2026 How to Become a High School History Teacher in Tennessee: Requirements & Certification
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If you want to teach high school history in Tennessee, the real challenge is not simply choosing a history major. You need to complete the right educator preparation pathway, document classroom experience, pass the required Praxis exams, apply through the state licensing system, and continue meeting renewal expectations once you are hired. This guide explains the steps in practical order so you can compare programs, avoid licensing mistakes, and understand what the career may look like before you invest time and money.
This article is designed for college students, career changers, substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, and out-of-state educators who want to teach history or social studies at the high school level in Tennessee. You will learn the education requirements, certification process, clinical experience expectations, curriculum standards, salary considerations, professional development options, alternative pathways, and common decisions candidates should make carefully.
Quick answer: How do you become a high school history teacher in Tennessee?
To become a high school history teacher in Tennessee, you generally need at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, completion of a state-approved educator preparation program, required clinical teaching experience, passing Praxis scores for the applicable teaching field, a background check, and an approved license application through the Tennessee Department of Education. New teachers typically begin with an Initial License, and long-term teaching requires renewal, professional growth, and continued compliance with state standards.
Key things to know before starting
- Licensing authority: The Tennessee State Board of Education sets teacher licensure rules and standards, while the Tennessee Department of Education manages the application process and licensing portal.
- Minimum education: Candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and complete an approved educator preparation program that matches the intended teaching area.
- Testing requirement: Praxis exams are a central part of the process. Candidates may need Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests in reading, writing, and mathematics, along with Praxis Subject Assessments tied to the subject they plan to teach. Passing scores vary by subject and are set by the Tennessee State Board of Education.
- Application documents: Applicants should be prepared to submit transcripts, Praxis scores, educator preparation verification, and background check documentation through the Tennessee Department of Education’s online licensing system.
- License progression: Tennessee offers an Initial License for new teachers, which is valid for three years. A Professional License requires additional experience and professional growth. Teachers must renew their licenses every five years.
- Education requirements for Tennessee high school history teachers
- Certification and licensing steps in Tennessee
- Student teaching, clinical experience, and internships
- Tennessee history standards and high school curriculum expectations
- Job market and salary expectations in Tennessee
- Professional development and continuing education options
- Classroom management and teaching methods for history teachers
- Additional resources for aspiring history teachers
- Career advancement and specialization options
- Legal and ethical responsibilities for Tennessee history teachers
- Using early childhood experience to strengthen history teaching
- How special education training can improve history instruction
- How mentorship can support history teacher growth
- Using historical research to improve classroom teaching
- Professional networking for Tennessee history teachers
- Interdisciplinary methods for stronger history lessons
- Why certification standards matter for history instruction
- History versus math teacher certification requirements in Tennessee
- Resources and support for new Tennessee history teachers
- Financial and alternative pathways into history teaching
- Communication strategies that improve history teaching
- Inclusive history teaching strategies for students with special needs
What are the educational requirements for becoming a history teacher in Tennessee?
The standard route begins with a bachelor’s degree and an approved educator preparation program. For future high school history teachers, the strongest preparation usually combines deep history or social studies coursework with training in lesson design, adolescent learning, assessment, classroom management, and supervised teaching.
A history degree alone may not be enough if it does not include a state-approved teacher preparation component. Likewise, an education degree should be checked carefully to confirm that it prepares candidates for the correct high school history or social studies teaching area in Tennessee.
| Requirement | What it means for candidates | Why it matters |
| Bachelor’s degree | You need at least a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in history, education, social studies, or a closely related field. | This is the academic foundation for teacher licensure and subject-area preparation. |
| History and education coursework | Programs commonly include U.S. history, world history, educational psychology, teaching methods, and assessment. | High school teachers must understand both historical content and how students learn complex material. |
| State-approved educator preparation | The program should be approved for Tennessee licensure and include supervised school-based experiences. | Completing an approved pathway is essential before applying for a Tennessee teaching license. |
| Accredited institution | Students should attend an accredited college or university. Tennessee recognizes programs accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or similar bodies. | Accreditation helps ensure the program meets quality expectations and may affect licensure eligibility. |
| Subject matter competency | Candidates demonstrate readiness through the appropriate Praxis Subject Assessments in history or the relevant teaching field. | The state uses testing to verify that teachers have the content knowledge needed for the classroom. |
Should you major in history, education, or social studies?
