Mathematics Teaching Major

SSH AND NSM PEAKS

Students who wish to earn teacher certification for secondary grades 6-12 must complete the Mathematics Teaching major. This major fulfills the the Social Sciences and History (SSH) Peak and the Natural Sciences and Math (NSM) Peak. In addition, students must complete their Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA) Peak and their Professional Foundations (PFE) Peak.

Students must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA to qualify for licensure in the state of Idaho. Before student teaching, students must pass their required Praxis exams.

Students should consult with Education Department faculty early in their program to ensure they are on a proper pathway toward licensure.

Major Requirements

83-85 credits

Mathematics Courses (42 credits)

Mathematics Core (30 credits)

CSC-150	Comp Sci I: Intro to Comp Sci and Prog	3 credits
-
MAT-125	Data Analysis and Statistics	3 credits
-	or
MAT-212	Multiple Regression Analysis	3 credits
-
MAT-175	Single Variable Calculus	4 credits
MAT-252	Discrete Mathematics	3 credits
MAT-275	Multivariable Calculus	4 credits
MAT-311	Probability and Mathematical Statistics I	3 credits
MAT-361	Linear Algebra	3 credits
MAT-370	Geometry	3 credits
PHY-271	Analytical Physics I	3 credits
PHY-271L	Analytical Physics I Lab	1 credit

Upper-Division Coursework (6 credits)

Complete any two of the following advanced courses (6 credits):

MAT-431	Complex Analysis	3 credits
MAT-451	Real Analysis	3 credits
MAT-461	Abstract Algebra	3 credits

Mathematics Electives (6 credits)

Complete at least 6 additional credits in mathematics.

Secondary Education Core (28 credits)

Complete the following:

EDU-202	Introduction to Teaching	3 credits
EDU-301	Foundations of Schooling	3 credits
EDU-305	Literacy in Content Areas	4 credits
EDU-306	Writing Process and Assessment	3 credits
EDU-430	Teaching in a Diverse Society	3 credits
EDU-441	Curriculum and Instruction	3 credits
EDU-442	Teaching Exceptional Children	3 credits
EDU-471	Instructional Methods and Assessment	3 credits
PSY-201	Developmental Psychology	3 credits

Student Teaching (13-15 credits)

Complete a student-teaching placement in a local school setting.

EDU-488	Secondary Student Teaching	12 credits
EDU-489	Student Teaching Seminar	1-3 credits

Outcomes

The Learner and Learning

Standard 1: Learner Development. The teacher candidate understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.

Standard 2: Learning Differences. The teacher candidate uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.

Standard 3: Learning Environments. The teacher candidate works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Content

Standard 4: Content Knowledge. The teacher candidate understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.

Standard 5: Application of Content. The teacher candidate understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

Instructional Practice

Standard 6: Assessment. The teacher candidate understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.

Standard 7: Planning for Instruction. The teacher candidate plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross- disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

Standard 8: Instructional Strategies. The teacher candidate understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

Professional Responsibility

Standard 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice. The teacher candidate engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

Standard 10: Leadership and Collaboration. The teacher candidate seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

State Specific Standards

Standard 11: American Indian Tribes in Idaho*. The teacher candidate should be able to distinguish between each of the federally recognized tribes with respect to the retention of their ancestral lands in Idaho: Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes. Teacher candidates build capacity in learners to utilize the assets that each learner brings to the learning community based on their backgrounds and experiences. *The federal, state, local, and tribal governments of Idaho recognize the unique inherent self-determination of each tribe. The self-determination of each tribe recognizes Indigenous peoples as peoples, rather than populations or national minorities. The tribes are separate and distinct from each other.

Standard 12: Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators. The teacher candidate understands the Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators and its place in supporting the integrity of the profession.

Standard 13: Digital Technology and Online Learning. The teacher candidate knows how to use digital technology to create lessons and facilitate instruction and assessment in face-to-face, blended, and online learning environments to engage students and enhance learning.