What does a mathematics instructor do?
A mathematics instructor is responsible for improving the students' numerical and analytical skills by teaching mathematical disciplines, processes, as well as its nature and history. Mathematics instructors create engaging lesson plans and ensure class coordination by planning group activities, observing the students' group cooperation, and assessing their social behavior. They adhere to the curriculum guidelines, identify every student's learning challenges, and develop strategic plans to address those difficulties. A mathematics instructor must have excellent communication skills, especially on implementing a smart teaching approach to maximize students' potential and prepare them for an advanced level.
Mathematics instructor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real mathematics instructor resumes:
- Manage a university mathematics laboratory.
- Teach undergraduate courses in algebra, pre-calculus, calculus, finite mathematics, and linear algebra.
- Format course as needed, adding and checking all course links, HTML, and CSS.
- Design courses and instruct classes in calculus and matrix algebra and evaluate student performance.
- Inform students about course requirements, evaluation procedures, class participation, and attendance requirements according to the course syllabus.
- Prepare materials used in academic administration including course syllabus.
- Instruct college mathematics courses including algebra, trigonometry and basic math.
- Demonstrate adaptability by teaching classes ranging from developmental math to differential equations with highly positive reviews.
- Instruct Pre-Algebra to 7th grade students.
- Engage with students in order to learn chemistry and mathematics.
- Instruct courses in physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology and technology
- Instruct courses in statistics, pre-calculus, and sets and logic theory
- Assist in teaching internal and public classes on first aid and CPR
- Instruct high school students on skills ranging from Pre-Algebra to developmental mathematics.
- Develop educational progressive study program to guide students into passing their GED.
Mathematics instructor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 29% of Mathematics Instructors are proficient in Math, Classroom Management, and Learning Environment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Critical-thinking skills, Interpersonal skills, and Resourcefulness.
We break down the percentage of Mathematics Instructors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Math, 29%
Remain current with professional development and updated on Math content by referring newly published books at Convocation.
- Classroom Management, 8%
Attend professional development training for Cambridge curriculum, AVID strategies, differentiated instruction and classroom management.
- Learning Environment, 8%
Designed instructional activities that contribute to a climate where students are actively engaged in a meaningful learning environment.
- Trigonometry, 7%
Provided math instruction in PreCalculus Algebra, Trigonometry and Finite Mathematics; Facilitated freshman orientations; Performed and presented departmental research/stats.
- Intermediate Algebra, 5%
Deliver instruction on computational and problem solving strategies for Pre-Algebra and Intermediate Algebra.
- Student Learning, 5%
Developed individualized student learning path in alignment with the district's advanced mathematics curriculum.
Most mathematics instructors use their skills in "math," "classroom management," and "learning environment" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential mathematics instructor responsibilities here:
Critical-thinking skills. One of the key soft skills for a mathematics instructor to have is critical-thinking skills. You can see how this relates to what mathematics instructors do because "to conduct original research and design experiments, postsecondary teachers need to analyze information logically." Additionally, a mathematics instructor resume shows how mathematics instructors use critical-thinking skills: "create engaging lessons to help students develop critical-thinking strategies by gaining an understanding of mathematical concepts. "
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform mathematics instructor duties is interpersonal skills. Mathematics instructors responsibilities require that "postsecondary teachers need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees." Mathematics instructors also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "use flexibility, resourcefulness, and organizational and interpersonal skills to assist in learning through a positive, encouraging environment. "
Resourcefulness. This is an important skill for mathematics instructors to perform their duties. For an example of how mathematics instructor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "postsecondary teachers must be able to present information in a way that students will understand." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a mathematics instructor: "use flexibility, resourcefulness, and organizational and interpersonal skills to assist in learning through a positive, encouraging environment. ".
