Becoming a history teacher may be one of the most important decisions you ever make in your life. The subject of history is one area, where all students need to have a wide range of knowledge. Supplying historical information to students will equip them with the necessary tools to make important future decisions about our country. A history teacher can give students the confidence and aptitude they need to achieve their goals.

The Web-Centric Alternative Certification Program (WCACP) has an online teacher certification program for individuals who are thinking about becoming a history teacher in the state of Texas. The program offers a 4-8 Social Studies certification, as well as a 4-8 Generalist certification that will allow teaching candidates to teach history. This program has many advantages over traditional alternative certification programs. Candidates can access this program anytime, anywhere, and receive the necessary training and instruction by working from the comfort of home. Students can work at their own leisure; so daily schedules and regular job hours will not be affected. This modern day program provides upcoming history teachers with a solid foundation of knowledge to transition to the teaching profession.

The Web-Centric Alternative Education Program can be done online, which allows history teachers in training to complete coursework and assignments at home or on the run. This program uses face-to-face online interaction for all project and group activities. This involves chats and videoconferencing over the Internet, 3-4 times a month. Candidates, who are interested in becoming an educator, can speak to other students, who are receiving training in the same content area. This allows candidates to assist each other and provide the necessary feedback to help everyone achieve their goals.

History teachers, who use the online training program, will have the skills and confidence needed to enter the classroom setting. Online modules guide students and give them the required knowledge to become an effective educator. Online modules involve items such as assignments, surveys, chats, polls, and interactive forums. By using a videoconferencing system, history teachers in the training program can interact with fellow teaching candidates or a Virtual Instructor for advice, feedback, and instruction.

There are several requirements that every individual must meet before being accepted into this alternative certification program. History teacher candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least a GPA of 2.5. If the overall GPA does not meet the requirements, the last 60 hours can be evaluated. History teaching candidates will also be required to submit an official transcript from all universities/colleges attended, three professional reference forms, a short online interview, and a completed payroll deduction form. Finally, there is a $50 application fee to process the necessary paperwork required to enter the program.

Once teaching candidates have begun the program, they will take the TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards) exam. The 4-8 Social Studies content exam will cover topics related to social studies. However, the 4-8 Generalist content exam will cover four subject areas: math, science, language arts, and social studies. The TExES content exam is offered to teaching candidates every two months. Teaching candidates, who utilize the online training program, will develop the confidence and skills necessary to perform at their best on test day. Materials and study guides to prepare each teaching candidate for the content exam will be provided by WCACP. This includes subject matter contained within online modules and providing study guides to each candidate in their content area.

History teachers play a critical role in shaping the views of tomorrow’s leaders. WCACP has an online training program for candidates, who are considering a career in teaching history. This program offers the flexibility and convenience of being able to transition careers from the comforts of home. Students can complete mandatory training by engaging in online videoconferencing, chats, and program modules in an efficient manner. Give tomorrow’s future leaders a fighting chance today by embarking on a new career in the field of education.