If you enjoy sharing your knowledge with others and are passionate about history, a career as a history teacher may be perfect for you.The path to becoming a history teacher is dependent on where you live and what level you wish to teach.If you want to become an elementary through secondary education teacher, you will need a solid background in both history and education at the undergraduate level.It is time to look for a job after you get your teaching license.Become the best teacher you can be by seeking professional development opportunities after you start teaching.
Step 1: There is a bachelor's degree.
A bachelor's degree is required in most areas to become a history teacher.You can get a degree in history or a related field.Some high schools may require their teachers to have a master's degree.You may be able to teach at the K-8 level if you have a degree in education and a concentration in history.
Step 2: You can complete a teacher education program at your grade level.
You will need to take courses in K-12 education in addition to doing history.A teacher education program will give you the tools you need to succeed in the classroom and also prepare you to teach your region's standard K-12 history curriculum.Depending on your needs and local requirements, there are a few different approaches you could take.You can find a school that offers a dual degree in history and education.You can get a degree in education with a minor in history.There are educational requirements for history teachers in your area.After you finish your history degree, you can take an alternative teacher certification program.To find out what programs are available in your area, check with the department of education.
Step 3: There is a teaching internship or student teaching program.
Gaining practical experience in the classroom is important as you complete your teacher education program.Education programs can help you connect with these opportunities.If you don't know where to start, talk to your faculty advisor or career counselor.
Step 4: You can take certification exams in your area.
You will need to take at least one licensing exam before you can become a teacher.Depending on your location and grade level, the exams will be different.If you want to become a high school history teacher in Illinois, you will need to take the ILTS Social Science: History exam and the Illinois Licensure Testing System Test of Academic Proficiency.
Step 5: Follow your area's teacher licensing requirements
If you want to get your teaching license, you need to check with your region's department of education.Most places will require you to pass a criminal background check.Provide official transcripts showing proof of any relevant degrees and certifications you have earned.Pay the application fee.You need to apply for a teacher certification.
Step 6: There are history teaching jobs available online.
There are many websites where you can find teaching jobs.The department of education website has an employment section.Search for high school history teacher on Indeed or Monster.K12Jobspot is an education-specific job board.
Step 7: Inquire about job opportunities in your professional network.
People in the teaching field can help you find a job.Talk to your professors, former classmates, and people you worked with when you were a student.They might be able to recommend open positions that are a good fit.People in your network can be references for you.The career advancement office at your university can help you find a job and give guidance on the application and interview process.
Step 8: Contact a non profit organization for teachers.
Several organizations help recent graduates start a teaching career.Some of the organizations are national, while others are local.They help place teachers in areas that need them the most.Check with organizations like Americorps if you are in the U.S.You can use the terms "nonprofit teaching programs near me" in your search.
Step 9: Check your local government for teaching opportunities.
You can use your teaching skills in other places.In the U.S., you can find teaching jobs in the Department of Defense.You can check your government's website for job listings.You can find teacher jobs in the U.S. at USAJobs.gov.
Step 10: After you start teaching, continue your training.
To keep your knowledge up-to-date and your skills sharp, look for courses and programs for history teachers in your area.In order to maintain a valid teaching license, teachers are required to take continuing education courses.Professional development programs for teachers can be found on-site and online.There are opportunities on your local department of education website.You can find courses, workshops, and seminars at universities and museums.
Step 11: Look to your colleagues for inspiration.
No matter what your subject is, you need to collaborate in order to be a good teacher.You can draw on the work of history teachers.If you want advice or insight, reach out to your successful colleagues.You don't have to limit yourself to drawing inspiration from other historians.You should look for ways to apply lessons from other teachers.You can coordinate with other teachers at your school on lessons that connect with one another.Learning about the roles chemistry and geology can play in dating historical artifacts can be done with the help of your school's science teacher.
Step 12: Your students will be taught to analyze historical sources critically.
Teaching your students about the differences between primary and secondary sources will help them develop the skills to question and evaluate both kinds of sources instead of taking them at face value.If you give your students the tools to approach their sources with an analytical eye, they will gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of history.Encourage your students to ask who wrote the text.Who was the intended audience?Why did the author choose certain words?Is this source biased in any way?
Step 13: There are ways to relate history to life experiences.
Some students find history boring because they view it as a series of names, dates, and events with little bearing on their own lives.You should look for ways to connect the material you are teaching to the personal stories of your students.These connections don't have to be solemn or profound.If you teach your students about the development of writing in the ancient world, you could draw a parallel between Egyptian hieroglyphs and emojis.
Step 14: You should organize your lessons in a way that makes sense to you.
Building lessons around themes can help clarify the material you are teaching and make it more interesting to your students.Make a list of the topics and periods you are covering.For elementary or middle school classes, choose relatively broad and simple themes such as "An individual can change the course of history" or "How does history repeat itself?"For high school history classes, you can use more complex themes such as "Is history really 'written by the victors'?" or "The environment can affect the development of human societies, and vice versa."