Mathematics Teaching
Bennion
Center
Courses
Getting Started
- Complete USBE federal background check
- Work with Math & UITE advisors to plan your studies
- Enroll in the right math & writing courses (check with advisor)
- Take EDU 1010: Intro to Teaching
Making Progress
Meet with Math & UITE advisors to:- Discuss your plan to meet math teaching & pre-licensure requirements
- Explore minors or certificate programs
- Connect with resources that keep you moving toward graduation
- Choose Gen Eds to explore secondary interests & develop new skills (spread GEs out each semester)
- Submit UITE application for secondary licensure program
Finishing Up
- Complete student teaching experience or teaching internship
- Review degree audit to ensure you're on track to graduate
- Meet with advisors & apply for graduation before final semester
Community
Getting Started
- Join the Math Community’s Discord or AWM mentoring program
- Check out the Math Center's study spaces, computer lab, & student break room
- Live in Kahlert Village for 1st year COS majors
Making Progress
- Join our student chapter of the Association for Women in Mathematics
- Consider applying to live in the Crocker Science House
- Attend Undergraduate Colloquium to get to know faculty & students in the department
- Apply to Teach for Utah or Noyce Scholars for mentoring & financial support
- Attend the Get Involved Fair to find student groups & organizations on campus
Finishing Up
- Apply for a leadership position in your student group
- Volunteer in the community
- Join the Alumni Association or Forever Utah
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Take advantage of academic support resources in the Math Center
- Connect with tutors in other departments and through the Learning Center
Making Progress
- Become a Learning Assistant
- Apply to work at the Math Center or consider becoming a grader for our math courses
- Organize study groups with your peers
- Check out UITE's Student Teaching Resources
- Participate in undergraduate research through the Math dept. and/or consider opportunities through the Utah Education Association or Utah Education Policy Center
Finishing Up
- Work with UITE to finalize your teaching portfolio
- Complete your student teaching experience
- Attend career fairs hosted by local school districts
Transformation
Getting Started
- Attend office hours to get to know professors in your math & education courses
- Find a mentor in the AWM mentor program or connect with faculty & student leaders
Making Progress
- Meet with your advisors regularly to discuss ways to build your resume & enhance your university experience
- Apply for scholarship through the Math dept., College of Science, & UITE
- Work as a tutor or learning assistant
- Consider a learning abroad experience
- Attend a workshop in the Counseling Center to develop appropriate work-life balance
- Use your ArtsPass to visit museums & attend local events
Finishing Up
- Participate in graduation ceremonies to celebrate your degree
- Finalize your teaching portfolio & refine your teaching philosophy
Impact
Getting Started
- Visit the Bennion Center to discover volunteer opportunities & engage in community service projects
- Explore the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy
Making Progress
- Become a tutor in an after-school program
- Apply to participate in the Alternative Breaks program through the Bennion Center
- Get involved with ASUU or consider a leadership role in a student group
- Become a College of Science student ambassador or orientation leader
- Talk to your Math advisor about undergraduate research and/or outreach opportunities in the college or dept.
Finishing Up
- Attend a Hinckley Forum or Frontiers of Science event on campus
- Volunteer in the community with organizations that align with your personal or professional interests
Careers
Getting Started
- Meet with the Science Career Coach to explore different career paths
- Create accounts & start to build your network via Handshake, LinkedIn, & Forever Utah
Making Progress
- Talk with a career coach about job-search strategies, resume/cover letter construction, interview practice, & career fair prep
- Draft a resume & teaching philosophy and update them regularly
- Conduct an informational interview with someone in your field of interest
- Attend career fairs hosted by local school districts or explore graduate programs
- Update your networks on your progress & interests
Finishing Up
- Polish your resume & practice interviewing with a career coach
- Apply for jobs/graduate programs
- Stay connected with COE & utilize UITE's Teacher Resources
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
If you enjoy studying mathematics and would like to develop the skills to effectively share your knowledge with others, consider the Mathematics Teaching major at the U. In this program, you acquire a strong grasp of mathematical ideas well beyond the level you will teach and explore educational principles to gain an understanding of how young people learn and think about mathematics at different stages of growth. The Mathematics Teaching curriculum includes core coursework in areas such as calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and applied statistics, as well as several classes that focus on teaching subjects like geometry, algebra, and statistics in secondary schools. You also take courses in the College of Education and will apply to the Urban Institute for Teacher Education (UITE) Secondary Teacher licensure program during your junior year. In your final year, you complete a full-time student teaching experience in a secondary classroom under the supervision of a licensed teacher. As a Math Teaching student, you can also engage in undergraduate research, explore internship opportunities, and gain experience working as a learning assistant or tutor in our Math Center. With a degree in Mathematics Teaching, you will have the foundation and experience to work with students across various ages, ability levels, and from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Upon graduation and completion of licensure exams, you can apply for a professional teaching license and pursue a career teaching in middle and high schools in Utah or across the country.
Learning Outcomes
- Gain an understanding of central concepts, major results, and connections between mathematical topics, particularly those related to secondary mathematics education.
- Understand the structure of the discipline and tools of inquiry; in particular, you will develop a clear understanding of the problem-solving process, and be able to utilize it in novel situations.
- Develop multiple representations of major concepts and relationships, as well as examples and algorithms which pertain to secondary mathematics curriculum.
- Communicate mathematics effectively, and be able to analyze the reasoning of others to determine its mathematical accuracy.
- Develop understanding of how mathematical knowledge is acquired, and use it together with your knowledge of content and secondary mathematics curriculum to develop effective lessons.
- Meet state requirements for secondary licensure and the Level 4 Mathematics Endorsement/Secondary Mathematics Endorsement, to teach all math classes at the junior high and high school level.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.