Professor McGonagall is one of the most important figures in the Harry Potter series. She was a teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Minerva McGonagall was a stern but fair Professor, and nobody wanted to get on her bad side. She has been teaching for quite some time, but she also has other duties at school.
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What Does Professor McGonagall Teach?
Professor McGonagall was a Transfiguration teacher.
Minerva McGonagall had a knack for Transfiguration since her early days at school as a student. She excelled at every subject (just like Hermione), but Transfiguration came to her naturally.
She was so skilled at it, she attempted and succeeded in becoming an Animagus, a highly complicated feat of turning oneself into an animal.
As a highly gifted witch, Minerva got the job of Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts within hours of applying. She ended up working with her old Professor, Albus Dumbledore, who was at the time Head of Transfiguration Department.
At the moment, though, Professor McGonagall doesn’t teach Transfiguration. She was promoted, and her new duties at school prevented her from having enough time to teach students anymore.
What Did Professor McGonagall Teach Before Transfiguration?
Professor McGonagall only ever taught Transfiguration since starting her career as a teacher at Hogwarts. She did, however, have another job before joining Hogwarts academic staff.
Minerva McGonagall worked at the Ministry of Magic in London. As a brilliant student with a very impressive school record and the highest grades in N.E.W.T.s, McGonagall has been offered a job in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
The summer after her graduation from Hogwarts she spent at home. It was her last opportunity to spend some more time with her family before she set out for the Ministry of Magic, where she worked for two years.
Unfortunately, due to private misfortunes and the discriminatory behavior of many of her colleagues towards Muggleborns, Minerva resented her promising job at the Ministry. She applied for a teaching post at her old school.Â
She has been accepted within hours of her application and has been offered a job as a Transfiguration Professor.
What is Professor McGonagall’s Position at Hogwarts?
Professor McGonagall held multiple positions at Hogwarts throughout her career at school. Although she started her job as Transfiguration Professor, she also became the Head of Gryffindor House. It was a natural choice, as she was a Gryffindor while being a student herself, and she deeply cared for the House and her students.
After the retirement of the previous Headmaster of Hogwarts, Armando Dippet, Albus Dumbledore took the position of a new Headmaster. Professor McGonagall then was offered his old place, and became Deputy Headmistress.
Professor McGonagall seemed to have a lot of work between the three positions she maintained at Hogwarts, yet she still had plenty of time to join the Second Order of the Phoenix, which aligned with her duties at school during the war.
After the war and the deaths of two previous Headmasters, Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape, Professor McGonagall became the new Headmistress at Hogwarts, renouncing her Transfiguration Professor duties.
Although it is not mentioned anywhere in the books, we believe that she most likely kept her position as Head of Gryffindor House.
Final Thoughts
Professor McGonagall certainly excelled at everything she touched, but she had a particular gift for Transfiguration. It is no surprise that when she applied for the teaching job at Hogwarts, she got offered a Transfiguration Professor post.
Professor McGonagall also held multiple other posts at the school before reaching the highest step of the ladder, the job of the Headmistress.