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Mathematics Teachers

Employment Prospects

Employers

Approximately 640,000 middle school teachers and nearly 1.1 million high school teachers, as well as 58,500 postsecondary mathematical science teachers, are employed in the United States. Math teachers are needed at middle schools and high schools, including parochial schools, juvenile detention centers, vocational schools, and technical schools. Some Montessori schools are also expanding to include more advanced courses. Though rural areas maintain some schools, most institutions are in towns and cities. Teachers can also find opportunities in "charter" schools, which are smaller, deregulated schools that receive public funding.

Starting Out

After completing the teacher certification process, including your months of student teaching, you should work with your college's career services office to find a full-time position. In some states, the departments of education maintain listings of job openings. In addition, many schools advertise teaching positions on their Web sites and in the classified sections of the state's major newspapers. You may also directly contact principals and superintendents of the schools in which you would like to work. While waiting for full-time work, you can work as a substitute teacher. Substituting will give you more than a paycheck; you will gain worthwhile teaching experience and learn about different school systems as a sub. In some school districts, you may be able to substitute full time.

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