A history major can be a strong option if it includes or pairs with a teacher preparation track. An education major may be better if it is clearly designed for secondary social studies or history licensure. A social studies-focused program can also be practical because high school history teachers may be expected to teach related subjects such as civics, geography, economics, or government depending on district needs.
Questions to ask before choosing a program
- Is this program approved for teacher licensure in Tennessee?
- Does it prepare students for high school history, social studies, or another endorsement area?
- What Praxis exams does the program prepare candidates to take?
- How are student teaching placements arranged?
- Will transfer credits, online courses, or prior degrees count toward program requirements?
- Does the program provide licensure advising before graduation?
What is the certification and licensing process for history teachers in Tennessee?
The Tennessee licensure process is best understood as a sequence: complete the required education, finish an approved preparation program, pass the required exams, complete the background check, and submit a complete application. Candidates coming from another state or from a career-change pathway should confirm how their previous coursework and experience will be evaluated before assuming they qualify.
Some states use terms such as a Single Subject Teaching Credential in History. Tennessee candidates should focus on the Tennessee license and endorsement area that authorizes high school history or social studies instruction rather than relying on out-of-state terminology.
| Step | What to do | Common mistake to avoid |
| 1. Earn the required degree | Complete at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. | Choosing a degree that does not lead to Tennessee teacher licensure. |
| 2. Finish an approved educator preparation program | Complete the pedagogy, content, and clinical components required by the state-approved program. | Assuming a general history degree automatically qualifies you to teach. |
| 3. Pass Praxis requirements | Take the Praxis exams required for your teaching field, including applicable content assessments. | Waiting until the end of the program to learn which exams and scores are required. |
| 4. Complete the background check | Follow state instructions for the criminal background check. | Submitting the license application without required clearance documentation. |
| 5. Apply for licensure | Submit transcripts, test scores, program verification, and other materials through the Tennessee Department of Education licensing portal. | Missing documents, incorrect personal information, or outdated test records can delay approval. |
Once approved, new educators may begin with an Initial License. Over time, teachers move toward a Professional License by meeting experience and professional growth expectations. Because renewal rules and testing requirements can change, candidates should verify current instructions with the Tennessee Department of Education and their educator preparation provider before applying.
How important is teaching experience and what are the internship opportunities for history teachers in Tennessee?
Classroom experience is not a formality. It is where candidates learn how to turn historical knowledge into teachable lessons, manage a room of adolescents, assess student understanding, and respond to varied reading levels and learning needs. In Tennessee, candidates must complete a state-approved educator preparation program that includes a minimum of 200 hours of clinical experience.
Student teaching is typically completed near the end of the preparation program and gives candidates extended practice under the supervision of an experienced educator. This experience can also become an informal job interview if the placement school or district later has openings.
How to get the most from student teaching
- Ask for direct feedback: Request specific comments on lesson pacing, questioning, classroom transitions, and assessment design.
- Collect evidence of your work: Keep sample lesson plans, student-friendly rubrics, reflection notes, and anonymized examples of instructional materials for future interviews.
- Practice different formats: Use discussion, source analysis, short lectures, group work, document-based questions, and project-based learning so you can show range.
- Learn school systems: Pay attention to gradebooks, parent communication, IEP/504 processes, faculty meetings, and district curriculum tools.
- Build professional relationships: Mentor teachers, department chairs, and administrators can become references or alert you to openings.
Where to look for internships and field experience
- Local school districts: Many districts coordinate placements with nearby colleges and universities.
- University career centers: Career services offices may know about district partnerships, substitute teaching options, tutoring roles, or education internships.
- Educational nonprofits: Organizations focused on civic education, youth programs, museums, and historical learning may provide relevant experience.
