History teacher – How to become a history teacher?
History teachers are those who educate students about the historical aspects of the past. It teaches students about the various cultures and civilizations that prevailed and prevail in our country. They expose students to historical events with lots of data and facts that happened around the world. The history teacher provides students with lectures and notes on the above facts. The main responsibilities of a teacher include planning and presenting sessions, evaluating student performance and then communicating to them. Student performance is assessed through assignments, homework, tests, and the like. They offer classroom sessions with the help of visual aids, textbooks and other resources needed to do so.
Qualification exam
The qualifications required for history teachers may vary depending on their grade. Those working in the primary classes require only passing the subject. For teaching in secondary classes, the candidate should have a post graduate degree in the subject along with a B. Ed. To become a history teacher in the government sector, a candidate has to clear the examinations conducted by central or state government agencies. However, plus two teachers require an additional SET qualification.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligibility condition depends on the level of study. History graduates can get into the role of primary teacher in private schools. Most of the schools prefer PG in History with B.Ed as a necessary qualification for secondary education. Those who have PG in history and SET qualification can apply for the post of history teacher in higher secondary schools
Key elements in the process
- Continue HSC course preferably in Arts subject
- Pursue graduate or postgraduate studies in history as per qjob requirements
- Get your B.Ed from any of the reputed colleges
- Get SET if needed
- Search and apply for a history teaching position at schools that offer the same
Skills required for history teachers
This career is an excellent choice for students who are interested in the teaching profession. They should have good knowledge in the subject. Good interaction and communication between students is necessary for their work to be successful. Patience and creativity are also preferred by those who engage in the role of history teacher.
What does a history teacher do?
A history teacher teaches students about past events, whether it concerns a specific region or the entire world. History teachers work with students at a variety of levels, from middle school to high school and in some cases post-secondary.
- On a typical day, history teachers will:
- Create lesson plans for upcoming classes
- Deliver lessons based on previously created lesson plans
- Teach students about a wide range of topics, from ancient Egypt to the Cuban Missile Crisis
- Administer and grade exams
- Perform other duties around the school such as lobby monitoring or detention coverage
Average salary of a history teacher
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for education, training and library occupations in May 2020 was $52,380, higher than the median annual wage of $41,950 for all occupations.
How much you earn depends largely on the grade level you teach, your advanced degrees, and where the school is located. According to the BLS, teacher salaries range from $28,900 for teaching assistants to $62,870 per year for secondary teachers and $80,560 per year for postsecondary teachers.
Employment in education, training and library occupations is projected to grow by 10% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 920,500 new jobs are expected to be added between 2020 and 2030.
How to become a history teacher
Here are five steps to becoming a history teacher:
- 1.Get a bachelor’s degree in history.
- 2.Complete a teacher training program.
- 3. Do an internship.
- 4. Take certification tests and apply for classes.
- 5. Apply for open positions of history teachers.
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Get a BA in History
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree, preferably in history, is the first prerequisite for becoming a history teacher. You’ll want to find a college or university that offers a recognized history program along with a state-approved teacher preparation program. These two programs will make you well-versed in history topics and prepare you to become a teacher in that state.
As an undergraduate, you’ll likely spend the first two of your four years taking general education courses along with a few lower-level history courses. Once you enter your third year, you can apply to a teacher training program and declare your major as history. From there you will begin taking more advanced history courses along with courses on how to teach.
When choosing history courses, you should aim for courses that cover a wide range of subjects rather than focusing on a particular time or culture. This will give you a foundation to cover more history subjects. If you later decide you want to teach a specific time or culture at the high school or college level, you can take more advanced courses as part of your master’s degree.
