History teacher is probably not the things that comes to mind when you think about careers with high salaries. And yet, educators are actually paid salaries will above average in Canada in nearly every province. While you might not be making as much income as lawyers and doctors, you will enjoy a level of freedom and job satisfaction that is highly desirable.
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. You are constantly changing and upgrading your knowledge and practice to align with new pedagogical findings and the latest updates in each discipline you teach. You must also work individually with students, getting to know them and adapting instruction to their needs and interests. The life of a teacher is incredibly busy.
If you are considering becoming a history educator, this article will help you weigh the pros and cons of a career in education. We will consider salary and the benefits of being a teacher that go beyond pay. We will also discuss how you can start your pathway of becoming a history teacher.
Let's start by looking at the pros and cons of becoming a history teacher.
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.
The Pros and Cons of Teaching History
Any big career decision you make should be informed on both ends. Here are the ups and downs of being a history teacher in Canada.
Pro: You Can Teach a Subject You are Passionate About
If you are contemplating a history teaching career, chances are that you are passionate about the subject and want your career to involve your history learning. This is one of the great benefits of being a history teacher: you can build a career based on your interests, and impart your knowledge and skills to the next generation. When you have a solid background in the subject you teach, it is often much easier and fun to do the work since you have all the background knowledge.
Con: As a Teacher, You May be Dealing with a lot of Classroom Management
If you are working in a school with younger children or even high school students, you may find that much of your time is less devoted to teaching history and more to managing behaviour. This can be a surprise to teachers that are eager to teach their passion subject: they may even feel frustrated when they feel they are not "teaching" enough. You may feel like you are spending your whole day getting students to organize themselves and focus!
However, it is important to note that classroom management is part of the job, and that if you do create a culture of learning with high expectations, you will have an opportunity to focus on content and pedagogy.
Pro: You Will Make an Above Average Salary
Teachers in Canada are highly valued and make a higher salary than the average Canadian. Teachers also often have access to generous health plans and contribute to an excellent pension plan. In provinces like Ontario, teachers can make up to nearly $100k a year, with additional stipends for teachers that take additional leadership responsibilities. And it is also well known that teachers have some of the best holidays of any job, with weeks off for winter break, spring break, and months off for summer. It is an excellent role for anyone that wants to align their schedule with their children's.
Con: Teacher Salary does Not Increase Often
While having a steady, above average income is certainly a plus, one negative is that your salary will likely only increase marginally during your career. Many public educators are unionized, and collectively bargain wages for all the members. Unlike a professional in the private sector, where your earning potential is tied to your performance, teachers will get paid similarly regardless of their performance or the excellence they bring to their work.
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.
Why Should I Teach the Lessons of History?
After viewing just a couple of pros and cons, you may be wondering if it is worthwhile to teach history. The answer is absolutely yes - while there are a few negatives the positives of being an educator are amazing. As a teacher, you will be working with talented teams of educators who are likely as passionate about the subjects they teach as you are. You can share your enthusiasm for history with the next generation, and ensure that love and the stories of the past get passed on. For those that love learning, teachers often get to engage in professional education throughout their careers.
You can also generate additional income through activities like tutoring - which we will discuss later.
What are the Qualifications for Teaching a History Class?
To teach history, you must earn the appropriate qualificiations for becoming a licensed teacher in an elementary or secondary school. To do this, you will need to start with an undergraduate degree with not only a major in history but another teachable subject like English or Math so you will be well equipped for different teaching packages. With an undergraduate degree, you can then apply to a teachers college where you can earn your bachelor of education. Once you have your teaching degree, you can apply for licensure in your province and apply to school boards.
Teaching history in College or University
If you have a preference for becoming a professor or teaching in a college or university, you will need to earn your doctorate in the subject through graduate school. As a university instructor, you will not only be teaching but contributing to academic research in history, so this is an excellent option if you want to continue research and writing. Take note that becoming a professor can take much longer than becoming a teacher, since it can take years to complete course requirements and write and defend your PhD dissertation.
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.
Is it Possible to Teach an Online History Class?
It is certainly possible to teach history online if that is your preference. Many schools offer online programs and credits, and you can apply for those roles if they are of interest to you. If you wanted to offer your own virtual course, you could start a business or offer your courses online. As many communities look to learn different, non-dominant historical perspectives, particularly about their cultural communities, there has been some increased demand for "outside the box" learning.
Online teaching is very convenient way to work and provides lots of opportunities for educators looking to share knowledge or generate additional revenue. You can go to work without a lengthy commute, and have some flexbility if you have family responsibilities or want to work part time. It is well suited for those who are adept with navigating technology and using online tools to share content and keep learning interesting.
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?
Where Can I teach History Lessons?
There are a number of different places you can teach history lessons. First and foremost are in schools and universities, where you can obtain the appropriate qualifications to work. You can also teach history in private schools, community organizations, or institutions such as museums and parks.
Another option to consider is to teach or tutor history students online. You can help people to set learning goals on an individual basis, based on their interests or needs for schools. There are many students that struggle to prepare for tests, write research paper, or need someone to review new learning. You can also tutor in multiple subjects if you feel comfortable with the content you are teaching. Tutoring is a great way to generate additional income to a full time job, and you can work as much or as little as you want to!
Becoming a history tutor is easy using Superprof Canada. The site is designed to connect tutors with students. Prospective students can browse the site to explore the profiles of different tutors, and connect with them of the site if they think the tutor will be a good fit. As a tutor, you can set up a profile for yourself that will be visible to prospective clients. Just choose a professional photo and a write description of your qualifications and services, and post your profile.
Become a tutor on Superprof today!
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”?
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