Wanting to Teach History from High School to College level.

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Social Studies Teachers Chatboard

Wanting to Teach History from High School to College level.

by Matt

Jul 11, 2012

Hello my name is Matt and I would like some information out there from those of you who have made the choice to teach History. I am 29 years old. I want to go back to school to earn a History degree and then some day a Masters and Doctorate. Any wisdom some of you could share would be great. I have always had a passion for History dating back to my middle school years and then in my college years.

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The field is flooded--near impossible to get a job On 7/11/12, Matt wrote: > Hello my name is Matt and I would like some information out > there from those of you who have made the choice to teach > History. I am 29 years old. I want to go back to school to > earn a History degree and then some day a Masters and > Doctorate. Any wisdom some of you could share would be > great. I h...See More

Jul 12, 2012

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cometclear On 7/12/12, The field is flooded--near impossible to get a job wrote: > On 7/11/12, Matt wrote: >> Hello my name is Matt and I would like some information out >> there from those of you who have made the choice to teach >> History. I am 29 years old. I want to go back to school to >> earn a History degree and then some d...See More

Jul 13, 2012

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Your response is the irresponsible one. On 7/13/12, cometclear wrote: > On 7/12/12, The field is flooded--near impossible to get a job > wrote: >> On 7/11/12, Matt wrote: >>> Hello my name is Matt and I would like some information out >>> there from those of you who have made the choice to teach >>> History. I am 29 years old. I want to go back to ...See MoreOn 7/13/12, cometclear wrote: > On 7/12/12, The field is flooded--near impossible to get a job > wrote: >> On 7/11/12, Matt wrote: >>> Hello my name is Matt and I would like some information out >>> there from those of you who have made the choice to teach >>> History. I am 29 years old. I want to go back to school to >>> earn a History degree and then some day a Masters and >>> Doctorate. Any wisdom some of you could share would be >>> great. I have always had a passion for History dating back >>> to my middle school years and then in my college years. >> >> Information? Sure. The education is a glutted field. History >> is especially glutted. You will have a very, very difficult >> time getting a job. The competition is fierce. Going back to >> school (with the time and money involved) to get a history >> degree with the intention of being a history teacher is a >> bad, bad, bad, bad plan > > This is an irresponsible response to Matt's question.

You have things backwards. It is you who are being irresponsible.

There is > indeed a glut of history teachers compared to demand...in many > parts of the country.

In almost all parts of the country. Matt, how do you feel about living in Alaska in a remote region where your food has to be dropped by plane?

I will put this succinctly, Matt: If you > are willing to relocate to a more remote part of the country or > in impoverished areas in starting a secondary teaching career, > you can most certainly find a job teaching history.

There are things to keep in mind with relocation. First, you will have to recertify in any state you wish to teach in. Do not think this is not a barrier to finding a job in another state. It is. School districts are not going to hire you without being credentialed in their state. And they will not consider you until you are. This is a situation I have run into over and over. I found a great teaching job in Florida. I was one of few people to notice it because it was mid-year and I just happened upon it. Well, I wasn't credentialed in Florida. They said, apply in Florida and then we will consider you. Well, as it turned out, that was about a two month process and cost a couple hundred bucks.

See a job in Arizona? Well, are you credentialed there? No? Can't take that job. Now you could go about getting credentialed in every state. That would cost you like $10,000 in fees plus about $5000 in renewals every five years of so for each state so your credentials don't expire.

I returned > for my credentials in my thirties knowing I would have to > relocate to get started. The comrades of mine who struggled > finding history teaching positions were the ones who were > unwilling to relocate.

Not everybody can just relocate. Many people have considerations of family, spouses with good jobs where they are, houses they have bought and can't sell in this market, etcetera. And you have to be recertified in each state. Even reciprocity involves paperwork and time. By the time you see an opening and get a credential for that state, that opening is long gone.

Very few other jobs limit you like this. If you are a doctor or engineer, you are qualified to work in any state without further certification.

They wanted a position in their hometowns > or they refused to leave the state. If you're in that boat, you > will probably have to wait for awhile. > > Do you have coaching experience or playing experience at the > collegiate level? That can help you a great deal in getting a > job teaching social studies.

Matt, you need to check out other threads where you can see what the likely outcome will be for you in several years. There is a thread in the Tennessee board that is a prime example of your situation. I see it over and over on T-net. Someone wants to be a teacher. They are advised of the realities. Some do-gooder rose glasses person tells them go ahead and chase your dream and don't listen to the naysayers. A few years later, that person is on here saying they can't get a job and they knew it was a tough field to break into but they thought their perseverance would pay off but they have been subbing for ever and in near poverty and can't get a job and are thinking about changing careers (after all that time and student loans). Seriously, do you want that to be you? For a career with increasingly poor prospects of longevity, poor working conditions, poor pay, and credentials that have to be renewed constantly or added if you move to a new state?

Really? My advice was negligent? Isn't that just Rich. Anybody who counsels somebody to go into teaching (unless they can take care of cronyism or nepotism later) is the one giving irresponsible advice.

Jul 13, 2012

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