FAQs

Are there jobs for new math and science teachers?
Yes, Florida and other states across the country have a shortage of highly qualified (credentialed) teachers of math and science in the middle school and high school grades. Studies indicate that K-12 science and mathematics teachers nationally have attrition rates of nearly 40 percent after four years of teaching. As a result, newly credentialed math and science teachers are sought by districts across Florida.

What are the salary ranges and benefits for math and science teachers?
Salaries vary between school districts and are generally based on experience and college or professional development units completed beyond the bachelor’s degree. Some districts pay bonuses for advanced degrees. Across Florida, the median annual salary in 2010-2011 was $45,723 for secondary school teachers; the minimum starting salary for a new teacher in Florida is about $36,000. Remember, teacher salaries are based on a 9-month school year.

What are the steps to earning a teaching credential and becoming a middle school or high school teacher in Florida?
A UFTeach student may or may not be required to sit for a Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) to be eligible for a temporary certificateIf the major matches the subject you want to teach (e.g. biology major seeking Biology 6-12 certification), or if you have satisfied course-count requirements, you do not have to pass any exams before being eligible for temporary certification. See www.fldoe.org/edcert/subjlist.asp and click on the subject to find out minimum subject area requirements by major and by course-count. If the major does not match the subject you want to teach (e.g. engineering major seeking Math 6-12 certification), and you have not satisfied the course-count requirements, you would have to pass the relevant Subject Area Exam before being eligible for temporary certification. See www.fldoe.org/edcert/sub_exams.asp for a table of those exam requirements by subject area.

The temporary teaching certificate is good for three years, and is non-renewable. The testing requirements for professional certification are (1) General Knowledge Test all four sections (you will already be well prepared for this basic skills test), (2) Subject Area Exam, and (3) Professional Education Test (you will already be prepared upon completion of the UFTeach course sequence). Information about all FTCE exams is available at www.fl.nesinc.com.

What major do I chose and what undergraduate courses can I take at UF to prepare for a teaching career?
Majors
Aspiring math or science teachers typically earn a bachelor’s degree in the discipline they want to teach or in a closely related field. Common majors for aspiring teachers of math include mathematics, computer science, or other degree programs that develop a solid foundation in the subject area. UF degree programs in biological sciences, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, physics, and some social science majors are common choices of future science teachers.
Education Minor
UFTeach offers an education minor with an array of courses that provide a solid foundation for learning about educational issues, teaching, and learning. Please refer to the courses page for course titles and descriptions.

Do I need a master’s degree to teach math or science?
You do not need a master’s degree to become a K-12 teacher, but there are benefits to earning an advanced degree. One obvious advantage is that you develop greater expertise in your field, which can make you a stronger teacher and a stronger candidate for department leadership responsibilities or more advanced classes at the school where you teach. Another advantage is that a post-baccalaureate degree results in a higher initial salary becasue you will start higher on a school district’s pay scale. Two great options for UF graduates are the M.Ed. in Science Education or the M.Ed. in Mathematics Education. Masters students in science can pursue nationally-recognized certification in biology, chemistry or physics through Science ProTeach. Please see http://education.ufl.edu/school/Programs/SCE/proteach.htm and http://education.ufl.edu/school/Programs/math/index.html for additional information.

What exams do I take to become a teacher?
Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree with a math or science major and the UFTeach education minor, you are eligible for a temporary teaching certificate to teach that subject area in Florida. Professional Education certification in Florida requires passing scores on the (1) General Knowledge Test (all four sections) (2) Subject Area Exam, and (3) Professional Education Test, as well as background fingerprint clearance and one year of successful teaching.

What if I am interested in teaching at a community college or university?
A Florida teaching credential is not required for a community college or university faculty position. However, UF undergraduates who are considering a teaching career, but are undecided about teaching at the secondary versus college level, can benefit from teaching field experience and from education courses that offer an introduction to issues of teaching and learning. Faculty in higher education are better prepared to teach when they have an understanding of sound instructional strategies, of educational theories, and of the ways in which math and science knowledge is taught and developed throughout the middle and high school grades.

What if I am interested in teaching elementary school math or science?
Many new elementary teachers are not well prepared to teach mathematics or science if they did not complete math or science coursework during college. A teacher with a degree in mathematics or the sciences would be an asset to any elementary school. One way for aspiring teachers to explore if they would prefer teaching the elementary grades is to get field experience in elementary classrooms, which they can do by taking Step One, the first of two UFTeach introductory courses. When students complete both courses, they are able to compare experiences in elementary and middle school classrooms.