Middle School Social Studies; 8th Grade Geography

Position: Middle School Social Studies (8th Grade Geography)
Position Type:
Middle School Teaching/Social Studies

Date Posted:
5/26/2026

Location:
Hastings Middle School
Position:
Hastings Middle School Social Studies Teacher - Grade 8 Geography

Location: Hastings Middle School
FTE: 1.0 FTE

Compensation / Benefits

Compensation per the Teacher Master Agreement.
This position is benefit eligible; please see the Teacher Master Agreement for details.

Position Purpose

Under the general supervision of the School Principal, the Grade 8 Social Studies Teacher will provide engaging, standards-aligned instruction in World Geography. The teacher will support students in developing geographic reasoning, critical thinking, inquiry skills, civic understanding, and the ability to analyze relationships between people, places, cultures, environments, and global systems.

General Duties / Essential Functions

• Provide and deliver Grade 8 Social Studies instruction, with a focus on World Geography, that incorporates the essential elements of effective instruction.
  • Plan and deliver instruction at appropriate levels of rigor in alignment with district curriculum and Minnesota social studies standards.
  • Teach specific learning objectives related to geography, history, inquiry, culture, economics, government, and civic understanding.
  • Use a variety of instructional strategies, methods, and learning principles to meet diverse learner needs and district outcomes.
• Develop instructional plans, lessons, projects, assessments, and support activities that present approved district curriculum in accordance with district goals and objectives.
• Design learning experiences that promote critical thinking, geographic literacy, inquiry, analysis of primary and secondary sources, collaboration, and real-world application.
• Assess student learning through formative and summative measures; use data to determine needs for reinforcement, intervention, enrichment, or instructional adjustment.
• Provide individualized and small-group instruction as needed to support student learning and growth.
• Organize and maintain accurate systems for attendance, grading, assessment data, and required student records in accordance with district procedures and applicable laws.
• Establish and maintain a safe, respectful, and organized classroom environment that promotes student responsibility, cooperation, engagement, and mutual respect.
• Communicate and uphold classroom, school, and district expectations for student behavior.
• Encourage family involvement and maintain clear, timely communication with students and parents/guardians regarding academic progress, strengths, concerns, and next steps.
• Collaborate with grade-level colleagues, content-area teams, support staff, and administrators to address student needs, align curriculum, analyze data, and support building goals.
• Participate in Professional Learning Communities, faculty meetings, committees, student support meetings, and district initiatives as assigned.
• Provide instructional leadership to support staff assigned to the classroom when applicable.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the building principal or district administrators.

Required Qualifications / Licensure

• Licensure appropriate to teach Social Studies to students in grades 5 8.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Education or a related discipline applicable to the teaching assignment.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required;
  Master's degree in a related area preferred.
• Successful prior teaching experience at the middle school level preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge base and experience in Geography.
• Previous experience working with middle school students.
• Evidence of strong relationship-building skills with students, families, and colleagues.
• Strong commitment to effective pedagogical practices, including:
  • Team planning and collaboration
  • Highly engaging and authentic social studies instruction
  • Differentiation for diverse learners
  • Formative assessment practices
  • Inquiry-based learning and real-world application
• Commitment to supporting students' academic, social, emotional, interpersonal, and ethical growth.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of current teaching methods,…