Founding Middle School Social Studies Teacher | Cedar Rapids Prep

Founding Middle School Social Studies Teacher | Cedar Rapids Prep

www.cedarrapidsprep.org 

About Cedar Rapids Prep

Cedar Rapids Prep is a new public charter school opening in August 2025 to serve 300 sixth and seventh grade students in its inaugural year. The school will add an additional grade level each year, building out a full comprehensive middle and high school that offers academic excellence, a wide array of extracurriculars, and hyper-focused college prep experience. As one of our flagship schools for Opportunity Education, Cedar Rapids Prep aims to set a model for schools nationwide.

About the Role: Middle School Social Studies Teacher

The Founding Social Studies Teacher will play a critical role in shaping a rigorous, engaging, and supportive learning environment where all students develop a strong understanding of history, civics, geography, and global perspectives

As a founding teacher at Cedar Rapids Prep, you will have the opportunity to build a dynamic and inquiry-driven social studies program that fosters critical thinking, civic engagement, and a deep understanding of historical and contemporary issues. Your role will involve delivering high-quality instruction, designing and facilitating engaging discussions, collaborating with colleagues to align curriculum and instructional practices, leveraging student data for continuous improvement, and helping students develop the analytical and communication skills essential for future careers and academic pursuits

Reporting to the school principal, with regular coaching from the school's Dean of Academics, this role is ideal for an educator who is passionate about social studies, skilled in engaging students of diverse backgrounds, and excited about being part of an innovative school model that prioritizes academic excellence, student agency, and college readiness

Responsibilities

As a dynamic and growing organization, responsibilities will evolve; however, core areas of focus include

Instruction Delivery & Curriculum Development (65%)

• Deliver engaging and rigorous instruction in alignment with state standards, college readiness assessments, and school priorities
• Develop and implement student-centered lesson plans that promote historical inquiry, critical thinking, and real-world connections
• Design and facilitate engaging discussions, simulations, and project-based learning experiences that help students analyze and apply historical and social concepts
• Utilize a variety of instructional strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners, including primary source analysis, debates, case studies, and digital resources
• Regularly assess student progress using a combination of formative and summative assessments to guide instruction
• Provide students with clear, actionable feedback that supports growth in historical thinking and argumentation

Student Engagement & Support (20%)

• Build strong relationships with students, fostering a culture of high expectations, accountability, and support
• Serve as an Advisory teacher, mentoring a small group of students in academic and personal growth throughout their experience at Cedar Rapids Prep
• Differentiate instruction and provide targeted interventions to ensure all students succeed, including students who may need additional support in reading and writing non-fiction texts
• Collaborate with Special Education staff and other support personnel to meet the needs of all learners, including those with IEPs or 504 plans
• Contribute to the development of a strong civic-minded school culture through tutoring, clubs, or extracurricular opportunities such as Model UN, debate team, student government, or history club

Collaboration & Professional Growth (10%)

• Work closely with fellow teachers and school leadership to align curriculum, assessment, and instructional strategies
• Participate in school-wide professional development to continuously refine instructional practice, including regular data and assessment reflection cycles
• Engage in feedback cycles with the Dean of Academics and Principal to improve teaching effectiveness

Family & Community Engagement (5%)

• Communicate regularly with families about student progress, celebrating successes and addressing challenges proactively
• Participate in school events, family conferences, and outreach efforts to build strong relationships with families and the community
• Help students and families see the relevance of history and social studies in their everyday lives, civic responsibiliti