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I need some advice--I want to become a math teacher so I was thinking of starting my second bachelors this Fall ( B.S. in Mathematics and Comp Science) then getting a M.Ed. in Mathematics (a licensure program) when I'm finished. Is this a foolish idea, seeing as a lot of schools are laying off teachers? Everyone keeps telling me, "Oh, we'll always need math teachers!" but that sounds like it could be false; kind of like the We-have-a-teaching-shortage myth.
I'm interested in teaching H.S. Trig, Pre-Calc or Calc, but would prefer to teach regular and AP Calc. What are the chances of this happening?
All advice welcome!
Thanks!
Last edited by ArtisticAthlete; 05-18-2010 at 10:12 PM..
I need some advice--I want to become a math teacher so I was thinking of starting my second bachelors this Fall ( B.S. in Mathematics and Comp Science) then getting a M.Ed. in Mathematics (a licensure program) when I'm finished. Is this a foolish idea, seeing as a lot of schools are laying off teachers? Everyone keeps telling me, "Oh, we'll always need math teachers!" but that sounds like it could be false; kind of like the We-have-a-teaching-shortage myth.
I'm interested in teaching H.S. Trig, Pre-Calc or Calc, but would prefer to teach regular and AP Calc. What are the chances of this happening?
All advice welcome!
Thanks!
Unfortunately, THEY are wrong. I know you already saw my other post.
I'm not sure where you are but here, the only jobs available, to those who find them, are low paying charter school jobs. If you're willing to work for peanuts to teach, you'll likely find work in a charter or private school. If you want to make a decent living teaching, forget it. I don't think that's happening for any time soon.
As to whether or not there will be a need in 5 years, two days ago I would have said yes. I would have said that the economy will be on the mend and the first of the baby boomers retiring and that that would create jobs. Then I got that email telling me I'm one of 165 applicants for a math position. Granted this is a desired district but 165 applicants??? All with math certs!!!! That's a lot of math teachers looking for work.
If you're young enough and willing to work for peanuts for many years to teach, go for it but understand that you will not have the wages that are posted for your state. Reality is, I have zero hope of EVER making what is listed as the pay for a first year math teacher in my state. I'd have to beat out 165 other candidates and I'm going to bet I'm not the best in a lot that size.
If you want to give yourself better odds, be in position to coach a sport. The more you have to offer, the better off you'll be.
You need to be aware that different parts of the country you have different opportunities. Pennsylvania, including my district is still hiring. However, everybody we hire is the valedictorian of their college, or has magna or summa *** laude in graduate school. You have to have exceptional qualifications, and you need some way to get into the system. Simply sending a resume will not get you a job; we get literally hundreds of those; recently one of our elementary administrator made a mistake of advertising, and his mail box filled up with 400 resume messages.
You need to make a personal contact or have a personal contact so you can even get an interview. But science: physics and AP calculus are easier to get. Problem is that if you have those skills you can probably get a job in industry. But I can only speak for South central PA.
I would train for industry, but keep teaching credentials. If you were you were a couple of years in industry it would give you a leg up on any other applicant with experience that they DO NOT HAVE.
Yes, I will coach a sport--Basketball or Soccer. I'm assuming you just put that in your cover letter?
I know I'd make more money in an industry job but I'm not sure what type of industry jobs I can get with a B.S. in Math? I'm definitely going to get a B.S. in Math, I was just wondering if I should get a M.S. in math or a M.Ed. in Math. By the false we-need-math-teachers line, I guess I should go for the M.S.
Does anyone know anything about teaching at the junior college level??? That was my first goal but people are trying to sway me into teaching a high-level, H.S. math class...
Yes, I will coach a sport--Basketball or Soccer. I'm assuming you just put that in your cover letter?
I know I'd make more money in an industry job but I'm not sure what type of industry jobs I can get with a B.S. in Math? I'm definitely going to get a B.S. in Math, I was just wondering if I should get a M.S. in math or a M.Ed. in Math. By the false we-need-math-teachers line, I guess I should go for the M.S.
Does anyone know anything about teaching at the junior college level??? That was my first goal but people are trying to sway me into teaching a high-level, H.S. math class...
Get a different degree. I have a B.S. in math and it is totally useless. I could have gotten an easy-breezy-business degree from an el cheapo school and done just as "well". Engineering would be a much better choice, as is anything but teaching as others have said.
I need some advice--I want to become a math teacher so I was thinking of starting my second bachelors this Fall ( B.S. in Mathematics and Comp Science) then getting a M.Ed. in Mathematics (a licensure program) when I'm finished. Is this a foolish idea, seeing as a lot of schools are laying off teachers? Everyone keeps telling me, "Oh, we'll always need math teachers!" but that sounds like it could be false; kind of like the We-have-a-teaching-shortage myth.
I'm interested in teaching H.S. Trig, Pre-Calc or Calc, but would prefer to teach regular and AP Calc. What are the chances of this happening?
All advice welcome!
Thanks!
Despite the teaching issues here in NJ their is one open position in my school. Math. In my district the majority of math teachers are within 4-5 years of retirement. I am not sure if this is universal but it was also true at the school I taught at before. Maybe that is where the math need came from.
Unless you've got nepotism working for you, the teaching profession is extremely hard to break into. One would think that in 5 years (at the approx graduating date of the OP) it should open up somewhat since the average age of teachers in some states is now in their 50's. However, state budget cuts I believe will continue to target education first since it's so easy.
Fewer teachers, less discipline, and fewer course offerings seem to be the future as foreseen by state legislators.
It really depends where you are. I am fairly confident I will be able to find a job here next year.
I agree with going into industry first. Get your bachelors, get a job, and get your masters through night school or weekend programs. I've worked in IT consulting for a few years now, and have found it to be REALLY helpful with all my classroom time so far. It's given me confidence in public speaking, a strong background in dealing with management/paperwork (administration), and the ability to answer the "why the heck do I have to learn this?" questions. Plus, whenever I talk to administrators or teachers, they seem to like the industry experience. And, should I not be able to find a job next year, I still have a career to fall back on.
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Granted this is a desired district but 165 applicants??? All with math certs!!!! That's a lot of math teachers looking for work.
