A career as a history teacher involves guiding students through the complexities of the past to better understand the present world. This role requires deep subject matter knowledge, mastery of instructional techniques, and a legally recognized professional standing. The path to the classroom is a structured process combining academic rigor with professional training and a commitment to meeting state standards.
Educational Foundation
A prospective history teacher must first secure a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from an accredited institution. The typical academic path involves majoring in History or Social Science, which provides a broader foundation in related disciplines like economics, geography, and government. This coursework ensures a comprehensive understanding of subjects such as World History and United States History.
Candidates must also complete an accredited teacher preparation program, which may be a minor, concentration, or post-baccalaureate program. These programs focus on pedagogy, the art and science of teaching, and include specialized courses on curriculum design, educational psychology, and instructional methods for secondary education. While a bachelor’s degree is the standard entry point for K-12 teaching, a Master’s degree (M.Ed. or M.A.) may be necessary for teaching at a community college or in states mandating a higher degree for licensure.
State Certification and Licensure Requirements
Teacher certification is a legal authorization to teach in public schools and is administered individually by each state. This process is mandatory for most public school positions and involves passing standardized content and professional knowledge examinations, often the Praxis Subject Assessments.
For history, candidates typically take the Praxis World and U.S. History: Content Knowledge exam. This assessment evaluates a candidate’s mastery of historical facts, processes, and historical thinking skills, covering content from ancient civilizations to the present day. Additionally, nearly all states require a thorough background check, including fingerprinting and a review of criminal history.
Gaining Required Classroom Experience
Before a teaching license is issued, every candidate must demonstrate the ability to manage a classroom and apply theoretical knowledge practically. This is accomplished through supervised teaching experience, commonly referred to as student teaching or clinical teaching, which usually takes place during the final year of the preparation program. This placement involves working under the guidance of an experienced mentor teacher for a full semester or longer.
The required experience often includes an initial period of observation and gradually increasing responsibility for lesson planning, instruction, and student assessment. Some programs require substantial pre-student-teaching clinical hours to ensure early exposure to the classroom environment. These practical experiences prepare candidates for the daily realities of managing student behavior and addressing diverse learning needs.
Essential Skills and Qualities for Effective Teaching
Effective history instruction requires developing professional attributes and interpersonal skills beyond knowing facts and dates. A strong history teacher must communicate complex narratives clearly, transforming historical content into a compelling, relevant story for students. This involves focusing on historical thinking skills, such as teaching students to analyze primary and secondary sources, evaluate credibility, and construct evidence-based arguments.
Effective classroom management is necessary for maintaining a structured and respectful learning environment. Teachers must be adept at differentiating instruction to address a spectrum of learning styles, ensuring the material is accessible and engaging for every student. This includes integrating new pedagogical techniques and technology to make the past feel immediate and relevant.
Choosing Your Teaching Level and Environment
Certified history teachers can choose from various professional environments, each with different requirements and student populations. The most common path involves teaching at the secondary level (grades 6–12), focusing on United States and World History. Secondary history certification is often issued as a broader Social Science credential, allowing instruction in subjects like civics, geography, and economics.
The choice between public, private, or charter schools impacts the professional experience and certification requirements:
Public schools strictly adhere to state licensure laws.
Private schools may have more flexibility in hiring standards, sometimes allowing faculty with extensive subject matter expertise but without traditional state certification.
Teachers aiming for a community college position need a minimum of a master’s degree.
Those interested in teaching younger students (grades K–8) must often pursue a general elementary or middle-grades certification rather than a history-specific one.
Maintaining Certification and Professional Growth
Obtaining the initial teaching license requires a sustained commitment to professional development, as certification must be periodically renewed. The standard renewal period is typically every five years, requiring the completion of a mandated number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or Professional Learning Units (PLUs). Teachers earn these units through approved courses, workshops, and training sessions.
This ongoing professional learning ensures teachers remain current with new educational laws, instructional strategies, and subject-specific content updates. Required training often includes specific modules on educating students with disabilities, such as instruction on dyslexia and special education strategies. Teachers may also pursue an advanced degree like a Ph.D. or Ed.D., which can lead to higher pay scales, mentorship opportunities, or a transition into school administration or curriculum development roles.