So, you’ve just completed your B.ED in Mathematics and now looking for a position of a Math teacher in a reputed school? It is possible you might have lots of confusion ‘How can I get a Math teacher job and what essential mathematical skill requires to be a good math teacher in all this pandemic chaos?’
And the confusion is genuine, keeping in mind what is happening with respect to jobs of maths teachers in post-pandemic era.
In recent years, the education sector affected soberly, especially with the increasing rate of unemployment. As the school shutdowns, the number of teachers had no other option but to accept lower salaries and even sit at home and losing their jobs.
And moreover, the trend of online classes has changed the current job market and opened up the whole new concept of teaching. This new trend might also change the importance of the skills required to acquire a good maths teachers job. As current time has become a new normal and is going to stay here.
A large number of fresher are waiting to get hired as a math teacher and this ever growing competition making it more & more difficult. Along with a degree, now, you really need some helpful skills that will not only boost your math career but gives you advantage over others in the line.
In this article, we’ll tell you the essential skills you can acquire as a math teacher irrespective of, if you are experienced or a fresher. Earning these skills can lead to higher salaries and expand career opportunities.
Essential Mathematical Skills for a Math Teacher in 2021
Student Handling Skills
As a teacher the first and foremost thing you have to do is to know each and every student of yours. Their need, their ways of learning, their mindset, expected flaws. It is one of the essential skills you need to acquire because once you know how to handle the student; you can establish a connect with your students like no one.
This new normal has also changed the student’s perspective towards learning. Online class have opened up more challenges for a teacher as well as for students so understanding both perspective is very essential to the job.
Therefore, being teacher you must have know the current environment of learning and the way to conduct the online classes using the tools as suggested by the school or the system adopted by the school. You need to learn different ways to handle different students some would like you and just agree with you and some won’t and create a disturbing environment now how do you handle different type of students would be an art and it can be learnt.
There is no doubt that majority of the student consider math as the heaviest subject because of many reasons mainly their mindset that they’ve developed over the period of time.
For a math teacher, the biggest responsibility is to create interest in mathematics and remove the Mathematics phobia from student’s mind, it may seem difficult but with the right way and right methods it isn’t.
Be Ready to learn and adapt to Flexible Teaching Methodologies
The flexible teaching methodologies aren’t just only an important skill but also the need of today’s education system. Especially with the subject of Mathematics.
It might possible that student consider math as the difficult subject because of the old traditional way of teaching and the environment they’ve been provided in schools and home. Majority of the teacher and educational institutes never analysed the need and modern approach of teaching mathematics.
So, working on those skills that supports the modern approach would be a great way to get a better Math teacher job and for the students too.
A) The CRA Approach
The aware educational institutes and countries such as in Finland uses C (concrete)-R (Representational)-A (Abstract) method in classrooms for flexible understanding of numbers and operations.
Concrete- It is known as the “doing” stage. Here, Students are introduced to the mathematical concept with the help of manipulative, which help them to understand the basic concepts of mathematics.
Representation – It is known as the “seeing” stage and involves using images to represent objects. Here, students learn by using pictures of manipulative or tools as they move from knowledge to understanding.
Abstract – It is known as the “symbolic” stage and involves using only numbers and symbols to solve a math problem. Here, knowledge gained from the previous stages helps students deal comfortably with abstract concepts in mathematics
The Unaware teachers simply skip that practical approach in maths which is the fundamental building block to recognise numbers, shapes & algorithms.
B) Activity Based Teaching
Using hands on activities in math class is undoubtedly a productive way of teaching for both teacher & student. Student can lean concept easily and in a healthy environment. Student can learn math by doing math.
This methodology is often used by only a few teachers in elementary classes, but still majority of teacher aren’t aware about this extremely helpful method that can bring revolutionary change in mindset of doing mathematics.
Effective Communication Skills
An effective communication skill while explaining math concept is a cherry on a cake. The more effectively you communicate knowledge, more effectively they’ll understand which eventually build up the connect and their interest in the subject.
Although, one can acquire communication skill naturally, but you can improvise it by practising. While explaining math concept, keep in mind the practical approach you can use for their better understanding.
An effective communication is beneficial especially when student feel sluggish and bored in mathematics class. Interestingly, the communication skills isn’t just essential for a Math teacher job but for all who want to be a good teacher in their respective subject.
Do not mistake effective communications skills as Effective Spoken English skills, as it is a skill to put across the point the way it can be understood by the other person, so in this case learners should be able to understand the content the way you wanted it to be understood.
Adapting to Change
The changes are necessary with the passage of time. Keeping stuck with old ways can create a problem.
Therefore, teacher must be open to change. Changes might seem difficult, scary & uncomfortable but it is also a fact that some changes are way more effective than the previous one and that can bring a revolutionary change in education system.
For instance, in today’s time the need for teachers to be IT savvy is essential skill.
The worldwide adoption of online classes has made this even more important for any future /current teacher like you to be more than ready to demonstrate and show comfort on these skills to the prospective employer.
Even class handling skills which used to happen in four walls of the classroom has undergone a change and today the skill is redefined as ‘How to manage classroom skills in an online environment when there are so many factors potentially effect the tempo.
Keep doing effective research and learning new skills then implementing it to see if it works for you is the only way to learn and grow.
Above all you need to have a positive mindset and ready to make focused efforts till you achieve your goals.
So, Having all these skills in recent times is exceptionally helpful, that can land you with a good math teacher job easily. Once your are confident on these skills then you should highlight it in your math teach resume.
You just have to think outside of box, think outside of traditional teaching. And once you recognise this needful change, you’ll not only open big opportunities for you as math teacher but also change the overall mindset of doing Mathematics.
Tips for a Fresher-
If you’re a fresher and looking for a math teacher job, you might be having lots of difficulties, as the experienced ones are sitting at home ideally and you’re just starting out.
But again, if you have that relevant interest and skills and you are ready to adapt this change, you are all set to attain the profession success.
To help you with your journey to get a better Math teacher job, we at Wisetime offer the teacher training to maths teachers so that they pick the right skill the right way.
We have envisions to transform the concept of education and focuses on the CRA method of teaching maths, so that the student & teachers both gets a sense of enjoyment, empowerment and wisdom.
We have a designed many Hands-on-maths activities which are in class wise & topic wise format in turn saving huge amount of time and effort for any curious teachers who would like to acquire and get updated on hands-on-maths skills.
You don’t have to look further if you’re ready to bring a change in the way of teaching mathematics. We have those essential tools to help you with the practical way of teaching maths.
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