How to Become a Math Teacher in Louisiana
Are you interested in becoming a math teacher in Louisiana? Keep reading to find out what you should study as your major before you become a certified teacher, and how to obtain your certificate by passing the required Praxis exams.
Overview of Math Teachers in Louisiana
Becoming a math teacher requires you to determine what kind of math you want to teach, as well as your preferred grade level. Math is included in general education for earlier grades, but it's a specialty area if you plan to teach middle or high school. You'll need to pass different Praxis exams depending on your certification area.
<table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td>Bachelor's degree in education (early childhood, elementary, middle, or secondary), along with teacher preparation program</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exams Required</td><td>Praxis Core<br/> Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching<br/> Praxis content exam(s)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Certificate Validity</td><td>Five years for initial teaching certificate</td></tr>
<tr><td>Certificate Extension</td><td>Three years with active teaching career and no gaps in employment</td></tr>
<tr><td>Average Louisiana Salary* (2018)</td><td>$50,540 for kindergarten teachers<br/> $48,740 for elementary school teachers<br/> $49,960 for middle school teachers<br/> $51,810 for high school teachers</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Growth* (2016-2026)</td><td>7-8% for kindergarten to high school teachers nationwide</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---JobDescription">Job Description</h3><p>A math teacher in Louisiana is responsible for conducting a classroom full of students at different age levels. Math falls under the general curriculum for elementary school and most of middle school, where you'll teach math along with other different subjects like science or language arts. At the high school level, you may specialize in several different types of math for your classes. You could end up teaching geometry, algebra, calculus, or statistics to four different grade levels. Schools often have different ability levels, and you may have regular classes along with honors/gifted courses.
</p><h3 id="section---EducationTrainingRequirements">Education/Training Requirements</h3><p>Educators in Louisiana who want to teach math need to complete a bachelor's degree. Once you determine which grade you want to teach, you can pick a major. For preschool through kindergarten, you can pursue a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Early Childhood Education. You can teach grades 1-5 with a B.S. in Elementary Education, while grades 4-8 require a B.S. in Middle School Education. At the high school level, you'll obtain a B.S. in Secondary Education, and choose a math concentration during your studies. All B.S. degrees in education will include a student teaching experience, which gives you a hands-on session in a live classroom under direct supervision. This opportunity allows you to become a teacher before you earn your own certificate.
</p><h3 id="section---ExamRequirements">Exam Requirements</h3><p>To start, you will take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics exams. These three all-encompassing tests are required for all teachers in Louisiana, regardless of grade level.
</p><p>From here, your classroom's grade will determine which other tests are required for you. Early childhood majors should take the Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood exam, as well as Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects. Elementary education majors can take the same Elementary Education exam, along with Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6.
</p><p>At the middle school level, your requirements become a bit more specific. You'll need the Principles of Leaning and Teaching: Grades 5-9 exam, along with either the Algebra I or Middle School Mathematics exam, depending on your grade level. If you'll be teaching high school math, you first need to take the Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 6-12 exam. From there, you can take the Algebra exam, as well as the Mathematics: Content Knowledge subject exam.
</p><h3 id="section---CertificationRequirements">Certification Requirements</h3><p>Once you have completed the required exams, you will earn your initial certificate to teach in Louisiana. This credential will last for five years, and if you stay gainfully employed as an educator, you can renew it at the request of your school district for three years at a time. If you should lose your position as a teacher, or if you go 90 days or an academic semester without teaching any classes, your certificate will lapse. Should this occur, you can take six continuing education credits at a local college or university to restore your status.</p>