High School Math Teacher
Mathematics Education, Science Education, and Instructional Technology
Are you passionate about the study of mathematics? Have you ever found that helping others to solve a problem or understand a mathematics concept is rewarding? Then teaching high school mathematics may be for you!
The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education prepares students to teach high school mathematics, but graduates are also qualified to teach middle grades mathematics. Since high school mathematics teaching positions have been the hardest to fill in North Carolina for the past several years, graduates of the program are in high demand.
Mathematics education majors get multiple opportunities to work with master teachers in the high school setting and profit from ECU’s Clinical Schools Network. A large group of talented faculty members teach courses in laboratory settings with cutting-edge technology and provide instructional and mentoring support for students.
ECU’s mathematics teacher preparation program is distinguished from most by its addition of pedagogical content courses to the traditional mathematics and mathematics methods preparation. These applied mathematics courses treat high school mathematics curriculum in an advanced and connected manner, focusing on alternate solution strategies, multiple representations, and student misconceptions.
The mathematics education program has received awards, as has its faculty, students, and alumni. While in the program, students are encouraged to join local, state, and national mathematics education organizations and to attend professional development. Through the direction of the local student-lead mathematics education organization and program courses, students engage in numerous mathematics activities outside the classroom.
Contact Us:
Dr. Ron Preston
MSITE Director of Students
352E Flanagan Building
252-328-9355
prestonr@ecu.edu
How to Apply
Secondary Mathmatics Education Checksheet
Program Completion
There are a number of important milestones along the way to completing your BS in Mathematics Education: Upper Division, Internship Application, Senior Summary, Application for Graduation, and Licensure Application. Let’s take each in turn.
Upper Division
- Apply toward the end of your sophomore year to no later than the end of your junior year. You learned about Upper Division and its requirements in MATE 2123, but the checklist will help guide you through the process. For the Upper Division Application, go to Teacher Education and click on the Teacher Education Handbook. The application is a form in the appendices.
Internship Application
- Apply for your internship early in the spring of your junior year. You must be in Upper Division to apply and an important consideration is the listing of school systems where you would prefer to be placed. Speak to your advisor about this very important placement – closest to home may not be the best placement for you. For the Internship Application, go to Educator Preparation and click on the Teacher Education Handbook. The application is a form in the appendices.
Senior Summary
- You should work on your Senior Summary with your faculty advisor during the spring of your junior year and then finish and submit it when you come for advising in the fall of your senior year. This summary is a check to ensure you have met all program, teacher education, and university requirements for graduation.
Graduate Application
- You should work on your Senior Summary with your faculty advisor during the spring of your junior year and then finish and submit it when you come for advising in the fall of your senior year. This summary is a check to ensure you have met all program, teacher education, and university requirements for graduation.
Licensure Application
- You will want to apply to receive your teaching license. Complete this paperwork near the end of your internship, during the mandatory Senior II seminar. Go to Licensure, read the instructions, and download the appropriate forms (A & V).
FAQ
What are the major requirements for your program?
- There are no special requirements to being taking classes in the BS in Mathematics Education program. However, there are requirements to get into Upper Division of the program, which allows one to take senior-level courses, do the internship, etc. The Upper Division process normally begins during the second semester of the sophomore year for undergraduate candidates. At this time, candidates have (1) either completed or are enrolled in the Early Experiences course, (2) applied to take the Praxis Core (www.ets.org/praxis/nc/requirements), if applicable, and (3) met the technology competency. The completed Application to Upper Division, copy of SAT or ACT scores (if being used in lieu of the Praxis Core test scores), and CPL Data Form should be given to the department chair or coordinator when the candidate registers for departmental review. Candidates must have a minimum of a 2.7 GPA to enter and remain in Upper Division.
What are my chances for employment once I graduate?
- Your employment outlook is excellent! For the past several years, the hardest teaching position for principals to fill has been that of high school mathematics teacher.
I may be interested in earning a minor or studying abroad in addition to preparing to become a mathematics teacher. Are there opportunities to do that?
- We have students who earn a double major or dual degree, earn a minor, study abroad, play a varsity sport, etc. The earlier a student begins planning for any of these additions to the BS in Mathematics Education, the more likely it can be achieved within the four-year program. The most common addition for our students is the double major – more than half of our students earn a major in mathematics in addition to mathematics education.
Is it possible for me to graduate in three years?
- We have had several students graduate in three years. Some do so because they have AP credits or dual enrollment community college credits. Some are able to do so because they take summer courses. Some do so because of a combination of the two.
Is it possible for me to graduate in two years after transferring from a community college?
- Yes – if you have taken the 2 + 2 plan for the BS in Mathematics Education. If you have not, summer work in addition to two years may allow you to graduate. Mathematically, the key to graduating in two additional years is to have successfully completed Calculus II.
If I successfully complete AP Calculus or AP Statistics, will I be able to use the courses in the major?
- Yes. A 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Calculus exam gives you credit for MATH 2171 (Calculus 1). A 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Statistics exam gives you credit for an introductory statistics class which we will allow to substitute for MATE 2700.
Are there opportunities for scholarships at ECU?
- There are a number of scholarship opportunities and they exist at the department, college, state, and national levels. Most of the ones from the College of Education at ECU require you to have established yourself as an excellent university student, but there are a few for incoming freshmen. Several of the most lucrative scholarships are really loan forgiveness programs – one teaches to repay the funds received.
I am not sure if I want to teach high school mathematics or middle grades mathematics. What should I do?
- Starting with the BS in Mathematics Education (high school) instead of the middle grades program allows more flexibility. The courses from the high school program substitute for the ones in the middle grades program, but not necessarily vice-versa.