Middle School Social Studies Teacher (K-8) - Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts

Great things are happening at Battle Creek Public Schools!

Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS) is located in Calhoun County, Michigan (between Chicago and Detroit), serving the City of Battle Creek as well as parts of Emmett, Pennfield and Bedford townships, and the City of Springfield. With a bold goal of achieving 100% success for every Bearcat, we offer a broad range of educational experiences to meet the individual needs of students at all levels, including experiential learning, individualized instruction, advanced and accelerated curricula, and outdoor education.

In 2017, BCPS received an historic investment from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and we are continuing our transformation plan, advancing bold, top-to-bottom changes to provide a world-class career, college, and community-ready education for every student, in every grade, at every school. In May of 2023, we were thrilled to announce an average teacher pay increase of more than $10,000, positioning us as one of the best-paying districts for teachers in Southwest Michigan.

We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits (including up to $20k in home purchase assistance), and opportunities for professional development. Apply now and join the Bearcat family!


Position Summary:
The Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts seeks a passionate and innovative Middle School Social Studies Teacher to engage and inspire students in grades 6-8 through a dynamic, student-centered learning environment. The ideal candidate will design lessons that bring historical, cultural, and societal concepts to life, encouraging students to think critically and creatively. By integrating social studies with language arts, mathematics, science, and technology, the teacher will help students make meaningful connections across disciplines. This learning environment will prioritize inquiry-based learning, hands-on exploration, and self-expression, while thoughtful modifications and differentiated instruction address individual student needs. It will also foster the development of critical thinking, collaboration, empathy, cultural awareness, and communication skills.
This role offers the unique opportunity to create a flexible, personalized classroom where students connect academic content to their interests and strengths. By exposing students to diverse perspectives and traditions, the teacher will foster empathy, self-awareness, and cultural competency, empowering students to address societal and global challenges with compassion and critical thinking. Collaboration with colleagues, participation in professional development, and partnerships with community organizations will enrich interdisciplinary learning experiences, inspiring students to think creatively, excel academically, and build a lifelong commitment to social responsibility.


*Please note: This position is for the 2025-2026 school year.*


Position Responsibilities:

Instructional Delivery

• Arts-Integrated Social Studies Instruction: Develop engaging, arts-integrated social studies lessons that connect historical events, cultural traditions, and societal values with artistic expression across theatre, music, dance, visual arts, media, and other academic subjects.
• Grade-Level Focus: Enhance student understanding of social studies by exploring history, culture, and societal themes through artistic expression. Develop interdisciplinary projects for students to apply historical concepts to create works emphasizing structure, narrative, and aesthetic appeal. Encourage meaningful connections between historical content and real-world applications, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and an appreciation for how social studies and the arts intersect to reflect and shape societies.
• Student-Centered Learning: Create individualized learning opportunities connecting social studies, history, and cultural relevance with artistic endeavors and disciplines.
• Classroom Culture and Studio Environment: Establish a studio-like classroom atmosphere where students explore and engage in dynamic, interdisciplinary projects blending history and culture with the arts to foster self-expression and inquiry-based learning. Create an inclusive and safe space where students feel empowered to take ownership of their creative process, building empathy, adaptability, and social responsibility. Encourage self-expression, respect, and collaboration, supporting artistic growth and personal development through engaging, experiential learning.
• Differentiated Instruction: Tailor lessons to meet diverse student needs, ensuring students have meaningful, accessible, and challenging experiences in your classroom.
• Portfolio Development: Guide students in creating portfolios showcasing personal growth, goal setting, and social responsibility through history, cultural relevance, reflective journaling, and project documentation.
• Assessment and Reflection: Develop assessments that evaluate students’ understanding of history and artistic concepts, encouraging reflection on how history has informed culture, the arts, and their creative work. Guide students in analyzing historical and cultural applications in their projects through self-reflection and peer critiques.

Performance and Creation

• Foster creativity by allowing students to represent culturally relevant narratives, historical events, and societal themes through artistic projects in music, dance, visual arts, and media.
• Encourage students to create works that reflect their understanding of social, cultural, and historical contexts, enhancing their ability to express complex ideas through artistic expression.
• Provide opportunities for students to perform and present their projects, engaging in reflective discussions about the cultural significance of their work.

Collaboration and Professional Development

• Professional Growth: Engage in continuous learning to refine arts-integrated instruction, DEI principles, student-centered learning, and climate management practices.
• Professional Learning: Participate in ongoing professional development to stay current on best practices in social studies and arts-integrated instruction.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Partner with faculty across arts and academic departments to design integrated curricula that link social studies with artistic practices and academics.
• Collaborate with Colleagues and Community Partners: Work with other educators and community organizations to provide integrated educational experiences connecting social studies and culture with broader learning goals that support authentic, interdisciplinary learning experiences, experiential learning opportunities, and community sustainability.
• Parental Communication and Engagement: Maintain regular communication with parents on student progress and development, while fostering an actively supportive and informed school community.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies, Education, or a related field. Master’s degree in Social Studies Education or related field preferred.
• Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with a Social Studies (CQ, CX, or RX) endorsement, or ability to obtain certification
• Familiarity with the Michigan Social Studies and Arts Standards
• Prior experience in a student-centered, arts-integration, or project-based learning environment
• Experience in arts-based teaching or as a practicing artist
• Experience in teaching middle school students in an urban setting

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong understanding of arts integration and how to connect social studies content with the arts and other academic disciplines
• Comfort with performing arts-based instruction in theatre, dance, music, visual arts, and medi.
• Knowledge of or willingness to adopt the Studio Habits of Mind framework and CASEL’s social-emotional learning competencies
• Ability to create and manage a studio-like classroom environment
• Demonstrate ability to engage the interest of school-age children
• Ability to engage in hands-on activities and experiments with students
• Demonstrate commitment to all students' well-being and success, including adaptability in lesson planning and teaching to support students with diverse needs and skill levels
• Commitment to ongoing professional development, eagerness to learn, and effectively collaborate with colleagues, arts partners, and community members
• Excellent verbal/written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Patience, flexibility, and a willingness to take risks

Core Values and Professional Standards:

• Commitment to School Vision: Align instruction and culture-building efforts with the school’s mission to nurture adaptable, compassionate global citizens, fostering growth in creative, intellectual, and social-emotional domains.
• Student-Centered Teaching and Learning: Provide opportunities for students to take ownership of their education through active participation, personalized instruction, and collaborative reflection.
• Arts-Integrated Education: Actively use creative expression to foster social responsibility and holistic student development, integrating arts practices across disciplines to deepen understanding and enhance learning.
• Collaborative Leadership: Engage with colleagues, families, and community partners to create a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment that reflects shared values and promotes collective success.
• Excellence in Teaching: Commit to developing students into creative, intellectual, and responsible global citizens through high-quality instruction, effective climate management, and arts-integrated practices.
• Commitment to Fairness and Opportunity: Advocate for fairness and the equal treatment of all students, ensuring opportunities for success in the arts and beyond while fostering a supportive and welcoming environment.

Salary: $50,000 -$82,010 (Potential for additional stipends)
Additional signing bonus of up to $1,500 for New Hire teachers, payable upon commencement of employment

Contract: 188 Days (10 months)


SCHOOL SAFETY CLEARANCE: The successful candidate will be subject to a fingerprint and background check as a condition of employment. All fees required for this check (estimated $73.00) will be the responsibility of the successful applicant.


The Battle Creek Public School District is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, handicap, sex, age, religion, national origin, weight, height, or marital status in its employment practices.