Mathematics has been dubbed “The Complex Subject” for a long time. This mentality has significantly affected students’ performance in school and possibly deterred others from pursuing a career in math. Consequently, we have few teachers specializing in this area, making mathematics teachers in demand.
Before we discover the perks of being a math teacher, let’s check out a few pointers that show us how to be a math teacher.
Why You Should Become a Math Teacher
Encouraging bachelor of education applicants to pursue a career as a mathematics teacher is excellent, but being a realist is even better because not everyone can take a journey down this road. So, what are the top reasons that should solidify your decision to walk this route?
You Genuinely Enjoy Math
The most outright characteristic you should have is the ability to enjoy mathematics. A passion and drive to solve complex equations should come quickly to you. When you are interested in numbers, it won’t be a challenge to look for solutions to problems, regardless of the complexity.
Teaching Comes Naturally to You
Aside from being a math enthusiast, you should have an innate desire to be a teacher. Some indicators that will tell you are a natural teacher include your ability to lead, manage students, give instructions and follow up on that, and your teamwork spirit.
Learning Is One of Your Admirable Traits
One of the most admirable characteristics of any teacher is their ability to learn new tactics. Old teaching methods work, but newer ones would quickly provide solutions. If you would like to inspire your students to enjoy math, being an avid and frequent learner will work in your favor. Having new tricks up your sleeve will allow students to master complex concepts quickly and faster.
You Take and Use Criticism Positively
Taking criticism isn’t easy, primarily when directed at your work. However, critics help you learn and improve your handling of things; sometimes, a teacher’s greatest critics can be her students. If you are good at taking judgment about your work and churning out positive results from it, then you shouldn’t think twice about following this path.
What You Benefit From taking Up a Career as a Math Teacher
While the benefits of becoming a math teacher are plenty, these three stand out from the rest. So, if you’ve been toying with becoming a math teacher, consider what you’ll be working with if you pursue this direction.
A Stable Career
There’s a significantly minimal number of math teachers in the US. The government and educational institutions are urging more students to pursue this career to bridge the widening gap between students and math teachers.
This depicts a stable career for math teachers, regardless of their experience and grade level, as soon as they graduate. So, once you start your journey as a mathematics teacher, you’re assured of a stable career wherever you are.
Even if you decide to move to a different state, as long as you have the required education and experience, you will have access to a decent job because of the insatiable demand for math teachers in the US and globally.
Lucrative Income
Remuneration is one of the most vital features determining your career or job. But nothing beats working in a field you are passionate about and receiving a lucrative salary at the end of the month.
You get to experience both sides of the world, which few people are lucky enough to share. Considering there’s a demand for mathematics teachers around the US, the salary that comes with this career is pretty lucrative. Schools are all working hard to grab the available lot in the market, meaning they have to outdo each other to get teachers to accept an invitation to work with their students.
You Inspire Students
Leaving a mark in the next generation’s lives is probably the most rewarding attribute of picking up a math teacher career. Assuming that you are passionate about the subject and are a natural teacher, even without the training, you wouldn’t struggle much to impact their lives.
Aside from teaching these learners how to think critically, you impact their lives positively by instilling other desirable attributes, such as patience. A significant chunk of mathematics relies on this virtue, especially when the tasks get more challenging. Ultimately, this fosters a growth mindset and mathematical fluency.
Our Take
Becoming a mathematics teacher comes with multiple perks, primarily if you work in a region deprived of such. Aside from getting an attractive salary, having access to a stable career, and impacting the lives of learners, math teachers also enjoy health insurance, flexible working hours, and a chance to shape the curriculum. However, they must have a passion for this unit to make an impact during their career.
