Do the Math on Mathematics Education Degree Programs

by Andrew Freiburghouse
Online Education Columnist

If you think about your favorite teachers, there's probably a math teacher in there somewhere. By earning a mathematics education degree, you could be on your way to becoming that favorite teacher for someone else.

An online degree in mathematics education is one of the more powerful specialized degrees in the education world. Math teachers are in demand because states such as California and Texas have recently implemented tougher graduation requirements for high schoolers--including more math and science classes. States and school districts are responding by increasing incentives, for example, offering student loan forgiveness or housing subsidies to those willing to commit to teaching mathematics. Texas districts have begun offering bonuses to math instructors.

And in order to teach someone else about math, you have to first know it well yourself. An online degree program in mathematics can help you reach that level of expertise.
Teaching More Math Classes = Better

When you are a math teacher, you may have to teach multiple types or levels of math, including:

* Arithmetic
* Algebra
* Geometry
* Calculus
* Nature of Math

In short, you are well-advised to see yourself as a sort of "jack-of-all-trades" within the profession of teaching mathematics. A proper mathematics education program degree will rightly focus, then, on seeing mathematics as an interconnected discipline.
The Future of Math (Teachers)

Once you have earned your online degree in mathematics education, you can obtain your teaching credential for the state in which you want to work. Then you are ready to enter the workplace as a real life math teacher.

Salaries for math teachers, as with other teachers, vary widely depending on where they teach and what level of mathematics they teach. According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics study, teacher's hourly earnings outstrip other white-collar professionals. In 2005, the average public school teacher was paid 36 percent more per hour than the average non-sales white-collar worker and 11 percent more than the average professional specialty and technical worker. However, math teachers are uniquely positioned to earn more and have more job security simply because there are fewer of them and demand is high--many districts pay additional stipends to math and science teachers to attract them to their openings.

Perhaps you can relate to this, recalling how your favorite math teacher had been teaching the subject for 25 years before you entered the picture. Longevity in this profession is common, and online education can be your ticket to building a lasting teaching career.