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Mathematics Education

The B.S. in Mathematics with Secondary Education Certification prepares you with a strong content knowledge in mathematics and pedagogical skills for teaching in the 21st century.

Why consider teaching mathematics?

Contemporary mathematics education research, international and national mathematics achievement tests and current professional standards point to the need for mathematics teachers who are competent in content and pedagogical knowledge. Currently, there is a demand for highly qualified mathematics teachers in our nation's secondary schools. Someone who enjoys and excels in mathematics and has the potential to establish positive learning relationships with young people should consider a career in teaching mathematics.

Why choose Shippensburg?

Shippensburg University embraces the challenge of preparing strong mathematics teachers for the 21st century. SU graduates are in great demand to fill teaching positions that are available locally and across the country. Shippensburg University's program is nationally recognized by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

The B.S. in Mathematics with Secondary Education Certification is a thoughtfully planned sequence of courses designed to prepare future teachers for teaching mathematics in grades 7 through 12. The program is designed to provide a strong and diverse mathematics content knowledge complemented by an awareness of best practices and effective strategies for teaching mathematics. Class sizes are small, so students get to know faculty well. A key strength of the program is that students earn a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, in addition to a teaching certificate. The program prepares the graduate for a rewarding career as a mathematics teacher as well as for further studies in mathematics.

Three capstone courses, related to teaching mathematics, provide an integrated approach to understanding the theories, principles, and practices of teaching and learning mathematics along with the use of technology in the mathematics classroom. The three courses are taught by the mathematics education faculty, each having secondary classroom teaching experience. Through the use of active explorations, mathematics education readings and resources, case studies, peer teaching, and classroom technology, students develop a shared vision for teaching and learning mathematics.

Who are the faculty?

The Shippensburg University mathematics faculty is a team of energetic individuals who are experts in their fields of study — in addition to being dynamic teachers! They believe in teaching mathematics for understanding and enjoy collaborating with students on mathematical research projects and other student-oriented activities. There are additional opportunities for students to be involved with grant-related activities and to attend professional conferences at the local, state and national level.

The mathematics education faculty members all have public school teaching experience. They serve as advisors for certification students and teach the capstone courses. They are leaders in their field — active in local, state and national professional organizations — and regularly present at professional meetings throughout the country

What pre-professional experiences are included in the program?

During the freshman year, students are paired with a mathematics education faculty mentor who will guide them through a series of experiences to introduce them to the teaching profession. In the first few years, students spend a total of three days observing mathematics teaching in suburban, rural and urban settings. In addition, students volunteer as mathematics tutors. Students also become active in a professional organization, participate in community service projects and become involved in departmental activities.

During the senior-year capstone courses, students observe and work with two secondary mathematics teachers for seven to eight days in their classrooms. This immersion experience prepares the prospective teacher for the pace and practice of day-to-day teaching.

Student teaching is the culminating experience in the program. Students are typically paired with two cooperating teachers so that they spend eight weeks in two different classrooms. There are opportunities to teach in both urban and rural settings. Student teachers are supervised by mathematics education faculty from the Department of Mathematics

What facilities does Shippensburg have?

The Department of Mathematics classroom facilities include a mathematics teaching lab. The mathematics education lab has an extensive library including a collection of the National Science Foundation’s recognized Standards-based curricula, publications from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and many activity resources for teachers.

The department’s computer classroom contains 32 networked desktop computers. In addition, the secondary mathematics teaching lab has an interactive whiteboard and wireless laptops. The department also has sets of TI-83+ and TI-84 calculators and other hands-on teaching materials.