- Alternative pathways: Options such as Teach for America or alternative licensure programs may allow candidates to gain classroom experience while working toward certification.
What are the Tennessee state standards and curriculum requirements for teaching high school history?
High school history teachers in Tennessee must plan instruction around state social studies standards. These standards do more than list historical events. They require students to analyze evidence, interpret primary and secondary sources, understand geography, connect historical developments to civic life, and examine economic and cultural change.
- Standards alignment: Lesson plans should connect clearly to Tennessee’s social studies expectations, including historical analysis, source evaluation, geographic reasoning, economics, and civics.
- Local and state history: Tennessee history can help students connect national themes to nearby places, events, and communities. Examples such as the Coal Creek labor saga can support discussions of labor rights and the abolition of the convict-leasing system.
- Southeastern Indigenous history: The curriculum also includes attention to North American Indian cultures, especially those connected to the Southeast, helping students understand Tennessee’s broader historical context.
- Assessment expectations: Teachers should design activities that show whether students can explain, compare, interpret, and support claims with evidence rather than simply recall dates.
- Instructional resources: State-developed assessments, workshops, archives, and professional learning opportunities can help teachers implement standards more effectively.
What this means for lesson planning
A strong Tennessee history lesson should identify the standard, define what students must be able to do, use relevant sources, include checks for understanding, and provide ways for students to discuss or write evidence-based interpretations. Project-based learning, document analysis, local history investigations, and structured debate can all work well when they are tied to measurable objectives.
Educators interested in broader education pathways can also review related education career options to understand how classroom teaching connects with other roles in the field.
What is the job market like and what are the salary expectations for history teachers in Tennessee?
The employment outlook for history teachers in Tennessee depends heavily on district hiring needs, geography, school budgets, turnover, and whether candidates can teach multiple social studies subjects. Urban districts such as Nashville or Memphis may have more openings because they serve larger student populations, while rural areas may have fewer positions but less applicant competition in some cases.
According to the salary information provided, the average salary for a high school history teacher in Tennessee is around $50,000 per year. Teachers in urban areas such as Nashville or Memphis may earn more, often exceeding $55,000, while some rural positions may be closer to $45,000. Another way to view the range is that high school history teachers in Tennessee may earn between $40,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, education level, and district salary schedules.
| Salary factor | How it can affect pay |
| Location | Large districts may offer different salary schedules than rural districts, and compensation can vary by region. |
| Experience | Teachers generally move up district salary schedules as they gain years of service. |
| Education level | Advanced degrees may qualify teachers for higher pay categories in some districts. |
| Additional credentials | Certifications such as National Board Certification may create opportunities for recognition or salary advancement, depending on district and state policies. |
| Benefits | Health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave can significantly affect total compensation beyond base salary. |
Is becoming a history teacher in Tennessee worth it?
It may be worth it if you want a public-service career, enjoy working with teenagers, and are prepared for the demands of lesson planning, classroom management, grading, and ongoing professional development. It may not be the best fit if your main goal is a high starting salary, if you dislike public speaking, or if you prefer work with little emotional labor or after-hours preparation.
What professional development and continuing education opportunities are available for history teachers in Tennessee?
Professional development is important for both license maintenance and classroom improvement. History teachers must keep up with standards, instructional technology, assessment practices, archival resources, and changing interpretations in the field. Continuing education can also help teachers prepare for leadership roles or advanced coursework.
- East Tennessee Historical Society workshops: The East Tennessee Historical Society offers virtual and in-person workshops for history educators. Topics can include programs such as National History Day, which supports student research, argumentation, and critical thinking.
- Discover Tennessee History Consortium: This consortium brings together historical organizations that offer webinars, conferences, and classroom resources for educators who want deeper content knowledge and better teaching strategies.
- Continuing education credits: Tennessee teachers must complete professional learning to maintain licensure. Workshops, conferences, graduate courses, and approved district professional development can help meet those expectations.
- Graduate study: Teachers who want advanced content knowledge, instructional leadership preparation, or salary schedule movement may compare master’s programs, including related education degree options.
