18

According to the Harry Potter book series, was being a former Hogwarts student a prerequisite for a Witch or a Wizard to become a Professor at Hogwarts?

Improve this question
3
  • "were" and "was it required" can be quite different in cases like this.
    – Kevin
    Commented Apr 28, 2012 at 2:25
  • I don't think it's required. That would hinder spreading knowledge between different schools of wizardy, and as such, it would be foolish.
    – b_jonas
    Commented Apr 28, 2012 at 15:53
  • 3
    Although Hagrid went to Hogwarts, he didn't even graduate. I like the idea that Hogwarts is an EOE - equal opportunity employer. What kinds of benefits do you think they have? Kidding.
    – magzalez
    Commented Apr 29, 2012 at 20:45

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
17

I would say no because Hogwarts is not a requirement for any witch or wizard. Some families homeschool (Mrs. Weasley taught the Weasley kids at home until they went to Hogwarts) and some send their kids to other schools (Lucius Malfoy wanted to send Draco to Durmstrang, but Narcissa objected to Draco being so far away from home).

It was only under Voldemort's reign during Deathly Hallows that Hogwarts was compulsory, but then again only for purebloods. Muggleborns were excluded from Hogwarts during that time.

So, again, no -- I don't think Hogwarts teachers have to have attended Hogwarts in order to teach.

Did not attend:

  • Firenze

Possibly did not attend Hogwarts:

  • Trelawney (Dumbledore did not seem familiar with Trelawney when he recounted his first meeting with her at the Hog's Head)

Former Hogwarts students who became teachers at Hogwarts:

  • Snape
  • McGonagall
  • Dumbledore
  • Sprout
  • Flitwick
  • Hagrid
  • Neville
  • Lupin
  • Quirrell
  • Lockhart
  • Slughorn

Unknown:

  • Barty Crouch Jr/Moody
  • Umbridge
  • the Carrows
  • Charity Burbage (Muggle Studies)
  • Sinistra (Astronomy)
  • Vector (Arithmancy)
  • Grubbly-Plank (COMC)
  • Binns (History of Magic)

If I've forgotten anyone else, leave a comment and I'll edit.

Improve this answer
10
  • Only muggle-borns were excluded, wizards only needed to prove one wizarding ancestor.
    – Kevin
    Commented Apr 28, 2012 at 2:28
  • 2
    @Kevin - Thanks for blowing my cover as a geeky, insufferable Potter know-it-all . . . In reality, I have actually never read the books. :P ;)
    – Slytherincess
    Commented Apr 28, 2012 at 4:32
  • 4
    @Slytherincess - "In reality, I have actually never read the books" - Oh! So YOU are the HP editor!
    – DVK-on-Ahch-To
    Commented Apr 29, 2012 at 5:21
  • 2
    @DVK - The OCD side of me insists upon the full list! And, yes, I am surely the HP editor -- Even as I type this I'm laughing at the plotholes all the way to the bank ;)
    – Slytherincess
    Commented Apr 29, 2012 at 6:32
  • 1
    @Janus: I recall Umbridge was labelled a Slytherin on her Pottermore page. Since the Pottermore update her House is no longer listed on her page, but she certainly did attend Hogwarts: pottermore.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/dolores-umbridge
    – BolteAltamont
    Commented Nov 19, 2015 at 4:46

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.