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What does a math teacher do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Diana Jones
What does a math teacher do

A math teacher is responsible for instilling analytical and statistical knowledge to the learners. The duties of a math teacher include the development of a student's problem-solving skills, practical application of formulas and logical reasoning, utilization of visual materials and other learning equipment for better comprehension, and evaluation of the students' learning progress by conducting series of tests and activities. A math teacher should also support and encourage students and build their self-confidence by providing regular coachings, managing their learning challenges, and keeping engaging lesson plans.

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Math teacher responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real math teacher resumes:

  • Lead professional development for colleagues on integrating graphing calculators into the curriculum.
  • Utilize cooperative learning techniques and provide individualized instruction in the field of pre-algebra and middle grade mathematics.
  • Provide students with high quality teaching of math subject utilizing state standards, course overviews accelerate mathematics curriculum program.
  • Plan and teach lessons for 6th grade mathematics and 7th grade Pre-Algebra.
  • Motivate students with various academic abilities to learn pre-calculus, geometry, and general earth science.
  • Design inquiry base unit on human anatomy and physiology.
  • Work in PLC with other faculty members.
  • Review and prepare students for the STAAR exam.
  • Maintain and implement IEPs of students with special services.
  • Write IEPs and distribute copies to parents and MAPEC.
  • Work with students and parents to help prepare for EOC.
  • Work with a freshman team to address keeping freshman from dropping out.
  • Recruit the plant physiology professor to guide the students through the garden.
  • Core member of the PBIS committee to encourage positive school-wide classroom behavior.
  • Observe, evaluate, and improve teacher quality through mentor programs and PLC.

Math teacher skills and personality traits

We calculated that 32% of Math Teachers are proficient in Math, Classroom Management, and Student Learning. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Physical stamina, and Critical-thinking skills.

We break down the percentage of Math Teachers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Math, 32%

    Organized a Family Math activity-based evening o Boston University - Graduate School of Education class.

  • Classroom Management, 12%

    Attended a variety of Professional Development workshops centered on learning goals, classroom management, Common Core Standards implementation and literacy.

  • Student Learning, 5%

    Balanced Commonwealth curriculum requirements with whole-student learning approach: integrated study skills and reflection-writing pieces to increase student ownership of achievement.

  • Instructional Materials, 4%

    Developed lesson plans, instructional materials and provided individualized instruction in order to adapt the curriculum for universal access.

  • Public Schools, 4%

    Developed curriculum that challenged high school students who had been previously expelled from Chicago Public Schools for disciplinary and attendance problems.

  • Algebra II, 3%

    Developed project-based learning units to increase student involvement and achievement in an innovative Geometry/ Algebra II class

"math," "classroom management," and "student learning" are among the most common skills that math teachers use at work. You can find even more math teacher responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a math teacher to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what math teachers do because "teachers must share ideas with their students, other teachers, and school administrators and staff." Additionally, a math teacher resume shows how math teachers use communication skills: "managed parents expectations of the mathematics department and of students through frequent, specific communication"

See the full list of math teacher skills

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Compare different math teachers

Math teacher vs. Long term substitute teacher

A long term substitute teacher is responsible for covering the duties of a teacher who is away for a long time. Long term substitute teachers proceed with the lesson plan outlines and the regular teacher's curriculum depending on their expertise. They monitor and assess the students' behavior, create an engaging learning environment, evaluate the students' learning progress by conducting a series of tests, create reports of the students' performance, and help students struggling with the subject.

We looked at the average math teacher salary and compared it with the wages of a long term substitute teacher. Generally speaking, long term substitute teachers are paid $8,280 lower than math teachers per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both math teacher and long term substitute teacher positions are skilled in math, classroom management, and student learning.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, math teacher responsibilities require skills like "algebra ii," "mathematics curriculum," "instructional strategies," and "trigonometry." Meanwhile a typical long term substitute teacher has skills in areas such as "long-term substitute," "professional development," "kindergarten," and "language arts." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Long term substitute teachers tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $44,729. In contrast, math teachers make the biggest average salary, $51,152, in the education industry.On average, long term substitute teachers reach similar levels of education than math teachers. Long term substitute teachers are 1.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Math teacher vs. English language arts teacher

English language teachers are in charge of establishing a classroom setting that advance in each student the skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. They assist in the development and recognition of fine literature of all types, inspire students to read extensively for information and recreation, and develop guidelines for analytical judgment of written and oral communication. Also, they attend to students' exceptional needs as well as find out and develop their special talents.

On average, english language arts teachers earn a $2,605 lower salary than math teachers a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both math teachers and english language arts teachers have skills such as "math," "classroom management," and "student learning. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that math teacher responsibilities requires skills like "algebra ii," "mathematics curriculum," "trigonometry," and "data analysis." But an english language arts teacher might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "language arts," "language," "english language," and "literature."

On average, english language arts teachers earn a lower salary than math teachers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, english language arts teachers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $47,098. Whereas math teachers have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $51,152.english language arts teachers earn similar levels of education than math teachers in general. They're 5.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for math teachers in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Diana JonesDr. Diana Jones LinkedIn profile

Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University

Technology in the next 3-5 years -- That is a tough question because technology is continually changing. However, I would say whatever learning system their school provides (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, etc.), they should get to know. Also, the technology that involves making/editing videos of teaching would be necessary. The technique that includes exercise, fitness, sports such as heart rate monitors, Fitbits, etc. Finally, a technology that allows interactions between teachers and students and students and students.

Math teacher vs. Elementary school teacher

Elementary school teachers are trained to provide education to children from kindergarten through fifth grade. The teachers are responsible for children's emotional and educational growth in the classroom. They manage the resources and materials to be used for their education. It is part of their duties to evaluate the students' performance, social development, physical health, and behavior. Also, they adapt to teaching methods and instructions to meet the interests and needs of the children.

On average, elementary school teachers earn higher salaries than math teachers, with a $1,073 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on math teachers and elementary school teachers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "math," "classroom management," and "student learning.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from math teacher resumes include skills like "algebra ii," "mathematics curriculum," "trigonometry," and "data analysis," whereas an elementary school teacher is more likely to list skills in "professional development," "classroom environment," "language arts," and "physical education. "

Elementary school teachers make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $56,048. On the other hand, math teachers are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $51,152.When it comes to education, elementary school teachers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to math teachers. In fact, they're 2.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Math teacher vs. Special education teacher

A special education teacher is responsible for teaching students with disabilities. Special education teachers are trained professionals to provide distinct learning instructions for children with special cases for them to achieve their potentials and improve their self-confidence. A special education teacher must have excellent communication and organizational skills to assist the students with their learning areas. Special education teachers should be able to come up with engaging activities to support the students' behavioral and intellectual development.

Special education teachers average a higher salary than the annual salary of math teachers. The difference is about $3,202 per year.While both math teachers and special education teachers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like math, classroom management, and student learning, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A math teacher uses "algebra ii," "mathematics curriculum," "learning process," and "instructional strategies." Special education teachers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "autism," "behavior management," "ieps," and "professional development. "The government industry tends to pay the highest salaries for special education teachers, with average annual pay of $55,080. Comparatively, the highest math teacher annual salary comes from the education industry.special education teachers reach higher levels of education compared to math teachers, in general. The difference is that they're 6.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of math teacher

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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