Job Profile: Math Support Teacher

A role as a Math Support Teacher is a job that focuses on working with math teachers to provide students with support in that area. Those that earn a position as a math support teacher will be expected to assist teachers in understanding and adequately utilizing math content. It is also required to develop and put into practice new methods of helping students properly grasp the curriculum, as well as informing the teacher of these methods. You will be tasked with creating a cohesive classroom environment that consistently raises the level of production and standards within the subject of mathematics.

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Salary

The salary for math support teachers can differ greatly, largely depending on the specific school. Despite this, you will find that a math support teacher earns anywhere from $40,000-$55,000.

Beginning Salary

The beginning salary for a math support teacher isn’t substantially lower than that of someone who’s been in the position for a number of years. Those who earn this job title should expect a beginning salary of $25,000-$35,000

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Key Responsibilities

There are a number of important responsibilities that math support teachers will be tasked with, which tend to revolve around assisting teachers and students, as well as establishing objectives for everything from everyday lessons to large class projects. You will need to monitor each student and assess their skill levels in order to ascertain whether or not a math support group is needed and when it should be scheduled.

In regards to the math curriculum, the key responsibility is to make sure that it has been coordinated with state standards. However, it is typically required that the majority of a math support teacher’s time is spent directly with the students, helping them to foster their math skills and administering mathematics testing to each student.

Necessary Skills

There are a number of requisite skills needed in order to become a math support teacher. You can attain the proper math skills by completing the necessary degrees. For whichever school hires you, you will need to fully comply with all of their policies and regulations. You will also need to have good communication skills that will allow you to work well with the entire staff, students and parents. Those who apply will need to be able to speak and write English fluently. Finally, it is necessary to keep wholly accurate records and reports throughout the school year.

Degree and Education Requirements

There are a number of education requirements associated with this job title. You will first need a state teaching certificate in the area of math. Following this, it’s important to at least attain a Math Specialist Bachelor’s degree or something similar. Many schools that are searching for a math support teacher to hire are also looking for them to have a Master’s degree with a focus in math education, though this tends to simply be preferred and not absolutely necessary.

You must also attain a strong GPA all throughout college so as provide proof that you were diligent and responsible during the entirety of the degree program. If you want to have a strong and lengthy career as a math support teacher, it’s recommended that you earn a master’s degree, as it makes you, as a potential employee, seem like a much better candidate for the position in a tough job market.

Pros and Cons of This Position

Pros

Though it can be a challenging job, it can also be fun and enjoyable, particularly when helping students.
Helping students become smarter and teachers to utilize better teaching methods is extremely rewarding.
It’s not a job that is particularly rigid, which leads to unique experiences every day.

Cons

The salary for a math support teacher is relatively high, but can seem less than what the position should be worth, particularly in relation to the required degree level and skills needed for the job.
It can be a bit more difficult to attain a job as a math support teacher than simply a math teacher.
It’s a job that requires you to be on your feet and move around a lot, which can be physically draining.

Getting Started

While becoming a math support teacher requires you to earn a teaching certificate and a degree or 2, there are some things outside of educational requirements that you can do in order to help you get started in this career. First of all, you can volunteer as a teacher’s assistant at an elementary school nearby, which can give you hands-on experience that you can utilize later on. It is also recommended that you think about first becoming a math teacher or gaining some sort of experience within the field of mathematics. You can think about doing this while obtaining your bachelor’s or master’s degree, if you find that you have the time. Teaching experience is sometimes required for those looking to be hired as a math support teacher, though even if it is not, it does look great on a resume.

Future Outlook

If you’re thinking of applying to become a math support teacher, you may be wondering what comes after that? Thankfully, there are a wide range of career advancement opportunities for those who have experience in the field. One of the most common is the ability to eventually earn a role in a number of administrator positions within the school, such as assistant principal, principal or even superintendent. Those in this position may also be sought after by colleges and universities for professorship positions, which can lead to further possibilities the lengthier your career. For example, George Mason Elementary School is currently looking for a principal, while Boston Public Schools are currently in search of a superintendent. These aforementioned are merely a few of the possible jobs available to those who attain some experience as a Math Support Teacher.

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