To help you in your search, here’s our list of five great schools for teachers in Michigan. We hope this helps you find the classroom that’s right for you.

1. International Academy
With three campuses and over 1,000 students, the International Academy is a top-tier public school with ample teaching opportunities. The school services high schoolers from 17 different Michigan counties and is the nation’s first all International Baccaluareate diploma public high school. Since opening in 1996, the International Academy has grown to become widely regarded as one of the best high schools in Michigan due to its track record of offering a unique combination of rigorous academics, career-centric instruction, and space for personal and creative growth. This is an excellent place for any teacher, no matter what point in their career, as they will be in the classroom with motivated, directed and aspirational students.

2. Greenhills School
The Greenhills School is an independent private institution located in Ann Arbor. Known for its excellence in mathematics and science, Greenhills was recently awarded the Intel School of Distinction Award, which recognizes the high school with the best science program in the country. This merit was no accident: The school has invested heavily in state-of-the art technologies, including two full computer labs, 10 computers dedicated solely to the study of physics, high-end microscopes and lab equipment, and — most recently — wireless laptop computers for classroom use. But that’s not all: Greenhills is proud of its offerings in the realms of art, music and theater, as well as many extracurriucular opportunities. If you are a teacher with a passion for something beyond teaching, you are likely to have the chance to involve yourself as a coach, club mentor or advisor. All this alongside an impressive 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio makes Greenhills one of the best schools in Michigan for teachers.

3. Casa Richard Academy
This award-winning tuition-free charter school in Detroit does not fit the mold of the other schools on this list. Casa Richard Academy is an all-black high school that serves the downtown Detroit area. CRA makes this list because sometimes teaching isn’t about prestige, salary or technology (although CRA has its fair share of all three); sometimes teaching is about changing lives and making a difference. This story from the Michigan Association of Public School Academics website says it all: “Tim Constant is a white teacher in the all-black Casa Richard Academy, yet he’s a leader in connecting with students and changing lives. His primary role is as high school social studies teacher, but he’s also created a dance class, two law classes and team-teaches a forensics class with a science teacher. He’s a master at making education relevant to his students, 80 percent of whom qualify for subsidized lunch and 80 persent of whom had struggled in other school settings.

In 2006, his students took first place with their newly written constitution in the American Bar Association’s national Law Day Review contest. It taught them to have ideas, speak up and take action.”

4. Cranbrook School
The Cranbrook School is one of the nation’s most prestigious and successful college-preparatory boarding schools. With a long list of academic achievements by its students and an equally impressive college acceptances track record, Cranbrook is an ideal place for teachers looking to interact with high-performing students. Cranbrook is the type of place where you will find yourself staying late with students to puzzle through a tough math problem or debate politics —  and not because you or they are required to. Like many other private schools, and particularly boarding schools, Cranbrook offers competitive salaries and is at up-to-date on educational technologies. If working at a boarding school sounds like something you would be interested in, Cranbrook is definitely the place to go.

5. Detroit Country Day School
Since its founding in 1914, Detroit Country Day School has provided a premier education to students in a wholesome, safe environment. One of the most prestigious schools for teachers, Detroit Country Day employs a large number of impressive educators, many of whom have doctorates and other advanced degrees. The school is dedicated to training a well-rounded student who excels in all all disciplines — academics, arts, athletics and extracurricular activities. With its beautiful facilities, heralded faculty and a student body dedicated to learning, DCDS is a place any teacher would hope to work at.

Most students love a change of pace. Sitting in a classroom day after day can become tiresome and predictable, so it’s up to you to keep things fresh and exciting for your students. As a science teacher, you are liable to fall into a comfortable rut, teaching out of a textbook and getting things done the easy way. But we all know that what differentiates the good teachers from the great is the ability to get your students thinking and doing.

One way to attract your students to the study of science is to sprinkle in fun and easy science projects for your students to get their hands dirty with. A science fair is a great way to teach your students about long-term investment in a project and about the proper application of the scientific method. To help you out, we put together a list of five great science projects; some are award-winning science fair projects, others are just a great way to get your students excited about the world of science.

Cool Roofs
More often than not, students are able to glean the most valuable knowledge from lessons that draw on aspects of their lives that are tangible — for example, roofs. In this project, the students investigate the influence of roof color on the energy efficiency of homes in their neighborhood. This project won first prize in the 2010 Canada-Wide Virtual Science Fair and can be modified to match the appropriate grade level of your students.

