Become a History TeacherHistory in the making: Discover the joy of teaching history Choose a Teaching Specialty | All Education Articles & Resources | Find Education Schools If you're a whiz at historic dates and facts and love the idea of feeding hungry minds, you might consider a career as a history teacher. History teachers usually teach at middle school, high school and college levels. Although classroom curricula vary depending on the level and course you're teaching, you'll have plenty of opportunities to share your knowledge of past events and your passion for learning. Just What Does a History Teacher Do?
Since the subject of history is as complex and expansive as the world itself, you will find opportunities to specialize and become a European, Asian, African or American history teacher, or find your calling in teaching ancient history or other specific time periods. You may find yourself embracing the larger picture as a world history teacher. Also, depending on your institution's curriculum and the age of your students, you may end up teaching history as well as social studies courses. Where Can I Expect to Work?Although teaching history is a competitive field and may require a nationwide job search to find employment, giving yourself the flexibility to teach social sciences alongside history will greatly improve your chances of finding employment. As a history teacher, you may find yourself in one of these settings:
Read an interview with a Chicago-area history teacher for tips on landing a job in today's market. What About History Teacher Salaries?You can enjoy fairly dependable job security teaching history. Along with an extensive summer vacation, teachers can expect to receive competitive wages and substantial benefits packages, including pension plans. According to Salary.com, full-time history professors earn an average annual salary of $80,353, and high school history teachers make an average of $50,947. They both enjoy many of the same great benefits. Earning seniority and completing advanced education are the most common ways to increase your earning potential. What Kind of Training Do I Need?To become a high school history teacher, at minimum you'll need a bachelor's degree in education along with a major or minor in history or social science. If you already have a bachelor's degree without a history emphasis, you will most likely need to take additional history and teacher training courses to meet your state's teaching requirements. Some states require all teachers to receive master's degrees. Check with the Department of Education in your state for requirements in your area. If you already have a bachelor's degree in English but haven't completed a teaching program, you should see if your state offers a professional development program. These 1-year programs partner universities with secondary schools to allow students to teach firsthand under professional guidance. To teach history at the community college level, you will need a minimum of a master's degree in all cases, but if you are interested in teaching at a university, you'll need a PhD or EdD in order to be considered. Are There Certification Requirements?Although each state has its own certification guidelines, teaching history in middle or high school always begins with a 4-year degree. If you already hold a bachelor's degree but lack the history and/or teaching credentials, you can earn a fifth year master's degree in one year or simply complete state requirements at a local college or university. Some states require completion of continuing education courses to stay certified. These course requirements differ from state to state. However, continuing education is a great way to improve your skills, maintain certification and increase your salary. As a history teacher, you'll not only teach history, you'll make it. You'll have the ability to make a difference in your students' lives by fostering core learning skills, including reading comprehension, analytical thinking and persuasive argumentation. In return for your knowledge and teaching efforts, you'll enjoy extensive vacation time throughout the school year, competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages. What are you waiting for? "Not Just the Facts, Ma'am"Teaching history isn't just about dusting off the old history books and reciting facts. As a classroom teacher, you will cover world history, U.S. history, civics, geography, social studies, and possibly economics. Many of these topics are ripe for discussion and perhaps even debate, especially if the curriculum ties in with a current event. As a history teacher, you have a rare opportunity to encourage your students to think independently about the world in which they live and make a difference that lasts well into the next generation. Related Articles: |
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