How to choose professional development that is actually useful
- Prioritize training that provides classroom-ready materials, not only theory.
- Look for sessions tied to Tennessee standards and common high school courses.
- Choose workshops that improve source analysis, writing instruction, or assessment design.
- Ask whether participation can count toward continuing education or professional learning requirements.
- Keep records of completion for licensure renewal and district documentation.
What are effective classroom management strategies and teaching methods for history teachers in Tennessee?
History classrooms work best when students know what is expected, lessons are structured, and discussions are guided carefully. Because history often involves conflict, identity, power, and competing interpretations, teachers need both strong content knowledge and deliberate facilitation skills.
| Strategy | How it helps in a history classroom |
| Clear routines | Consistent entry tasks, discussion norms, and assignment procedures reduce confusion and off-task behavior. |
| Source-based instruction | Primary and secondary sources teach students how historians build arguments from evidence. |
| Structured discussion | Protocols help students debate sensitive topics respectfully and support claims with evidence. |
| Multimedia learning | Documentaries, maps, timelines, photographs, and digital archives can make abstract events easier to understand. |
| Differentiated instruction | Adapted readings, vocabulary support, choice-based assignments, and flexible assessments help students with different needs engage with the same historical questions. |
| Project-based learning | Research projects, exhibits, oral histories, and local history investigations help students connect classroom content to real communities. |
Common classroom mistakes to avoid
- Relying only on lectures and expecting students to remember disconnected facts.
- Assigning primary sources without teaching students how to read difficult language or context clues.
- Allowing controversial discussions without clear expectations for evidence, respect, and relevance.
- Using technology because it looks engaging rather than because it improves learning.
- Ignoring students with IEPs, 504 plans, language needs, or reading challenges until they fall behind.
What additional resources can aspiring history teachers utilize to enhance their career prospects?
Aspiring educators should use more than one source of guidance. State licensure pages, university advisors, district human resources offices, Praxis preparation materials, and current teachers can each answer different questions. For a dedicated overview of how to become a high school history teacher in Tennessee, candidates can also review career-focused resources that organize the process from education planning through certification and job search preparation.
What are the career advancement opportunities and specializations for history teachers in Tennessee?
High school history teaching can lead to several career directions. Some teachers remain in the classroom and take on advanced courses, mentoring, curriculum projects, or department leadership. Others move into administration, instructional coaching, policy work, museum education, archives, or higher education after earning additional credentials.
| Advancement path | What it may involve | Who it fits |
| Department chair | Supporting other social studies teachers, coordinating curriculum, and helping with assessment planning. | Teachers who enjoy leadership but want to remain close to classroom practice. |
| Advanced degree | Pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in history, education, curriculum, or leadership. | Educators seeking deeper expertise, salary schedule movement, or future leadership roles. |
| Public history | Working with museums, archives, historical preservation, or community history projects. | Teachers interested in applying history outside the traditional classroom. |
| Advanced placement or specialized courses | Teaching more rigorous courses or building expertise in specific historical fields. | Teachers who want to deepen content instruction and work with advanced learners. |
| Administration | Moving toward roles such as school administrator, supervisor, or curriculum leader, often requiring additional certification. | Teachers interested in schoolwide decision-making and organizational leadership. |
Cost matters when considering graduate study. Teachers comparing further education can explore affordable online education degree options and weigh tuition, employer reimbursement, flexibility, accreditation, and whether the program supports the intended career step.
What legal and ethical considerations must history teachers follow in Tennessee?
Tennessee history teachers are responsible for more than content delivery. They must follow licensure rules, protect student safety, maintain professional boundaries, respect student rights, and teach sensitive historical topics with care. Legal and ethical judgment is especially important in history classes because the subject often includes race, religion, politics, war, civil rights, and contested public memory.
Legal responsibilities
- Valid licensure: Teachers must hold the appropriate Tennessee teaching license for their assignment.
- Compliance with state and federal law: Instruction, grading, accommodations, student records, and professional conduct must align with applicable requirements.