Flying Cars
Once a student’s imagination is piqued, there’s no guessing what he or she will think of next. In this case, our young scientist displays her winning middle school science fair project. Clearly, this winner was endowed with a healthy imagination as well as a thirst for scientific knowledge. In the experiment, the student tells us how she was able to harness the power of electricity to create an uncommon mechanism for flight. And although you don’t actually get to see her prototype lift off, she has all the equipment and some good pictures of the flight. Her project displays a mastery of difficult scientific concepts but can certainly be re-purposed for any classroom setting. It can also be offered as an idea for a challenging, yet extremely rewarding, science fair project. All in all, this is a great project for your students who love science and whose imaginations you hope to spark.

Cornstarch Monster
Want a great science project for Halloween season? Or maybe you have a student who’s into monsters and ghosts, and is looking for a fun and easy science fair project. This video clip features a scientist father with his inquisitive son. Together they show us how sound wave frequencies affect and alter the physical qualities of a cornstarch-and-water mixture. The experiment is aptly titled, and the payoff at the end is actually quite entertaining. This will surely get your class excited about understanding the science behind the monster. Some uncommon equipment is required to do this experiment properly.

Global Warming in a Jar
It sounds strange, but creating “global warming in a jar” is an excellent way to teach the science behind an extremely topical subject to your students. You may not be able to fit the globe in a jar, but you will be able to mimic the way gasses interact with infrared light to create the greenhouse effect that has caused an environmental and political maelstrom within the past decade. The experiment itself is simple enough, although it requires some uncommon equipment. It would make an excellent science fair project or in-class activity.

Algae and Biofuel
In this YouTube clip, we are introduced to a Canada-Wide Science Fair winner in eight grade. Her story does not just give you a good idea for a rather advanced science project; it serves to show you that students truly have infinite potential. A student like this one should be an inspiration not only to your students, but to you as a teacher. She is smart, eloquent and interested in the science that she researched. Teachers with accelerated students should use this project, which deals with growing algae (a process that can be done safely and simply at home or in the classroom), if they want to give their students a feel for serious application of the scientific method. This is a far cry from a cornstarch monster.

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South Korea has become a popular destination for those wanting to teach abroad. The people of South Korea value education, and the country boasts a highly rated national educational system, ranked first in the world in reading literacy and second in mathematics, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. With a mix of modern and traditional culture, South Korea offers American educators the opportunity of a truly unique teaching experience.
Because South Korean students are eager to learn English from native speakers, you’ll find many online job listings for teaching English in South Korea. However, it can be difficult for foreign teachers to find the best schools and residences, so it’s wise to consult reliable sources before departing to teach English in South Korea.
These are some of the best resources for teachers who are interested in working in South Korea:

• Berlitz is one of the world’s leading providers of language instruction, operating more than 550 Language Centers in more than 70 countries. Berlitz South Korea offers English language programs for individual students and corporate clients, as well as training courses for global leadership in business. Teachers can contact Berlitz through the company website to find out about job opportunities.
• Wall Street Institute is another English language educational company that operates more than 400 instruction centers around the world. The company was recently acquired by Pearson, a leading provider of educational services. The Wall Street Institute website is a good resource for job postings, as well as tips on avoiding recruitment scams and information about obtaining a work visa.
• Transitions Abroad is an online magazine that provides information about cultural immersion while working, traveling and living abroad. The website includes several articles about teaching in South Korea, as well as information about teaching programs and placement agencies.
• English Program in Korea (EPIK) is a one-year program for teaching English in South Korean public schools or training centers. The EPIK program, which is administered by the Korean government, includes airfare, health insurance and housing. A bachelor’s degree is required, and a TEFL certification can increase salary.
• The website for the U.S. Embassy in Seoul provides information and services for U.S. Citizens who are traveling to South Korea. Teachers who plan to work in South Korea should also visit the U.S. Department of State’s Travel.State.gov to learn about general guidelines for international travel, as well as specific details about living and working in South Korea. Teachers can also prepare for life in South Korea by visiting the Korean Tourism Organization to learn about the country’s culture, food, shopping and attractions.
• The Regional English Language Office (RELO) is a branch of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. RELO provides assistance for English language professionals, including teaching materials, training and support for professional development. Another government resource is English Language Teaching Forum magazine, which is published by the U.S. Department of State for teachers of English as a second or foreign language.
• The Chosun Ilbo (Korea Daily News) is one of South Korea’s most popular newspapers. A digital English-language version is available on the Chosun.com website. Established in 1920, the Chosun Ilbo has played an important role in the history of Korea. Teachers can learn about current events and culture in Korea by reading the Chosun or one of the other English-language Korean newspapers that can be found online.
• Finally, it can be helpful to read firsthand accounts about teaching English in South Korea. The ESL Base website has a forum with advice from teachers who are currently working or have worked in South Korea. The website also has job listings and information about language schools in South Korea. Dave’s ESL Café also hosts a job discussion forum for teachers in South Korea.