Are you majoring in a math or science in college? Regardless of your potential career track, it's important to know about the many teaching opportunities that exist for those with these majors who are looking for a rewarding career.
When choosing a college major within math and science, there are countless avenues students can take upon completion of such degrees within these disciplines. One option that offers plenty of opportunity and some nice benefits is to go into education, specifically teaching positions at the middle and high school levels.
The numbers show that there are increasing opportunities for secondary education teaching positions. Data from the U.S. Department of Education demonstrates that 48 states and the District of Columbia have teacher shortages, specifically within the math and science space.
In addition, the number of children in schools is expected to grow significantly over the next several years. In the fall of 2017, there were 50.7 million students enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools, according to figures from the National Center for Education Statistics. By the year 2025, the projection is that this number will reach 51.4 million. So, that could be an increase of nearly a million students in less than 10 years. Of course, this data does not account for private school enrollment, either. This would signal the need for schools across the nation to hire thousands of additional educators.
There is also evidence that while education programs remain a staple at many colleges and universities nationwide, students have been choosing other majors in recent years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the website Zippia, 22 percent of college students majored in education in 1975. Four decades later in 2015, that number fell to less than 10 percent.
The field of biology and the overall umbrella of the sciences offer lots of exciting potential career tracks. While there are opportunities within medicine, research labs, and other traditional settings within the sciences, teaching students about science can be equally as rewarding.
As a teacher, you can serve in a role that helps students uncover life's mysteries and empower them to use science for the betterment of our world through hands-on activities that make this subject real and fun. With a variety of 21st-century technologies, you can create lesson plans that foster curiosity and inquiry that will have a lasting impression on students in all grades.
Mathematics spans many disciplines from algebra to geometry to calculus. Many fields also incorporate statistics and other practical aspects of mathematics. However, you may not find more opportunities to work with numbers and equations all day than you could in a classroom.
School districts across the country need qualified math teachers who can make this fundamental and challenging subject accessible – and digestible – to all students. In today's world of leaning on technology for simple calculations, math education has never been more important in our society to help students learn to think critically, solve problems, and make determinations on their own. There are several exciting and innovative methods to teach these subjects to middle and secondary school students
At Saint Leo University, students will receive customized one-on-one education planning, certification support, and job placement assistance when it comes to all degree programs, including those rooted in math and science. Graduates who choose to pursue a teaching career have the potential for quick post-graduate employment and a very satisfying career. Making a difference in the lives of future leaders is such a rewarding position to be in.
Saint Leo offers a bachelor's in biology with an education minor and a bachelor's in mathematics with a minor in education. These programs allow students to pursue a math or science major and, at the same time, prepare them to be successful teachers in middle and high schools.
Prospective and current students interested in learning more about how they can pursue teaching opportunities with degrees in math and science may contact Dr. Holly Atkins at holly.atkins@saintleo.edu or Dr. Laura Altfeld at laura.altfeld@saintleo.edu.
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