Speaking skills. For certain mathematics instructor responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "speaking skills." The day-to-day duties of a mathematics instructor rely on this skill, as "postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what mathematics instructors do: "developed and presented the curriculum as stated in the course syllabus. "
Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a mathematics instructor to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what mathematics instructors relies on this skill, since "postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis." How this skill relates to mathematics instructor duties can be seen in an example from a mathematics instructor resume snippet: "prepare course curriculum, including writing the syllabus and creating and grading daily assignments, quizzes, and examinations. "
The three companies that hire the most mathematics instructors are:
- Mathnasium225 mathematics instructors jobs
- Educate!44 mathematics instructors jobs
- Art of Problem Solving10 mathematics instructors jobs
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Compare different mathematics instructors
Mathematics instructor vs. Adjunct faculty
Adjunct faculty is the collective term for adjunct professors or lecturers. The adjunct faculty teaches students based on the limited-term of their contract. Oftentimes, they teach preparatory or introductory courses by semester arrangement for the entire academic year. Most of them are employed in higher education. Unlike regular professors, adjunct faculty do not have benefits and are not required to be present in meetings. They can work as either a contract professor or a part-time professor.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between mathematics instructors and adjunct faculty. For instance, mathematics instructor responsibilities require skills such as "trigonometry," "intermediate algebra," "kids," and "excellent interpersonal." Whereas a adjunct faculty is skilled in "philosophy," "social work," "sociology," and "course curriculum." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Adjunct faculties earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $115,189. On the other hand, mathematics instructors are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $49,429.adjunct faculties tend to reach higher levels of education than mathematics instructors. In fact, adjunct faculties are 8.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 6.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Mathematics instructor vs. Adjunct lecturer
An Adjunct Lecturer is responsible for teaching college classes. They prepare course guides, teach content that matches courses standards, and assist students with inquiries outside of class.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real mathematics instructor resumes. While mathematics instructor responsibilities can utilize skills like "math," "classroom management," "learning environment," and "trigonometry," adjunct lecturers use skills like "undergraduate courses," "rehabilitation," "literature," and "class discussions."
On average, adjunct lecturers earn a higher salary than mathematics instructors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, adjunct lecturers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $95,827. Whereas mathematics instructors have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $49,429.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Adjunct lecturers tend to reach higher levels of education than mathematics instructors. In fact, they're 12.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 6.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for mathematics instructors in the next 3-5 years?
Coskun Cetin
Professor, California State University
Mathematics instructor vs. Adjunct professor
Adjunct professors are instructors who are employed on a contractual basis, commonly in part-time positions. They teach courses in the same manner as full-time professors do, but they are free from some of the duties of those fully employed university instructors or in tenure-track positions. They create, develop, distribute, review, and manage course syllabus materials. They teach students, evaluate their performance, and maintain records of attendance, engagement, and progress. They may also facilitate lectures, conduct seminars, and do other administrative tasks within the department. Most adjunct professors enjoy teaching as part-time because they have more flexibility in terms of schedule, can avoid the dilemma of the higher education system and it's known to be less stressful and demanding.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a mathematics instructor is likely to be skilled in "math," "classroom management," "trigonometry," and "intermediate algebra," while a typical adjunct professor is skilled in "course curriculum," "semester," "philosophy," and "undergraduate courses."
Adjunct professors earn the best pay in the education industry, where they command an average salary of $73,962. Mathematics instructors earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $49,429.adjunct professors typically earn higher educational levels compared to mathematics instructors. Specifically, they're 8.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 7.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Mathematics instructor vs. Visiting professor
Visiting professors are faculty members from an institution who must visit a host university to teach, lecture, or perform research on a topic they are knowledgeable in. These professors are required to create a positive learning environment among undergraduate students by inviting them to participate and engage in classroom activities, which can consistently enhance the learning process of their students. They must serve as dissertation research chairperson for Ph.D. students in qualitative and quantitative research studies. Visiting professors must also conduct in-person lectures and direct undergraduate theses for special topics research courses.
Types of mathematics instructor
Updated January 8, 2025
