I want to be a social studies teacher. history is my passion and i really do love it. I am just wondering about majors. Would it be better to get a bachelors in history and get certified or major in adolescent education with a focus in social studies? I know eventually that I will need to go back to get the masters but just want to know opinions
Most definitely a subject major. So major in Social Studies.
You can pick up the necessary education credits as part of the certification process-- they’ll have you as a Social Studies major in the School of Education or something.
But you absolutely positively NEED to know your content if you have any hopes of teaching it. You’ve got to know what they learned last year and what they’ll need to know next year and what’s on the Regents the year after that. You’ve got to be able to ask those "I was just wondering…"questions that have only the tiniest link to the lesson you’ve prepared.
Major in History then get your masters in education. And for those “I was just wondering…” questions, you can always use the old standby: “Why don’t you look it up and bring it in tomorrow for extra credit?” Nailed it.
Nope.
Know the answer to “I was just wondering…”
No kid in the history of education has ever believed that “look up the answer for extra credit” translates into “I really want you to learn to be inquisitive.” They all know it means “I don’t know the answer to your question.”
New York State has very specific requirements to obtain certification as a social studies teacher. In addition to those requirements (which can be found on the nysed.gov website under requirements for teacher certification), it is the most popular of all certifications issued for teaching in NYS; hence, the market for jobs is highly competitive. You have to major in Having a second certification (foreign language, technology, science or mathematics) or a coaching skill will improve your chance of getting hired. Prepare for your next four years by asking school districts administrators what they are looking for when they are hiring and plan your education accordingly.
Ha, I’ve never offered extra credit for looking something up - no one would do it. But realistically, despite having very very strong English knowledge, kids come up with the craziest things, especially if the lesson is interdisciplinary. Like an obscure question about a WWI battle during a lesson on propaganda techniques.
Or a dual certification in special ed. You really ned more than 1 certification these days. You can also talk to your colleges of interest and see what their education professors recommend. I’m going for childhood education with a concentration in English so I can’t be much help.