Successful History Teacher: Qualities, Qualifications and Characteristics

The success or failure of a course in history rests mainly with the teacher. The most important factor in entire educational programme is the teacher.

It is the teacher on whom the real success or failure of any method, aid, device or procedure depends. It is he who can evaluate how far the aims and objectives of teaching have been achieved.

The history teacher not only deals with the successes and failures of the man in the past but also of the current and recurrent events and happenings of the world of today and so he is of special importance.

Conceptual Framework - The Teachers College | Emporia State University

Image Source: emporia.edu/dotAsset/b3bcb048-c051-4608-92e9-afcb03ec20f8.jpg

Lord R. Bryce has rightly observed, “The teacher of history must have the power of realising the date passed in a living present and have a touch of imagination as well as vastly large amount of positive knowledge, then he will attempt to pile upon the memory of his class”.

In this regard the Kothari Commission report (1966) says, “Of all the different factors which influence the quality of education and its contribution to national development, the quality, competence and character of teachers are undoubtedly the most significant”.

The role of teacher has been emphasized by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in the following words, “The teacher’s place in society is of vital importance. He acts as the pivot for transmission of intellectual traditions and technical skill from generation to generation, and helps to keep the lamp of civilization burning.

He not only guides the individual, but also, so to say, the destiny of nation Teachers have, therefore, to realise their special responsibility to the society. On the other hand, it is incumbent on the society to pay due regard to the teaching profession and to ensure that the teacher is kept above want and given the status which will command respect from his students”.

In order to achieve all the objects, the teacher of history must have some qualities and specific qualifications.

Qualities and qualifications of a history teacher:

A history teacher is expected to possess certain academic qualifications as also certain professional qualifications.

As regards the academic qualifications it is usually a pass in matriculation/senior secondary examination for becoming a history teacher in a primary school. A pass in B.A. examination for being a teacher in history in middle or high school and a pass in M.A. examination for being a teacher in a senior secondary school

In addition to the above academic qualifications, anyone who wishes to be appointed as a history teacher has to undergo a teachers training course (i.e., either G.B.T. or B.T/B.Ed.). This professional training is all the more important these days when new techniques of teaching, evaluation etc., are being introduced.

Trained teachers also require the stimulus of a refresher course to keep them informed about the latest methods of teaching and to refresh his knowledge of history. All this is quite essential because a good teacher must always keep him self-informed of the latest development in the field. This aspect of teacher has been brought out in the following words by Dr.Rabinder Nath Tagore, “A teacher can never truly teach unless he is still learning himself. A lamp cannot light another lamp unless it continues to burn its own flame”.

Characteristics of an ideal history teacher:

A successful history teacher must have the following qualities:

1. Thorough Knowledge of the Subject:

Like the teacher of any other subject a history teacher should have a thorough knowledge of the subject. For such knowledge the teacher should read various reference books in addition to the prescribed text-books. Such a study will help the teacher to grasp the spirit of the subject and study it in a proper perspective.

The continuity in study is also essential to keep the knowledge of the subject upto date. It is not essential that a secondary school teacher be a specialist of his subject but it is essential that he should be able to present the facts of history in a psychological manner. For such a presentation teacher should be aware of the fact that social sciences are a developing subject.

2. Knowledge of Child Psychology:

For being a successful teacher in any subject knowledge of child psychology is essential and so is the case with history teacher. The psychological requirements of child differ from age to age and a teacher must have a thorough knowledge of child psychology if he wishes to impart the knowledge of the subject in a proper manner. Thus the knowledge • of child psychology and its proper use can contribute a lot in teaching of history.

3. Faith in Subject:

Unless a teacher has faith in his subject, he will not be able to acquire thorough knowledge of it. This faith also encourages the teacher to learn more and more. This faith also enables the teacher to realise the utility and the value of teaching history.

4. Knowledge of Different Methods of Teaching:

The knowledge of various methods of teaching is essential because it is only then possible to choose a suitable method according to the requirements of a particular class, e.g., a student at the age of 14 is fond of excursions and travels and a good teacher knowing it can co-ordinate the two in his teaching method to make the teaching successful.

5. Knowledge of Regional and Provincial History:

In addition to thorough knowledge of history of our country, a good history teacher must have a good knowledge of regional and provincial history. While teaching history he should give examples from this history.

6. Knowledge of Current Events:

Such knowledge helps the teacher in making a comparative study of the events of various periods, in the history of different countries of the world.

7. Knowledge of Aims and Objectives of Teaching of History: