I need some advice on how to go about schooling.

College Majors Education Majors
1

<p>Hi! I was sent here by the search thread.</p>

<p>So long story short, i'm a senior in high school and I want to be a high school history teacher. I love history and I love working with kids (I don't just like the cuddles and bunnies and the goo-goo-ga-ga part), so it seems natural to pair up the two. I'm not going to lie, my amazing teachers have definitely influenced me quite a bit, haha.</p>

<p>But! I'm a little confused (read: really) confused over how it would play out education-wise. I live in Massachusetts and I really want to teach here as well. I'm not really sure what degrees I would need, exactly. This is what i've heard:</p>

<ol>
<li>Major in history, get the BA in it, then take a certification course. yay, you can teach.</li>
<li>Major in education with a concentration in history, yay, you can teach.</li>
<li>Double major in secondary education and history...maybe it takes 4 years, maybe it takes 5, not sure if it can be done anywhere, yay you can teach.</li>
<li>Major in history, go to grad school for a master's (MAT or M. Ed? some of my teachers have one, some of them have the other), yay, you can teach and you are also probably in debt.</li>
</ol>

<p>All of the teachers i've talked to at my school are the following;
1. Double major in history and women's/gender studies in college. Graduated, spent 1 year working a crappy job and went back for an MAT and is now a very happy history and gender studies teacher.
2. Poli Sci major, went to grad school immediately afterwards, got MAT, is now a very happy history and government teacher.
3. Had a B.A and M.A in Economics, got teacher's certification, is now a very happy history and economics teacher who moonlights as an econ professor at the local state U.
4. Double major in Government/Psychology at Dartmouth, Harvard Law Grad, decided he was happier teaching high school law and psychology classes, got certified along the way.
5. A family friend, unknown college major but just finished up his certification course and he is now a happy math teacher.</p>

<p>I talked to my guidance counselor, and she told me that I would have to go to grad school to become a teacher. At first I wasn't sure of this, but it's definitely in line with the credentials of the teachers i've talked to so far. So obviously, that would be expensive.</p>

<p>I'm kind of (well, obviously) thinking a lot about this. On my list of colleges so far (it's a work in progress), there's only one college I could go to for undergrad almost debt-free (it would be like 10k in loans total), which around here is known for education (it's a state U) but not much else. I'm really worried that it's a stupid idea to just major in history in college. I'm on the fence about it, but I wanted to join AFROTC and the Air Force has no use for history majors, and neither does the rest of society (well, there are uses for history degrees, but they don't really interest me as much as teaching). Conversely, I feel like majoring in just education would leave me not really knowing as much about my topic area (history) as one should. I'm also worried that i'll change my "LIFE PLAN" (really hoping no) and i'd want a school that has a solid back-up plan or major. But, I think education is the thing. I've really loved everything i've done with kids (even my occasionally difficult middle schoolers at my job) and I have a weird passion for history.</p>

<p>So yeah. If any can offer advice (and if you even read this ramble), that would be amazing. Thank you.</p>

2

<p>My niece double-majored in French and education at a small LAC in NY State but teaches in NH. Because you do not need to be certified to substitute there, she became a long-term sub at a middle school right out of college and got her NH cert at that time. The position became permanent the following year and she was asked to teach a math class as well. She just completed her 5th year at the MS and began this fall at the HS level in the same city. She is working on her Masters at the same time. </p>

<p>It’s entirely possible to teach right out of college if you have the right degree. A person with a poli sci or history degree only won’t be able to.</p>

<p>My niece did not have much money to spend on her education but was very highly ranked. The college she attended give generous merit aid to the top three spots in any class who applies. I would be happy to PM you more info if you’d like. I keep track of these things since my youngest wants to teach also.</p>

3

<p>My current plan is to attend a state U for undergrad and MAT. I’m planning on becoming a high school English teacher. My state U (I’m in GA) would be nearly free, so I could save up for my MAT (a 1-year program) while I’m in undergrad. </p>

<p>My band teacher went to a different GA state U for undergrad in music education. He had been teaching for 9 years before he got his grad degree (because teachers are payed very little without a grad degree here). He’s currently working on his PhD. </p>

<p>I’d definitely recommend going to grad school right after undergrad. That way, you’re all done by the time you’re ready to work. You’d have tons of experience by that point!</p>

<p>Let me know if you need any more help.</p>

4

<p>If I were you I would get my B.A. in secondary education with a concentration in history. You shouldn’t need your masters to teach you should be able to teach right out of high school as long as you have the right degree.</p>

<p>Of course you can always get your masters once you get a job. Hope this helps.</p>

5

<p>It can be very hard to get a teaching job in the Northeast…Most of my school system’s teachers are from NY or PA because there are no teaching jobs there for them due to tenures and unions…</p>

6

<p>At my school (and a lot of others) you would MAJOR in history, and get secondary certification in education.
I’ve heard mixed things about getting your MAT right away/with time/etc. I’m not quite sure about high school either, but it’s something like that.</p>