Teaching Math in Maine

Maine is confident that with improved standards, curricula, instructional practices and assessment, along with strong efforts to ensure that every learner has access to highly effective teachers, they will bring academic success to their students. Accordingly, Maine is focused on four core areas to making this goal become a reality: common standards, professional development, next generation evaluations for teachers and communities of practice. The four focus areas combined with high expenditure per student and increasing salary averages make for a compelling argument to teach math in the beautiful New England state of Maine.

Maine also has added perks like loan forgiveness programs, math professional organizations, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) grants that will support your personal growth as well as reward you financially. With the extremely small student to teacher ratio of 11.1, you will have the opportunity to help each of your students grow. Maine has a shortage of math teachers and offers reciprocal licenses.

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to become a math educator in the great state of Maine, where you can take part in sailing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, skiing or snowshoeing.

Math Teacher Certification in Maine

Math Teaching Qualifications

Prospective teachers looking to earn their Maine teaching credential are required to complete the specified undergraduate coursework, pass the standardized tests and graduate from a state-approved certification program.

Credentials & Exams

The Maine Department of Education offers five different types of teaching certificates, based upon the applicant’s qualifications:

• Provisional Certificate: the initial certificate issued to new teachers (valid for two years).
• Professional Certificate: the standard certificate for Maine teachers. This certificate is usually issued to teachers who have a Provisional Certificate plus two years of experience (valid for five years).
• Master Certificate: this certificate is issued to National Board Certified teachers who have demonstrated exceptional knowledge of their content area (valid for five years).
• Conditional Certificate: prospective teachers lacking in six credits, or who still need to pass the basic skills exam, can apply for the Conditional Certificate. The certificate is good for one year while you fulfill any remaining requirements. Upon completion of the first year, the individual should apply for a Provisional Certificate.

Maine does offer reciprocal licenses for most states; however, prospective teachers must meet the content area assessment testing requirements and apply to the Department of Education for approval.

Finally, teachers are also required to pass the Praxis I Basic Skills tests in reading, writing and mathematics; the Principles of Learning and Teaching Test for the intended grade level; and the Praxis II exam for each subject area.

Alternative Certification for Math Teachers

Maine does not offer an Alternate Certification Process.