Do you want to know how to become a history teacher? Well, it involves both education and experience. Knowing the common requirements for this job helps you to refine your application. This puts you in a position to not only obtain the job but do it well. Those who want to become history teachers should keep in mind what level of student they hope to teach as this greatly affects the requirements.
Read on to get a brief guide on how to become a history teacher and what you’ll be doing if you become one. Those who hope to get into this field should not expect a huge salary right away. However, the right requirements can make them more effective and profitable in their chosen field.
How to Become a History Teacher: Job Description
History teachers have numerous responsibilities, including some not immediately apparent. Their main job involves teaching students in a specific grade level from middle, high, and postsecondary levels. They try to encourage meaningful discussions about history and current social issues. They don’t often make their own views apparent, however. Instead, they try to organize lessons in a way that helps kids get the facts that will eventually turn into their views.
This entails designing lesson plans, creating and grading tests, delivering class lectures, and running parent conferences. History teachers should know what’s going on in the world to apply it to their classroom, even alternate history. They may be asked by their schools to run debate teams or other related clubs outside of their normal duties, so they should be prepared for that.
Additionally, modern teachers should be aware of how to create and conduct interactive tests and lessons. Computer learning has become a part of the modern classroom and a necessary skill for new teachers.
History Teacher Job Requirements
The first requirement for becoming a history teacher is of course a degree in history education or general education. History certification helps too. Those who wish to become teachers should research their state’s requirements and what competency tests they need to pass. If a teacher plans on teaching in private schools, for instance, they will need different certifications.
If you want to teach primary school, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and some classroom experience supervising students as part of your certification requirements. Teaching at higher education levels requires the appropriate degrees: a master’s or higher in history education or related studies.
Generally, people become history teachers following this schedule:
- Earn their degree
- Complete a teaching internship in their desired grade level
- Pass competency exams
- Apply for a teaching license
- Send in applications for teaching positions
The Takeaway for Prospective History Teachers
Has that helped you undestand how to become a history teacher? The most difficult part of it involves figuring out what you want to teach. Therefore, you should decide whether you want to teach public or private and in what grade level before you begin the testing and certification procedures. With the right degree and skills following the above timeline, you should be able to reach your goal of becoming a history teacher.