- Student safety obligations: Teachers are expected to follow reporting rules and district policies when they observe misconduct or risks to student well-being.
Ethical expectations
- Accuracy and honesty: History teachers should use evidence responsibly and correct misinformation when it appears in classroom discussion or materials.
- Fair treatment: Students should have equal access to learning regardless of race, gender, beliefs, disability, background, or identity.
- Professional boundaries: Teachers must avoid conduct that harms students, compromises trust, or violates district policy.
- Respectful handling of controversy: Students can examine multiple viewpoints while teachers maintain a classroom environment grounded in evidence and civil discussion.
Educators who want to explore work beyond K-12 schools can compare related higher education career pathways and consider how teaching, research, advising, and administration differ across settings.
How can early childhood teaching experience enhance your history teaching career in Tennessee?
Early childhood teaching experience can strengthen skills that matter in high school classrooms, including patience, communication, differentiation, behavior support, and lesson scaffolding. Work connected to preschool teacher assistant requirements in Tennessee can help future educators understand developmental differences and adapt instruction for students who need more structure, modeling, or encouragement.
This experience does not replace high school licensure requirements, but it can make a candidate more reflective and flexible. History teachers who understand learning development are often better prepared to break complex topics into manageable steps.
How can pursuing an advanced degree in special education improve my history teaching practice in Tennessee?
Special education training can help history teachers design more accessible lessons, create adaptive assessments, collaborate with support staff, and use interventions that make source reading, writing, and discussion more manageable for students with diverse needs. Teachers considering this route can compare online schools for masters in special education while checking accreditation, fieldwork expectations, cost, and whether the program aligns with their Tennessee goals.
How can mentorship programs advance history teaching careers in Tennessee?
Mentorship can shorten the learning curve for new history teachers. A strong mentor can review lesson plans, observe classroom routines, explain district expectations, help with parent communication, and suggest ways to handle difficult discussions. Mentors may also introduce teachers to professional networks and leadership opportunities.
Educators who want to compare how teaching expectations differ by grade level may find value in reviewing how to become a kindergarten teacher in Tennessee, especially when thinking about developmental stages, family communication, and classroom structure.
How can ongoing historical research drive more effective teaching in Tennessee?
History instruction improves when teachers continue reading, researching, and revising their materials. New scholarship, archival discoveries, local history projects, and museum resources can help teachers present the past as an evidence-based discipline rather than a fixed list of facts.
Teachers who want stronger research and resource organization skills may also explore how to become a librarian in Tennessee, since library and archival work can support document selection, source evaluation, and student research projects.
How can professional networking accelerate my career as a history teacher in Tennessee?
Networking helps teachers find lesson ideas, job leads, mentors, conference opportunities, and collaborators for projects such as National History Day, oral history assignments, museum partnerships, and interdisciplinary units. Local teacher groups, district professional learning communities, historical organizations, and online educator communities can all be useful.
Teachers considering different school environments can also review how to become a private school teacher in Tennessee to compare expectations, hiring practices, and classroom roles outside public school systems.
How can interdisciplinary teaching methods enrich history lessons in Tennessee?
Interdisciplinary teaching helps students see history as connected to literature, art, science, economics, geography, and civic life. A unit on a historical period can include maps, paintings, speeches, music, newspapers, demographic data, and scientific developments to help students analyze the past from more than one angle.
Teachers interested in creative integration can review how to become an art teacher in Tennessee for ideas on using visual analysis, historical images, and creative projects to deepen understanding.
How Does Adhering to Certification Standards Impact History Teaching in Tennessee?
Teacher certification requirements in Tennessee establish the baseline for educator preparation, content knowledge, professional conduct, and renewal. Meeting these standards signals that a teacher has completed the required preparation and remains accountable to state expectations.
Certification standards also protect students and schools. They help ensure that teachers stay current with pedagogy, classroom management, subject-area expectations, and professional learning rather than relying only on past coursework.
What are the differences in subject-specific certification requirements for history and math teachers in Tennessee?
