Do you have to get another degree or license if you want to go from teaching Jr. High math to high schoolmath?

Question

I want to know if someone who teaches Jr. High math can go teach High School algebra without having to get a new degree or license or something.

Answer 1

If you are certified to teach Jr. High math, you can only teach 9th graders or younger. A teacher at our school did this, but the school got in trouble because her class had 9th and 10th graders in it, when she was only allowed to teach 9th grade. If you want to teach above 9th grade, you have to take the Praxis tests for the courses you wish to teach, then, you'll be certified.

Answer 2

There are different credentials.

It depends on what you have earned. My biology credential allows me to teach any biology course middle school or high school. If I wanted to teach physics, I would have to go earn that credential - but since I'm already certified in one area by the state - Id just have to prove subject matter competence - via tests or a major equivalent in units.

So yes - When I decided I wanted to teach both science and math at my middle school, I had to go out and earn certification in math.

Most math teachers are certified to teach any class 6-12. In California - up untill about 6 years ago - there was no such thing as a middle school credential - but since their is sucvh a shortage of math teachers, they started to offer a credential that is only good to grade 9. (one less test than the old credentials - -didnt cover calculus)

In your example - the teacher would not need certification because since algebra is a middle school concept - he would already be certified to teach it.

So if you do your work prior to becoming a teacher - you can get certified in every area you'd like to teach.

Answer 3

As long as your majored in secondary education with a specialization in math your good to teach through the 12th grade.

Answer 4

I don't think so, as long as you majored in the field, and took the credentials for single subject teaching in math, you should be good either way.