Thinking of teaching history.

brianm99

Hi,

So I’m thinking of studying a PME so I can teach history at secondary level but I have a few questions that the Teaching Council haven’t been very helpful with. I want to do history but I feel like having a second subject will make it a lot easier to get a job in a school, is this the case?

If I were to pick a second subject I would like to do CSPE although I would need to study another Politics and Society degree to qualify for that. Before I go down that road I need to know is it worth it.

Are history and CSPE subjects that are in demand at the moment? Is it worth going to college for another 2 or 3 years to get a Politics and Society degree to teach CSPE or are there better options?

Any and all help is much appreciated.

appledrop

You haven't a hope of teaching with just History, you won't get a job. You need to have a 2nd subject but to be honest CSPE is not a great one to have.

Yes ideally people teaching it in school should be qualified but in reality that + SPHE is often dished out to loads of different teachers to fill timetables.

The majority of History teachers in jobs seem to have Geography or English as their 2nd subject.

gaiscioch

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058221204/thinking-of-teaching-history

I'd move back from that idea. 2 years on the PME and then another 2 years getting the requisite 60 degree credits to be TC-qualified to teach Politics & Society (a subject which in 2019, the last real LC exam year, had a mere 779 students sitting it: https://careersportal.ie/careerplanning/story.php?ID=2501203602)?

That's madness. Spend those 2-4 years doing the FEIs/solicitor exams (or some other money area you're interested in). Then get some niche specialisation in law where you're uber protected from competition and the like. There won't be any of that "law reform" nonsense coming before the next ice age so just get cosy in there with those years. And if you're still committed to the idea of helping people, a noble idea, there are areas of law which you can make a positive difference - human rights' law, etc.

These years aren't coming back so don't waste them. Follow the money and if you want to give something back, sign up as a coach in your local GAA club or something. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that if you really want to excel as a teacher it is very, very hard work bringing all the kids with you. Sure, there's enormous job satisfaction. But, perhaps it's worth considering that there are many other occupations where you'd put as much effort in to excel and get a far greater financial reward? This might not hit you until you get a financial reality check later on in life, or become conscious that you wil not have the energy to keep teaching with this much dedication forever, but that day will come so just focus on the money careers now and you'll find one which will also give you job satisfaction.