Teaching history is one of the most important components of education. As a teacher of history, you are passing down cultural knowledge from one generation to the next, helping to build a sense of collective identity and understanding about the world. If you teach younger students, you are also enabling them to develop important literacy and critical thinking skills that will serve them long into their lives.
History is a dynamic area of study. History is always in the making, and the ways we interpret and understand our past changes as perspectives evolve. For example, think about the way we look at Canadian history. For years the historical narrative was largely centred on the arrival of European colonizers, who “discovered” Canada through their determination and desire to find new trade routes. As modern historians look back on this interpretation of events, we are starting to understand that Indigenous perspectives and the viewpoints of other newcomer groups have been silenced or ignored. As a result, historical narratives are changing along with the way we teach it to the next generation.
All of this is to say that history education in Canada is an exciting field to work in. If you are planning to start a career in history education, you are in good company. History educators are among the most fascinating professionals in the Canadian education system. And no, you don’t have to become a classroom teacher: you can teach online, develop materials, or support your community through libraries, museums, and parks. Becoming a history educator can involve a number of different exciting pathways!
This article is all about careers in history education. We will explore the different types of jobs out there, and what you can do to ensure you are qualified for the role.
History is important in so many different ways. As a society, we need to document and understand our history so we can better understand our world. But what skills will you need to succeed in the subject?
What are the Best History Education Jobs?
There are a variety of different ways to build a career in History education. Let’s take a quick look.
Elementary Social Studies Teacher
Those that enjoy working with young children and want to impart historical knowledge through fun and creative ways should consider becoming an elementary educator. Elementary teachers, particularly in the junior and intermediate grades (4-8), get the unique task of building historical inquiry skills in young minds. At this level, you can even incorporate art, experiential learning, and research activities where students explore different topics and develop a love for the past.
High School History Teacher
High school or secondary history teachers get to work with older children, helping them to build a foundation of historical knowledge and understanding and a lifelong appreciation for politics and civics. You will play a key role in enabling students to become mature critical thinkers that go on to study history and the social sciences in college and university.
University Professor
Becoming a university professor means that you will be both teaching students while also contributing and innovating historical knowledge. Your teaching will largely focus on sharing your own passions and research interests: wars, conflicts, biographies of important individuals, communities and analyses of important events.. Professors must also publish papers and publications frequently, so you will also spend a lot of time continuing your historical research.
Museums and Galleries
The Canadian governments at federal, provincial, and municipal levels are committed to maintaining and curating local history, and and educating the community through museums and libraries. In a museum, you might work as a curator of exhibits or a staff member that helps the public interpret artifacts. There are also opportunities in parks and recreation, as there are many parks and monuments dedicated to commemorating key historical figures. You might find an interesting career or hobby working as a community historian or blogger, learning and documenting information about the community you live in by listening to elders and maintaining photography and records collections.
You might be surprised to know that history is one of the most important disciplines one can learn, and that the skills acquired through a history program can be applied in a number of professions. So what can you do with a history degree other than be a “history buff”?
What Qualifications do I Need to Teach a History Class?
As you can see, there are a number of interesting career options for history educators. But what kind of qualifications will you need to get hired?
For educators that want to work in Canada’s public schools and universities, a university degree is a baseline requirement. You should to combine a major in history with another teachable subject if you want to teach in a school, and combine majors that focus on your research interests if a university is where you see yourself. You will also need to earn a bachelor of Education degree so you can receive your licensure for teaching in a public school.
Becoming a history professor will also mean that you complete a master’s and doctorate degree in history. This will require additional years in school and the completion of a dissertation.
Starting a career in a museum or gallery environment will mean that you may also need to acquire additional degrees in areas like museum studies or art.
Students that choose to pursue a degree or postsecondary program in history understand that they are engaging in a journey of learning that will be rich and fascinating. They may also be wondering what their career prospects are like, particularly in the field of education.
What is Teaching an Online History Class Like?
As an history educator, you may find yourself in the position of teaching online. Many students opt to learn online for a variety of reasons: health, convenience, or a preference for the virtual learning environment. As an educator, you might find teaching online a great option for very similar reasons.
Teaching online is rather different from in-person learning in that you must make your instruction highly visible (Ex. Through the use of slides) and be adept at navigating virtual learning platforms. You my find some additional challenges in being able to connect and build relationships with students, particularly those with unique learning needs, so you will need to be creative in building a learning community. Breakout rooms, one-to-one conferencing and maintaining individual email contact can be key.
If you are teaching in an elementary school or high school, you may also have to deal with the challenges of absenteeism or a lack of visible student engagement. Maintaining communication with families may also be an additional consideration.
Though teaching certainly has its stressors, it is a challenging and dynamic role. As a teacher, you. receive all the rewards of working with children and teenagers, helping them to develop the knowledge and skills it takes to survive in the real world.
Where Can I Teach History Lessons?
There are a variety of contexts in which you can teach history lessons, and much will depend on the qualifications for teaching that you have and your own interests. We have already discussed that elementary schools, high schools, universities, and museums are spaces where you can teach history lessons. Many of these institutions will also have online versions of their classes that you might find employment in.
If you are passionate about history and want to teach in a more community based environment, there are alternative environments you can seek out. For example, you might find that at your local library there are opportunities to host public lectures about the history of your community, neighbourhood or city. You might also be able to teach a course about your culture’s history (ex. Filipino history, Italian Immigration, or Pakistani culture) at a cultural centre or online.
You may even find that you want to start a social media channel or Youtube channel sharing historical information in fun and exciting videos and photography posts!
Another option to become a history tutor for students already engaged in learning the subject. We will explore that job option next!
Studying history is seen often as a pursuit of passion because it doesn't lead to a specific job like doctor or engineer. If ideas like these have made you question a pursuit of history, you may be pleased to know that history students have plenty of career options.
How Do I Find History Tutor Jobs?
Finding history tutor jobs is easy thanks to Superprof Canada. You can use the site to post your teacher or tutor profile, sharing your qualifications, areas of expertise, and the ways you can help students (writing paper, exam preparation, or ongoing study). If you can help students in multiple subject areas, be sure to share that information as it may lead you to find more clients.
Once your profile is up, students or their families can find you and contact you to see if your availability and interest works with their needs. Potential clients can message you through the site so you don’t have to share any of your email information. The site is even set up so that clients can pay you through securely.
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
