For students in Social Science, it can be really hard to choose a path when college is finished because the formation is very diversified: History, Anthropology, Sociology, Politics, Psychology, and Geography. For those of you that enjoyed the History and the Geography classes, becoming a High School History and Geography Teacher can be a great option. In the following lines, you will learn what is the reality of a High School History and Geography Teacher: the workplace, the salary, the age of retirement, the dangers, and the influence that you can have on others.
It can be difficult to be a History and Geography teacher in high school because teenagers can be a difficult audience. Teachers need to have a good sense of humor and be engaging, which can be a daunting task with young people who are not particularly fond of school. However, succeeding in this task and making them motivated and curious is a huge reward of teaching. Seeing young people understand a subject that they did not understand before and learning new things makes the job very exciting and rewarding.
In the province of Quebec, History and Geography teachers teach geography, history and citizenship education to young people between the ages of 12 and 17. Sometimes they also teach the Ethics and Religious Culture course and the Finance class. They also prepare courses, educational activities, create exams and correct students' work and exams. In other places, teachers can be specialized in one subject.
Usually, they wake up around 6 a.m. They go to school for 7:30 a.m. They prepare their day and at 8:30 a.m. the lessons begin. When teaching, they can lecture, use technology, debate, take trivia quizzes, chat with students, and answer questions. When they have free time, they can prepare for the next class or do some correction. Sometimes, depending on the schools, teachers have to watch the cafeteria or organize academic upgrading. Classes usually end around 3:30 p.m. Teachers can correct assignments and others lead extracurricular activities. Around 5 p.m., the teachers have finished their day and go home.
They usually work in high schools, but they can also work in school boards.
In many places in the world, you will need a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, which is five years. Yo will have courses in History and Geography and teaching courses. You will also have in-the-job training.
In Quebec, the starting salary is $42,407 per years. After 10 years, High School History and Geography teachers make $61,684 per years and after 15 years, the salary is $75,956 per years. After 15 years the salary if fixed at $75,956. Those salaries are for the teachers in the public schools.
During their career, teachers are required to take training courses. These are very useful for familiarizing yourself with new technologies, learning new pedagogical techniques or acquiring new ideas for projects.
The biggest danger a high school History and Geography teacher can experience is losing the attention of the students. Indeed, it is important to be dynamic and to make the information interesting for young people. Also, it is important to have good group management.
Chances are bad knowing that students need human contact and that it would be difficult to answer students' questions. Also, History is a subject where interpretation plays a big role. Computers would have a hard time doing this.
It depends on the location of the school. In Quebec, the age of retirement is 60 years-old.
Personally, I am finishing my CEGEP this year. I am going to start my bachelor's degree in Teacher Education in High School, in the profile Social Studies, at the University of Sherbrooke. In 5 years I will therefore have graduated and I would like to teach in a high school in my region.