fill in weekly time sheets. Payment is $20 per hour.
Qualified applicants are asked to submit a CV, cover letter, and two letters of reference by email to:
Simone Serafini, Administrative Assistant & In-House Supply Teacher
Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
¥ | University of Toronto
Email: simone.serafini@mail.utoronto.ca
We thank all interested applicants; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. All candidates are encouraged to apply, however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Join our list of teachers to be called in for occasional supply work
Starting date: September 2023
Established in 1925, the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School (JICS) at the ¥ (OISE), the University of Toronto, is the oldest Laboratory School in Canada. The JICS Laboratory School serves children from Nursery to Grade 6. It has a threefold mandate: exemplary education for the 200 children who attend the school, graduate teacher education, and research, all these in an intentionally diverse environment. The JICS Laboratory School makes a noted contribution to the understanding of strong educational practices in elementary schools in Canada and around the world.
JICS teachers create a secure learning environment for their students, one that inspires exploration, creativity, curiosity, and confidence to flourish. The JICS Laboratory School honours diversity and values a deeply interconnected community, in which all members feel known, respected, and supported as active participants. Teachers work as part of a collaborative team of educators.
Key responsibilities include:
- Implementing indoor and outdoor daily classroom activities and lessons
- Promoting an engaging and secure environment to foster student learning
- Mentoring student teachers on placement in the classroom
We seek applicants with the following professional qualifications and experience:
- Ontario College of Teachers Certification (OCT Primary/Junior) preferred for elementary classrooms
- College of Early Childhood Educators (RECE) certification preferred for early years classrooms
- Minimum of two years teaching experience preferred
- Completed Additional Qualifications will be an asset
- First Aid skills an asset
Qualified applicants are asked to submit a CV, cover letter, and two letters of reference by email to:
Chriss Bogert, Vice Principal
Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
¥ | University of Toronto
Email: chriss.bogert@utoronto.ca
We thank all interested applicants; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. All candidates are encouraged to apply, however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
