Middle School Math/Science Teachers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of middle school math/science teachers about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for middle school math/science teachers to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of middle school math/science teachers expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for middle school math/science teachers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Middle School Math/Science Teachers?
Do middle school math/science teachers need a degree? What kind of experience do middle school math/science teachers typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for middle school math/science teachers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Middle School Math/Science Teachers
Jobs Postings for Middle School Math/Science Teachers By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 73 (44%)
- No Education Listed: 62 (37%)
- Master's degree: 21 (13%)
- High School or GED: 10 (6%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 1 (1%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of middle school math/science teachers. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 44% of positions. In 37% of job listings no education level was listed and in 13% of postings a master's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Middle School Math/Science Teachers
Jobs Postings for Middle School Math/Science Teachers By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 18 (47%)
- 2-3 Years: 17 (45%)
- 4-6 Years: 2 (5%)
- 10+ Years: 1 (3%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for middle school math/science teachers. In 47% of job postings for Middle School Math/Science Teachers, employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience. In 45% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 5% of job postings for middle school math/science teachers.
What Kind of Degree Do Middle School Math/Science Teachers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for middle school math/science teachers, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 12 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective middle school math/science teachers, and in 2023 a total of 15,155 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective middle school math/science teachers.
Top Degree Programs for Middle School Math/Science Teachers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Middle School Math/Science Teachers (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other. | 6,310 |
| Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching. | 3,017 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other. | 2,396 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | 1,121 |
| Trade and Industrial Teacher Education. | 769 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other. | 6,310 |
| Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching. | 3,017 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other. | 2,396 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | 1,121 |
| Trade and Industrial Teacher Education. | 769 |
| Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education. | 462 |
| Technical Teacher Education. | 307 |
| Computer Teacher Education. | 291 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education. | 252 |
| Business and Innovation/Entrepreneurship Teacher Education. | 149 |
| Health Occupations Teacher Education. | 74 |
| Sales and Marketing Operations/Marketing and Distribution Teacher Education. | 7 |
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Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Middle School Math/Science Teachers
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Develop the knowledge and skills you need to become an outstanding middle or high school teacher in Ohio with Franklin’s Adolescent to Young Adult (AYA) Education program.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Gain the expertise to help students learn and think in classrooms across Ohio with Franklin’s Middle Childhood Education (MCE) program.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Middle School Math/Science Teachers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by middle school math/science teachers to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for middle school math/science teachers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Middle School Math/Science Teachers
Based on 147 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Middle School Math/Science Teachers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Lesson Planning | 26 | 18% |
| Special Education | 24 | 16% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 19 | 13% |
| Instructional Strategies | 19 | 13% |
| Alternative Education | 13 | 9% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Middle School Math/Science Teachers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 96 | 65% |
| Communication | 42 | 29% |
| Writing | 27 | 18% |
| Planning | 26 | 18% |
| English Language | 20 | 14% |
Based on 147 job postings related to middle school math/science teachers, lesson planning was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 18% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for special education, individualized education programs (iep), instructional strategies, alternative education and classroom management were also highly sought.
As for common skills, teaching was the most desired skill found in job postings for middle school math/science teachers, followed by communication, writing, planning, english language and ethical standards and conduct.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Lesson Planning | 26 | 18% |
| Special Education | 24 | 16% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 19 | 13% |
| Instructional Strategies | 19 | 13% |
| Alternative Education | 13 | 9% |
| Classroom Management | 13 | 9% |
| Curriculum Development | 12 | 8% |
| Computer Science | 11 | 7% |
| Effective Communication | 10 | 7% |
| Human Relations Movement | 10 | 7% |
| Mathematics Education | 10 | 7% |
| Pedagogy | 8 | 5% |
| Student Engagement | 8 | 5% |
| Technology Education | 8 | 5% |
| Educational Technologies | 6 | 4% |
| Family And Consumer Sciences | 6 | 4% |
| Formative And Summative Assessments | 6 | 4% |
| Learning Styles | 6 | 4% |
| Physical Education | 6 | 4% |
| Social Studies | 6 | 4% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 96 | 65% |
| Communication | 42 | 29% |
| Writing | 27 | 18% |
| Planning | 26 | 18% |
| English Language | 20 | 14% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 18 | 12% |
| Research | 18 | 12% |
| Multilingualism | 16 | 11% |
| Problem Solving | 16 | 11% |
| Critical Thinking | 15 | 10% |
| Mathematics | 15 | 10% |
| Spanish Language | 15 | 10% |
| Management | 13 | 9% |
| Professionalism | 12 | 8% |
| Progress Reporting | 11 | 7% |
| Collaboration | 10 | 7% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 9 | 6% |
| Time Management | 9 | 6% |
| Constructive Feedback | 8 | 5% |
| Innovation | 8 | 5% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about middle school math/science teachers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for middle school math/science teachers.
What do middle school math/science teachers do?
How much do middle school math/science teachers make?
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