History and math teachers both need Tennessee licensure, but their preparation priorities differ. History candidates emphasize interpretation, historical evidence, chronology, geography, civics, economics, and written argument. Math candidates must demonstrate quantitative reasoning, problem solving, and mathematics-specific instructional methods.
Because exam requirements, coursework, and endorsement areas differ by subject, candidates should not assume one teaching pathway applies to every field. To compare another high school subject route, review high school math teacher requirements in Tennessee.
What resources and support are available for new history teachers in Tennessee?
New history teachers should build a resource system before their first full year in the classroom. Strong resources can reduce planning time, improve accuracy, and help teachers create lessons that connect Tennessee history with national and global themes.
- Activity Bank: This resource includes lesson plans that connect children’s literature with primary sources from the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
- Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL): TEL provides access to over 400,000 articles, essays, and multimedia resources at no cost to Tennessee residents.
- TSLA Photograph Database: This collection offers historical images that can support visual analysis, classroom discussion, and student projects.
- Support networks: Professional organizations, district mentors, department colleagues, and history education groups can help new teachers solve instructional and classroom management problems.
Teachers planning graduate study can also compare affordable online master’s degrees in teaching to identify programs that match their budget, schedule, and professional goals.
What financial and alternative pathways exist for becoming a history teacher in Tennessee?
Teacher preparation can be expensive, especially for career changers or students who already carry undergraduate debt. Before enrolling, candidates should compare total cost, accreditation, licensure alignment, clinical placement support, transfer credit rules, and whether the program fits their work schedule.
One option is to research the cheapest online teaching credential programs Tennessee candidates may consider. Online formats can offer flexibility, but students should confirm that any program they choose is accepted for Tennessee licensure and includes the required school-based experience.
Alternative pathways may include residency programs, provisional licensure options, Teach for America, or district-supported routes. Tennessee’s Teacher Residency Program, offered through various districts, can provide mentorship and hands-on training while candidates earn a salary. These routes can be useful for career changers, but they still require careful attention to exams, supervision, and license requirements.
How can candidates reduce cost without choosing the wrong program?
- Confirm Tennessee licensure eligibility before comparing tuition.
- Ask whether financial aid, scholarships, grants, or tuition reimbursement are available.
- Check whether previous college credits can transfer.
- Compare online, hybrid, and campus formats based on total cost, not tuition alone.
- Ask whether the program arranges clinical placements or requires students to find their own.
What are the career prospects for history teachers in Tennessee?
Career prospects vary by region, district, and candidate qualifications. Urban areas often have more openings because of larger student populations, while smaller districts may hire fewer teachers in a given year. Candidates who can teach multiple social studies courses, show strong classroom experience, and demonstrate effective communication may be more competitive.
- Job market: Demand differs by district and location, so candidates should monitor postings across several regions.
- Salary expectations: Pay depends on experience, education, and district salary schedules. Starting salaries may be lower, with increases possible through tenure and additional qualifications.
- Benefits: Many districts offer health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave, and professional development support.
- Advancement: Experienced teachers may pursue department leadership, curriculum development, instructional coaching, or administrative roles.
How can effective communication strategies enhance history teaching in Tennessee?
History teachers need strong communication skills to explain complex events, guide discussion, give feedback on writing, communicate with families, and collaborate with colleagues. Structured dialogue, visual supports, digital tools, and clear writing expectations can make historical content more accessible.
Teachers who want formal training in public speaking, media, or digital communication may explore an accelerated communications degree and consider how those skills could support classroom instruction, presentations, and community engagement.
What inclusive teaching strategies can enhance history education for students with special needs in Tennessee?
Inclusive history teaching means giving students multiple ways to access content, demonstrate understanding, and participate in historical thinking. Teachers can use adapted readings, vocabulary previews, graphic organizers, small-group source analysis, audio supports, collaborative projects, and alternative assessments.
History teachers should also work closely with special education staff to align instruction with IEPs, accommodations, and student support plans. For more specialized guidance, review how to become a special education teacher in Tennessee and consider how those practices can improve social studies instruction.