Educators with degrees in history may also work in other settings such as:
- Libraries
- Historical societies and museums
- Creating tests for educational companies
- Tutoring facility
- Society for the Preservation of Historical Monuments
- Legal study agencies
- Department of Development of Educational Programs
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Complete a teacher training program
As part of your bachelor’s degree, you will need to enroll in and complete a teacher training program. Through these courses you will learn things like:
- How to improve your communication skills
- How to create and implement lesson plans
- Problems in education
- Student evaluation
- Educational psychology
- Child evolution
Most teacher preparation programs require a 2.5 grade point average before being accepted into the program. Some also require an introductory course that you will need to complete before moving on to other courses.
Most of the courses in this program take place in a classroom at your university or college. However, many programs also require student teaching experience, in which you practice teaching under the supervision of an established teacher at another nearby school.
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Do an internship
Student teaching is also known as an internship. Through an internship, you can learn more about what it’s like to be a teacher, gain valuable teaching experience, and practice some of the basic responsibilities of a teacher.
They will match you with someone based on the age of the students you want to teach along with the subject of the course. Therefore, students who want to become history teachers are assigned to history or social studies teachers.
You will then spend several months as an active member of that teacher’s class, helping students, creating lesson plans and presenting lessons to the class. The teacher will be ready to answer any questions you may have, give advice and evaluate at the end of the semester.
Successful completion and receiving a good evaluation of your student-teaching experience are prerequisites for graduation.
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Take certification tests and apply for classes
Once you complete your undergraduate studies, you must pass state-approved certifications. These are a series of tests required by your state that are used to demonstrate your readiness to teach. Each state has different tests and requirements, so you’ll want to research the standards in the state where you want to teach.
Two of the most widely used certification tests are the National Evaluation Series and the Praxis Series. Which test you need to take and how well you need to do in each depends on your condition. After passing these tests, you will be eligible to receive teacher certification from your state. You must submit an application to your state, who will then review it and issue your state teaching license.
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Apply for open history teaching positions
After you get your teaching license, you’re ready to start looking for job openings. You will want to look for history teacher positions in the age group you would like to teach. Your college or university probably has a job placement service that can help you find and apply for open positions.
However, most schools like to hire teachers with experience, making it more difficult for new graduates to get a job. If you cannot find a full-time position, you should look for positions that allow you to gain experience.
For example, some schools hire paraprofessionals. Paraprofessionals assist teachers and can offer individualized instruction to students. Working as a paraprofessional will give you more experience working with students, and if a full-time position opens up in your school district, you’ll have a better chance of getting it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some common questions about becoming and working as a history teacher:
How can I increase my chances of getting a job as a history teacher?
There are several things you can do to improve your resume and increase your chances of getting a job as a history teacher. To begin with, you should look to gain relevant experience. You can also join local historical societies and develop more expertise in your town or city.
There are also specific areas in the United States that desperately need teachers. While teaching in underserved areas can be challenging, it can be rewarding. Perhaps best of all, if you teach for five consecutive years in low-income areas, you may qualify for student loan forgiveness.
What skills should a history teacher have?
A history teacher needs:
- Strong communication
- Organizational skills
- Leadership qualities
- Empathy
- Passion for history
- Research skills
How long does it take to become a history teacher?
It takes about four years on average to become a history teacher. This is usually spent in undergrad, then it’s just a matter of how long it takes you to find your first job teaching history.
How can history teachers advance their careers?
Through continuing education and training, history teachers can progress into administrative roles. Moving into an administrative position such as an assistant principal, assistant principal, principal, or superintendent carries a different set of responsibilities and you will no longer be able to work directly with students, but it usually brings a significant increase in salary.
How can I become a history professor at a college or university?
If you have goals of teaching students in college, you will need to earn a master’s degree or doctorate. Master’s programs take about two years to complete, and the course may focus on a specific topic through classroom study, research, and lectures. Earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree can take 3-5 years and requires choosing a topic or regional specialization, such as 20th century, medieval or military history, or Latin American or Asian studies.
Being hired as a history professor often requires prior experience, which may include prior social studies or history teaching in high school and college, semesters spent as a teaching assistant in graduate school, or joining a departmental team as an assistant, associate, or assistant professor.
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