Some advice please about becoming a History Teacher

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Social Studies Teachers Chatboard

Some advice please about becoming a History Teacher

by Julie

Apr 30, 2012

Hi, I am in need of help. My son is graduating HS this year and is entering college to become a History Teacher. We have discovered that many colleges do not certify in History, and if they do they are requiring a dual major. Some college advisors are saying to take the required credits to become a History major, and to be diverse is class choices. Other advisors are saying to stay focused in one area.

Any advice would be appreciated. We live in NJ and the job market for teachers are few and far between, so whatever advice you could give would be appreciated.

Thank you Julie

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Burnout On 4/30/12, Julie wrote: > Hi, I am in need of help. My son is graduating HS this year > and is entering college to become a History Teacher. We > have discovered that many colleges do not certify in > History, and if they do they are requiring a dual major. > Some college advisors are saying to take the required > credits to beco...See More

May 2, 2012

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Julie On 5/02/12, Burnout wrote: > On 4/30/12, Julie wrote: >> Hi, I am in need of help. My son is graduating HS this year >> and is entering college to become a History Teacher. We >> have discovered that many colleges do not certify in >> History, and if they do they are requiring a dual major. >> Some college advisors ...See More

May 2, 2012

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Barb On 5/02/12, Julie wrote: > On 5/02/12, Burnout wrote: >> On 4/30/12, Julie wrote: >>> Hi, I am in need of help. My son is graduating HS this year >>> and is entering college to become a History Teacher. We >>> have discovered that many colleges do not certify in >>> History, and if they do they are requi...See MoreOn 5/02/12, Julie wrote: > On 5/02/12, Burnout wrote: >> On 4/30/12, Julie wrote: >>> Hi, I am in need of help. My son is graduating HS this year >>> and is entering college to become a History Teacher. We >>> have discovered that many colleges do not certify in >>> History, and if they do they are requiring a dual major. >>> Some college advisors are saying to take the required >>> credits to become a History major, and to be diverse is >>> class choices. Other advisors are saying to stay focused in >>> one area. >>> >>> Any advice would be appreciated. We live in NJ and the job >>> market for teachers are few and far between, so whatever >>> advice you could give would be appreciated. >>> >>> Thank you >>> Julie >> >> >> I might be opening a can of worms, but it needs to be said. >> The willingness and/or the ability to coach a sport could prove >> to be crucial. At the very least, Texas is this way. >> >> I was certified under an alternative program and chose to be >> certified as Special Education rather than Social Studies even >> though my degree is in History. The program director warned >> all potential social studies teachers that coaches tend to fill >> these positions. > > > It is funny you should say this. Here in New Jersey many History > Teachers are coaches as well. My son's ideal job would be to > teach High School History and coach basketball and track. So I > guess that should help him tremendously, he fits the profile of a > History Teacher... >

My son graduated from Illinois State in Dec.2009 with a social studies secondary education degree, history minor & middle school endorsement. He is passionate about teaching and all that know him feel he has the right temperament and is in teaching for the right reasons. He has done much subbing (day & long term) and volunteer coaching for the last two years, which has enabled him to gain experience and CONNECTIONS. Unfortunately it is so extremely competitive in IL, especially in his area of teaching, that ultimately you need a connection to be offered the opportunity to showcase yourself. He has some very strong prospects for possibly landing a permanent job for the upcoming year. If he is not able to obtain a permanent position in the fall he will probably have to pursue other opportunities...which would really be a shame!

My son was warned by the university during his student teaching to expect this type of situation in trying to secure a job, but I really felt he would be one that would be able to get in to a permanent position sooner than now. Anyone going into history or social science teaching really needs to be prepared to pay their dues in these tough times!

Still keeping my fingers crossed one of his connections pays off for the upcoming school year....

Jun 15, 2012

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Matt If you want to be a good history teacher, use the best lessons! check out [link removed]

Jul 10, 2012

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Julie Barb, I wish your son the best. It is very competitive here in New Jersey too, in all subjects. I have been looking for an Art Teaching position for a year and a half, I hear literally over a hundred apply for each job, and in elementary jobs over 500 applicants.

It is because of this, and what your son is going through it makes me nervou...See MoreBarb, I wish your son the best. It is very competitive here in New Jersey too, in all subjects. I have been looking for an Art Teaching position for a year and a half, I hear literally over a hundred apply for each job, and in elementary jobs over 500 applicants.

It is because of this, and what your son is going through it makes me nervous that my son will be unemployed or have to take a position that is not what he wants. He has the passion for History, and the personality to be an outstanding teacher. It is just tough out there.

Thank you for sharing, Julie

On 6/15/12, Barb wrote: > On 5/02/12, Julie wrote: >> On 5/02/12, Burnout wrote: >>> On 4/30/12, Julie wrote: >>>> Hi, I am in need of help. My son is graduating HS this year >>>> and is entering college to become a History Teacher. We >>>> have discovered that many colleges do not certify in >>>> History, and if they do they are requiring a dual major. >>>> Some college advisors are saying to take the required >>>> credits to become a History major, and to be diverse is >>>> class choices. Other advisors are saying to stay focused in >>>> one area. >>>> >>>> Any advice would be appreciated. We live in NJ and the job >>>> market for teachers are few and far between, so whatever >>>> advice you could give would be appreciated. >>>> >>>> Thank you >>>> Julie >>> >>> >>> I might be opening a can of worms, but it needs to be said. >>> The willingness and/or the ability to coach a sport could prove >>> to be crucial. At the very least, Texas is this way. >>> >>> I was certified under an alternative program and chose to be >>> certified as Special Education rather than Social Studies even >>> though my degree is in History. The program director warned >>> all potential social studies teachers that coaches tend to fill >>> these positions. >> >> >> It is funny you should say this. Here in New Jersey many History >> Teachers are coaches as well. My son's ideal job would be to >> teach High School History and coach basketball and track. So I >> guess that should help him tremendously, he fits the profile of a >> History Teacher... >> > > > My son graduated from Illinois State in Dec.2009 with a social > studies secondary education degree, history minor & middle school > endorsement. He is passionate about teaching and all that know him > feel he has the right temperament and is in teaching for the right > reasons. He has done much subbing (day & long term) and volunteer > coaching for the last two years, which has enabled him to gain > experience and CONNECTIONS. Unfortunately it is so extremely > competitive in IL, especially in his area of teaching, that > ultimately you need a connection to be offered the opportunity to > showcase yourself. He has some very strong prospects for possibly > landing a permanent job for the upcoming year. If he is not able to > obtain a permanent position in the fall he will probably have to > pursue other opportunities...which would really be a shame! > > My son was warned by the university during his student teaching to > expect this type of situation in trying to secure a job, but I > really felt he would be one that would be able to get in to a > permanent position sooner than now. Anyone going into history or > social science teaching really needs to be prepared to pay their > dues in these tough times! > > Still keeping my fingers crossed one of his connections pays off for > the upcoming school year.... > >

Jul 13, 2012

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