What graduates say about becoming a high school history teacher in Tennessee
"Teaching history in Tennessee gives me a chance to help students understand the places and events around them. When we discuss the Civil Rights Movement and connect it to local history, students begin to see why the subject matters. That moment makes the work meaningful." — Jansen
"I grew up interested in Tennessee’s place in American history, and now I get to share that interest with my students. The best part is watching them realize that history is not distant from their lives." — Corby
"I was drawn to Tennessee history long before I became a teacher. Now I use those stories to help students ask better questions, examine evidence, and understand how the past shaped their communities." — Anne
Other things you should know about becoming a high school history teacher in Tennessee
What are the requirements to teach history in Tennessee?
To teach history in Tennessee, you generally need at least a bachelor’s degree in education, history, social studies, or a related field; completion of a state-approved educator preparation program; passing Praxis exam results for the required teaching area; a background check; and an approved license application through the Tennessee Department of Education. Teachers must also complete professional development to maintain certification.
How much do high school history teachers make in Tennessee?
High school history teachers in Tennessee may earn from $40,000 to $60,000 annually, depending on district, experience, education level, and location. The average salary cited for a high school history teacher in Tennessee is around $50,000 per year, with some urban salaries exceeding $55,000 and some rural positions closer to $45,000.
What skills are important for a high school history teacher?
Important skills include clear communication, classroom management, historical analysis, source evaluation, lesson planning, organization, technology use, and the ability to guide respectful discussion. Effective teachers also know how to support diverse learners and help students write evidence-based historical arguments.
Are there opportunities for advancement in this career?
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Yes. History teachers can advance into roles such as department chair, curriculum specialist, instructional coach, administrator, mentor teacher, public history educator, museum educator, or higher education professional. Some roles require graduate study, additional certification, or leadership experience.
References:
- tn.gov (n.d.). Tennessee Teacher Code of Ethics. Tennessee State Government
- easttnhistory.org (09 Feb 2023). Teacher Workshops. East Tennessee Historical Society
- faculty.tnstate.edu (n.d.). What is the value of a History degree? Jobs for History BAs Jobs for Humanities BAs History as preparation for graduate and professional school Famous History grads Resources on the web. Tennessee State University
- tnsoshistory.com (n.d.). Education Outreach: Classroom Resources. Tennessee State Library and Archives
Key Insights
- Becoming a high school history teacher in Tennessee requires more than content knowledge; candidates must complete an approved preparation pathway, pass Praxis requirements, satisfy clinical experience expectations, and apply through the state licensing process.
- The safest program choice is one that is accredited, approved for Tennessee licensure, aligned with the intended high school history or social studies teaching area, and able to support student teaching placements.
- Student teaching and the minimum of 200 hours of clinical experience are critical because they develop classroom management, lesson delivery, assessment, and professional judgment.
- Salary varies by district, experience, education, and location. The cited average is around $50,000 per year, with figures often exceeding $55,000 in some urban areas and closer to $45,000 in some rural areas.
- History teachers who build skills in special education, communication, technology, source analysis, and interdisciplinary teaching can become more effective and more competitive for advancement.
- Before enrolling in any pathway, ask three questions: Does it lead to Tennessee licensure, what exams and clinical experiences are required, and what will the total cost be after transfer credits, aid, and fees?
Other Things You Should Know About Becoming a High School History Teacher in Tennessee
To teach history in Tennessee, you must hold at least a bachelor's degree in education or a related field, with a focus on history or social studies. Additionally, you need to complete a teacher preparation program and pass the required Praxis exams. After meeting these educational requirements, you must apply for a teaching license through the Tennessee Department of Education. Continuous professional development is also essential to maintain your certification and stay updated on teaching practices.
To become a certified high school history teacher in Tennessee in 2026, candidates must pass the Praxis II Social Studies: Content Knowledge exam. Additionally, they need to pass the edTPA, a subject-specific assessment focusing on teaching practices and skills.
To become a high school history teacher in Tennessee in 2026, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in history or a related field along with an education program that leads to state teacher certification.
