Those who wish to teach elementary mathematics must follow their state's established requirements, which generally include a bachelor's degree and teaching certification. Read on to learn the general educational requirements that must be met to teach elementary mathematics.
Elementary Mathematics Teaching Requirements
To become an elementary mathematics teacher, people generally need to have a 4-year bachelor's degree and valid state teaching certification. The most common paths to becoming an elementary mathematics teacher are to earn a bachelor's degree with standard teaching certification in either mathematics or elementary education. Another option is completing an alternative teaching program after obtaining a bachelor's degree in any field.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutTeachingMath">Important Facts About Teaching Math</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Prerequisites</td><td> 4-year bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td>Online Availability</td><td>Coursework online, student teaching in-person</td></tr>
<tr><td>Continuing Education</td><td>Required to maintain certification; master's degree options available</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $61,400 (<i>for kindergarten and elementary school teachers</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 4% (<i>for kindergarten and elementary school teachers</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---ElementaryEducationDegree">Elementary Education Degree</h3><p>One of the most common educational paths to becoming an elementary school math teacher is to obtain a bachelor's degree in elementary education along with standard teaching certification. Most public schools require elementary school teachers to teach a variety of subjects, ranging from math to English to social sciences. Students in these programs learn how to present information to elementary-aged children and are often required to complete a supervised teaching experience in order to obtain state certification.
</p><h3 id="section---BachelorSDegreeInMathematics">Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics</h3><p>Another way to qualify for a job teaching mathematics to elementary school students is to earn a 4-year bachelor's degree in mathematics while completing the state requirement for teaching certification. Many colleges offer programs that instruct students on the mathematics content they will teach as well as the pedagogy they will use in the classroom. This ensures that graduates will understand the material they are to teach and know how to teach it to elementary-aged children.
</p><h3 id="section---AlternativeTeachingCertification">Alternative Teaching Certification</h3><p>People interested in teaching elementary mathematics can also choose to earn alternative teaching certification. Alternative certification programs (ACPs) instruct teaching pedagogy and generally admit people with any type of 4-year bachelor's degree. People enrolled in ACPs usually need to independently prepare for state content tests in the subject they would like to teach.</p>
