What are the reqirements to become a math teacher in middle school

To become a middle school math teacher, the main thing you'll need is a college education. There are a few different paths you can take to becoming a teacher. One path is to get a degree in education when you are an undergraduate or a masters in education after college. That way, when you graduate, you'll be qualified to teach, and, after you pass a certification exam in the state you want to teach, you'll be able to get a job at a school. The second way to become a teacher is through an alternative certification path. In that case, you don't need to study education in college or graduate school, but you'll need to apply to one of the alternative certification teaching programs, like Teach for America or Teaching Fellows, after you graduate. In this case, they don't require any particular major in college, so you wouldn't need to study education or even math. Then once you are accepted, they'll train you and help you get a position in a classroom.

So, you don't need to study math, necessarily, to be a math teacher, and you don't need to have a particular major unless you go the traditional route. Then you'll need to study education. The bottom line, though, is that you do need to go to college! But I would also suggest that you keep focusing on your math classes! You will be a better math teacher if you have strong math skills.

Hope that helps!

Hi Gabriel,

I was a middle school teacher .... if that's your choice for the future it is a challenging, fun, exciting, and interesting grade to teach - aha the grade you are in! You must have a teaching degree and should major in math when you are in college/university.

Please check your state's requirements for teachers of middle school math. I believe you are in Arizona (Yuma right?) so here is the link to the teacher's certification in AZ: http://www.azed.gov/educator-certification/certificate-requirement/teaching-certificate/

Go to the Elementary Certification link as that is for grades 1 - 8

Some interesting news from the state: Arizona reported teacher shortages in mathematics in 2014-15 in the middle grades.

Some information on alternative routes to a certificate:

Arizona also offers alternative routes to a teaching certificate:

The first is the Teaching Internship program. Internships are available to those with a passing score in at least one Subject Knowledge Area of the AEPA or a master’s degree in the desired subject area. Participants complete two years of student teaching under a mentor and receive a provisional teaching certificate upon completion.

The second alternative route is the Teacher Fellowship program. This program is designed to attract accomplished professionals and college graduates to the teaching profession. Fellows are placed in high-need schools and complete certification coursework during their two-year teaching commitment.

I'd also like to ask you if you love math .... please teach a subject you love! Your passion will help your future students become more motivated and engaged - they will succeed!

Good luck as you think about your future,

Stephanie