Middle School Social Studies Teacher

Copper Island Academy•Calumet, MI

17h

About The Position

Copper Island Academy is seeking a highly effective Middle School Social Studies Teacher to join our outstanding educational team. Do you embody the Finnish concept of “sisu”? Are you passionate about hands-on and phenomenon-based learning? Are you eager to be part of a collaborative team? Position Overview We are seeking a passionate and creative Middle School Social Studies Teacher to join our team immediately. The ideal candidate will engage students through hands-on, inquiry-based, and community-connected learning experiences that help students understand history, geography, economics, and civic life—while developing the knowledge and skills needed to be informed, responsible citizens. Position Overview We are seeking a passionate and creative Middle School Social Studies Teacher to join our team immediately. The ideal candidate will engage students through hands-on, inquiry-based, and community-connected learning experiences that help students understand history, geography, economics, and civic life—while developing the knowledge and skills needed to be informed, responsible citizens. If you are eager to ignite curiosity about history and civic life , empower middle school students as thoughtful, engaged citizens , and connect learning to community and real-world experiences, we invite you to apply for this rewarding role at Copper Island Academy . In addition to borrowing principles of the Finnish education system, we have great pride in our country and the strong foundations that have established our freedoms. We feel that it is essential for our students to develop a solid understanding of their civic responsibilities, and will emphasize and embrace our American roots, heritage, and values. At Copper Island Academy, teachers can expect: A Community of Support Professional Autonomy and Trust Competitive Compensation A Culture of High Expectations Applications must complete an application via the applicant portal and provide evidence of Teacher Certification.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Studies, History, Political Science, or a related field
Valid Michigan teaching certification with a Social Studies endorsement
Experience teaching Social Studies at the middle school level
Knowledge of or enthusiasm for Civics education, including democratic principles, government structures, civic engagement, and media literacy
Familiarity with Finnish educational practices (or willingness to learn and apply them)
Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills
A deep commitment to creating an engaging, joyful learning environment

Responsibilities

Design and deliver engaging, standards-aligned Social Studies instruction in Grades 7 and 8, including US & World History and Geography, Economics, and Civics
Use discussion, debate, project-based learning, and primary sources to build critical thinking and historical reasoning skills
Facilitate authentic Civics learning experiences such as mock elections, simulations, service-learning projects, public policy discussions, and student voice initiatives
Help students understand their role in local, state, and national communities and the responsibilities of democratic participation
Integrate current events and media literacy to help students analyze information critically and thoughtfully
Use instructional strategies that promote student ownership of learning, including inquiry projects, research, reflection, and student-led discussions
Encourage respectful dialogue, evidence-based reasoning, and civic discourse
Incorporate experiential learning opportunities such as historical simulations, community mapping, mock trials, and place-based learning connected to the Keweenaw Peninsula
Support interdisciplinary connections and outdoor or real-world learning experiences aligned with CIA’s Finnish-inspired model
Build connections between classroom learning and the local community by collaborating with civic leaders, historians, and community organizations
Support service-learning, oral history projects, and community-based Civics experiences
Use a variety of formative and summative assessments (projects, presentations, writing, portfolios) to monitor student growth
Provide timely, constructive feedback that supports student reflection and continuous improvement
Collaborate with colleagues to support interdisciplinary learning and a strong middle school team culture
Engage in ongoing professional development aligned with Finnish education practices and effective Social Studies and Civics instruction