Preparing to Teach Middle School
There are multiple options to become a middle school teacher:
Single Subject Teaching Credential:
Most middle school teachers hold a Single Subject Teaching credential.
The single subject credential authorizes the individual to teach
in the subject identified on the credential in grades K-12. So while
most single subject credential holders teach at the middle school
or high school levels, some teach in the lower grades. For example,
many music teachers who teach at elementary schools hold single
subject credentials.
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential:
An individual who holds a Multiple Subject Teaching credential may
also teach through 9th grade level by obtaining an Introductory
Subject Matter Authorization. An Introductory Subject Matter Authorization
(ISMA) may be issued to holders of Multiple Subject or Single Subject
Teaching Credentials. ISMA requires an individual to complete 32
semester units of non-remedial course work or a collegiate major
in the subject. The introductory subjects authorize the holder to
teach the subject matter content typically included in curriculum
guidelines and textbooks approved for study in grades 9 and below.
The professional teacher must possess expertise in two broad categories
of knowledge:
Subject Matter: The teacher must be competent and knowledgeable
in the subject(s) he/she teaches. The high school or middle school
English teacher must be knowledgeable about composition, oral communication,
literature, and grammar. The high school or middle school mathematics
teacher must have a solid knowledge base in the various areas in
math such as number theory, algebra, geometry, statistics, measurement,
and calculus.
Pedagogy: The teacher must be competent and skilled in the
professional methods of teaching. The teacher must understand how
to teach students with diverse abilities, learning styles and backgrounds.
The professional understands and uses appropriate strategies for
managing classroom behavior.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requires that teachers teach in Title
1 schools after July 1, 2002 and all teachers by July 1, 2006 be
"highly qualified" or NCLB compliant in NCLB core academic
subject areas (English, Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science, Foreign
Language, Civics/Government, Economics, Arts, History and Geography).
NCLB compliance requires that teachers hold a bachelor's degree,
state certification and achieve subject matter competence in the
subject area(s) being taught.
Follow this link for information on a Single
Subject Teaching Credential
Follow this link for information on the Multiple
Subject Teaching Credential
Select an Introductory Subject Matter Authorization available through
CSUF below:
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