| HOME | Program | Staff | Cal Teach Seminars | Academic Programs |
| Resources | FAQ's | Scholars | Support Cal Teach | Contact Us |
 |
||||||||
California Teach Science-Math Initiative UCI HomeBren School of Information and Computer SciencesCenter for Educational PartnershipsDepartment of EducationHenry Samueli School of EngineeringSchool of Biological SciencesSCHOOL OF PHYSICAL SCIENCESTransfer Services Counseling ProgramUndeclared/Undecided Advising Program
|
How do I join Cal Teach? (back to top) Students must enroll in our Cal Teach 1 seminar “Introduction to Science & Math Teaching”. The seminar is offered each quarter with the exception of summer. Students are paired up with a Mentor Teacher from a local school to explore the many facets of math and science teaching. Students are expected to complete 20 hours of fieldwork throughout the course of the quarter. During seminar, students engage in dialogue and discussion with other Cal Teach Scholars and their Seminar Instructors about the fieldwork experience and best practices in teaching.
Yes, a Community College student can take part in Cal Teach by enrolling in our Cal Teach 1 seminar “Introduction to Science & Math Teaching”. The process for a Community College student to enroll is different than your typical UCI undergrad. A Community College student must first fill out a CROSS ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY form and have it signed by their own Registrar’s Office to obtain approval to cross-enroll. Then the student must fill out the CROSS ENROLLMENT AUTHORIZATION form and have both the “Instructor Approval” and “UCI School/Departmental Approval” signed by the appropriate person. Both forms must then be taken to the UCI Extension Student Services Office to register/pay for the course. UCI Irvine Extension Are there jobs for new math and science teachers? (back to top) Yes, California and states across the country have a shortage of credentialed math and science teachers in the middle and high school grades. Compounding the problem, nearly one-third of California's existing teaching work force is expected to retire in the next decade, and 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, new math and science credentialed teachers are sought after by districts across California, including those in Los Angeles and Orange County. What are the salary range and benefits for math and science teachers? (back to top) Salaries vary between school districts and generally are based on experience and college or professional development units completed beyond the bachelor's degree. Some districts pay bonuses for advanced degrees or extra duty. Across California the median annual salary in 2005 was $57,051 for secondary school teachers; while in Orange County the median was $62,456. The minimum starting salary for a new teacher in California is about $34,000; Orange County district starting salaries range close to $40,000. Teacher salaries are based on a 9-month school year. While some teachers enjoy taking 3 months off for summer vacation, others earn additional income from summer school teaching or other school-related responsibilities in the summer. Benefits vary from district to district, but usually include a range of health and retirement plans. What exams do I take to become a teacher? (back to top) Single subject math and science credential program admission requirements include the following exams:
Undergraduates can start to prepare for and take this exam as early as freshmen or sophomore year, but should plan to take it well before the application deadlines for credential programs.
Teacher candidates select the CSET in the subject for which they plan to earn a teaching credential. The exam has multiple subtests that can be taken separately. Undergraduates should familiarize themselves with the exam contents, and develop a timeline for taking exam subtests that aligns well with their completion of relevant UCI courses and deadlines for credential program applications. Students who are interested in pursuing a teaching credential in Math can also complete the Subject Matter Preparation Program (SMPP) to waive taking the CSET in Math.
The GRE is required only of students who apply to a teacher preparation program that combines a teaching credential and a master's degree. The UCI Department of Education provides students with the following centers for test preparation and resource materials:
What are the steps to earning a teaching credential and becoming a middle school or high school teacher in California? (back to top) California teachers must have a bachelor's degree in addition to their teaching credential. However, the state's universities do not offer bachelor's degrees in education or teaching, so 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 UCI majors for aspiring teachers of math include mathematics, engineering, computer science, or other degree programs that develop a solid foundation in mathematics. UCI degree programs in biological sciences, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, physics, and some engineering majors are common choices of future science teachers. To teach in a K-12 public school in California, you must earn a California teaching credential. Individuals interested in teaching at the middle or high school level earn a single subject credential; those interested in teaching elementary grades earn a multiple subject credential. In the fields of math and science, single subject credentials are offered in the subject areas of mathematics, biology/life science, chemistry, earth and planetary science, and physics. Generally, aspiring teachers of math or science complete an accredited teacher preparation program at a California university, leading to a teaching credential in one of these math or science subject areas. If desired, credentialed teachers can become authorized to teach additional subject areas by completing university level coursework and/or passing an exam in the selected subject. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing sets the requirements and issues teaching credentials in the state. Upon completing an accredited teacher credential program in California, teacher candidates earn a preliminary credential, which authorizes them to teach in the public schools. Through school district or regional induction programs, new teachers with the preliminary credential satisfy additional requirements to earn a professional clear credential. Do I need a master's degree to teach math or science? (back to top) 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 the post-baccalaureate units could place a teacher higher on the district's pay scale. There are multiple options for teachers who want to earn a master's degree with their teaching credential. These programs typically require some additional graduate coursework beyond the credential program courses. Some teachers prefer to earn their credential, start working, and then return for a master's degree after they have gained some teaching experience.
A California teaching credential is not required for a community college or university faculty position. However UCI 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 theories about how people learn, and the ways in which math and science knowledge is taught and developed throughout the middle and high school grades. Consider classes listed in the above FAQ about undergraduate courses for aspiring math and science teachers. Also consider getting experience as an undergraduate TA or tutor for math or science courses.
Many new elementary teachers are not well prepared to teach mathematics or science if they did not complete much or any 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 the Cal Teach 1 seminar “Introduction to Science & Math Teaching”, the first of three California Teach seminars. When students complete all three seminars they are able to compare experiences in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. In addition to math and science, elementary teachers must be prepared to teach the full K-6 curriculum, which includes reading, language arts and writing, history and social studies, visual and performing arts, and physical education. Aspiring elementary teachers earn a multiple subject teaching credential, with coursework that is somewhat different from the curricula of the single subject math or science credential program. Additionally, aspiring elementary teachers must pass a multiple subject CSET exam, which covers the different subject areas in the elementary curriculum. UCI undergraduates who are interested in becoming an elementary teacher should consult a counselor in the UCI Department of Education about undergraduate courses that cover these subject areas, elementary credential program options, and exams. |
|||||||
 |
UCI California Teach Resource Center |
 |
||||||
 |
||||||||
