To become a geography teacher, you’ll need a thorough understanding of global, regional, and local geography, as well as excellent map-reading skills. Most geography classes also include topics like history and current events. A bachelor’s degree is usually required, but a master’s degree may be preferable. Anyone who wants to work as a geography teacher must also have student-teaching experience and state certification.
The first step toward becoming a geography teacher is to meet the teaching requirements for the region or state where you want to work. A bachelor’s degree is usually required to be considered for a teaching position. Teaching, geography, or a combination of the two are the best degrees to have, but other degrees can also be used to become a geography teacher. If you don’t have a geography or history background, it’s a good idea to take some classes before applying for a teaching position.
Before applying for a full-time teaching position, student teaching can help you gain experience in the classroom. Student teaching is usually done as part of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program that includes a teaching component. If you haven’t finished your student teaching, it’s usually a good idea to take some teaching classes or go to a teaching seminar to learn about lesson planning and teaching methods.
To become a geography teacher, many places require certifications or post-graduate degrees. Before applying for jobs, find out what qualifications are required to teach in a particular region. A doctorate degree (PhD) may be required to teach at the university level.
Once you’ve completed all of the requirements for becoming a geography teacher, you can start looking for openings in local classified ads or in teaching publications. Some colleges have job placement offices that can assist you in finding open positions. You could also check with local school boards to see if there are any openings.
It’s important to promote both your geography and teaching skills when interviewing for a geography teaching position. Emphasize completed courses and projects, as well as any relevant work experience or training. Make sure you’re enthusiastic about both the subject and the potential students.