Become a Math Teacher in Georgia

<p>Aspiring educators who want to teach math in Georgia must become certified in Middle Grades (4-8) Mathematics or Mathematics (6-12). This article provides a brief job description for teaching math in Georgia, an overview of Georgia's tiered teaching certification system, the steps for becoming a certified math teacher in Georgia, and information about advancement. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Education/Experience Required </td><td> Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; <br /> Completion of educator preparation program <br /></td></tr> <tr><td> Exams Required </td><td> GACE Program Admission Assessment; <br /> Educator Ethics Assessment - Program Entry; <br /> GACE Content Assessment: Middle Grades Mathematics or Mathematics; <br /> Educator Ethics Assessment - Program Exit; <br /> Content Pedagogy Assessment: edTPA</td></tr> <tr><td> License Validity Period </td><td> Induction Certificate, 3 years</td></tr> <tr><td> Mean Salary for teachers in Georgia (2018)* </td><td>$58,190 (Middle School), $58,050 (High School)*</td></tr> <tr><td> Job Growth for teachers (2016-2026, nationwide)* </td><td> 8% (Middle School), 8% (High School)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---JobDescription">Job Description</h3> <p>Math teachers in Georgia instruct students in mathematical concepts and problem-solving. Students are taught computational skills and how to apply these skills in other disciplines and in real-world settings. Math educators will teach students how to work through mathematical problems and how to evaluate mathematical arguments. Teachers will design course materials, plan classes, evaluate student learning through assignments and exams, help students outside of class, and meet with parents. They also attend meetings, attend classes and workshops for professional development, and may also advise after-school clubs. </p> <h3 id="section---GeorgiaSTieredCertificationSystem">Georgia's Tiered Certification System</h3> <p>There are four tiers in Georgia's teaching certification system: </p> <p>1. Pre-Service </p> <p>Certification at this tier is required for education students to do fieldwork and clinical practice in a Georgia institution. The institution where the student is completing their educator preparation program will apply for this certification on the student's behalf. </p> <p>2. Induction </p> <p>The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) defines four pathways to this certification. This article will be focused upon the first pathway, which is designed for candidates who have completed their educator preparation program in conjunction with their bachelor's degree in an institution in the state of Georgia. </p> <p>3. Professional (See 'Professional Certification' section) </p> <p>4. Advanced &amp; Lead Professional Certification is intended for teachers who have demonstrated excellence in the field and become leaders in education. </p> <h3 id="section---Education">Education</h3> <p>The first step to becoming a math educator in Georgia is to be admitted into a GaPSC-approved educator preparation program. Admission requires students to pass the GACE Program Admission Assessment and GACE Educator Ethics Assessment - Program Entry. Students will complete coursework, fieldwork, and clinical practice. Middle grades (4-8) certification requires that fieldwork and clinical practice be completed with grade levels 4-5 and 6-8. Candidates for grades 6-12 certification will work with grade levels 6-8 and 9-12. </p> <h3 id="section---InductionCertification">Induction Certification</h3> <p>Induction certification requires that the candidate pass several assessments. Candidates must pass the mathematics GACE Content Assessment which corresponds to the grade level in which they are certifying. Candidates for Middle Grades (4-8) Mathematics certification will take the Middle Grades mathematics assessment. Candidates for Mathematics (6-12) certification will take the Mathematics assessment. Candidates must also pass the Educator Ethics Assessment - Program Exit Assessment, in which they will both be instructed and tested upon ethical knowledge, regulations, and norms in Georgia educational institutions. Finally, candidates must pass the Content Pedagogy Assessment: Education Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), for which they will submit a teaching portfolio and respond to prompts about pedagogy and teaching philosophy. </p> <h3 id="section---ProfessionalCertification">Professional Certification</h3> <p>Educators can advance to four different certifications at the Professional tier. </p> <p>1. Standard Professional Certificate </p> <p>The Standard Professional Certificate requires three years' teaching in a Georgia institution. Educators seeking a service certificate must submit additional materials, dependent upon the type of certification sought. </p> <p>2. Standard Professional Educational Leadership Certificate </p> <p>In addition to teaching for three years in a Georgia institution, educators who want the Standard Professional Educational Leadership Certificate must also complete a GaPSC-approved Tier I Educational Leadership program. </p> <p>3. Performance-Based Professional Certificate </p> <p>Educators can advance to the Performance-Based Professional Certificate if, during their three years of teaching in a Georgia institution, they earn a 'Proficient' or 'Exemplary' rating on the TAPS component of the Teacher Keys Effectiveness System evaluation. </p> <p>4. Performance-Based Educational Leadership Certificate </p> <p>In addition to the 'Proficient' or 'Exemplary' rating on all three years of their teaching evaluation, educators who want the Performance-Based Educational Leadership Certificate must complete a GaPSC-approved Performance-Based Educational Leadership program. They must also pass two assessments: the GACE Educational Leadership content assessment and the Performance Assessment for School Leaders.</p>