Middle School Social Studies Teacher

Position Overview

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?

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.

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.

• 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

• Design and deliver engaging, standards‑aligned Social Studies instruction in Grades 7 and 8, including US & World History, 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

• Health Insurance:
  Medical, Vision, & Dental Plans
• 4% 401(k) company contribution
• Life, ADD, STD, LTD 100% paid by the employer
• Voluntary Plans Available

Applications must complete an application via the applicant portal and provide evidence of Teacher Certification.

For more information on Copper Island Academy, please visit our website perislandacademy.org/careers/.

CS Partners/Partner Solutions provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, height, weight, or any other protected status under federal, state or local laws.