Teaching Math in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a top-notch university system, a low unemployment rate, a below-average cost of living and an average teacher salary that is roughly on par with the national average for teachers.

All of this combined makes for a compelling argument for being a math teacher in Wisconsin. You can add to the list of perks a below average student-to-teacher ratio of 14.9 to 1, and per-student expenditures totaling in at 112.2 percent of the national average.

There are several grants and scholarships available to students currently enrolled in a teacher education programs, and grants for current teachers to apply toward professional development. Wisconsin also participates in federal loan forgiveness programs.

Wisconsin has traditional, alternative and reciprocal pathways to obtaining certification. The state participates in the Common Core Standards and the Smarter Balanced Consortium. Math teachers of all levels and in areas all across the state are making higher than average salaries.

Despite the cold weather, Wisconsin residents are warm, friendly and helpful – making this a great state in which to become a math teacher.

Math Teacher Certification in Wisconsin

Credentials & Exams

• Testing Requirements: Applicants interested in pursuing an elementary teacher license (grades K-5) must pass the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test. Other applicants must pass the Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test in Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Applicants looking to teach in specified subject areas must also pass the Praxis II: Subject Area Tests.
• Professional: Wisconsin teachers advance from an Initial Educator License to a five-year Professional Educator License once they have successfully completed 3-5 years of full-time teaching and have a professional development plan in place. There is also an optional, 10-year, Master Educator License, for which teachers must go through a rigorous assessment process.
• Reciprocity: Individuals who have completed a state-approved teacher preparation program outside Wisconsin are eligible to apply for certification. In addition to holding an out-of-state teaching certificate, candidates must have also completed the testing requirements of the issuing state.

Alternative Certification for Math Teachers

Alternate Path: Wisconsin also offers an alternative pathway to licensure. Individuals seeking a subject-specific certificate must hold a bachelor’s degree with a major in the subject area for which they’re seeking certification.