Teaching Math in Georgia

When most people think of Georgia, they think of Atlanta – the economic and cultural hub of the south. While the Atlanta metropolitan area certainly serves a large number of students, there are also many rural teaching opportunities throughout the state. Georgia has a rich history and served as the backdrop of much of the Civil Rights movement. While much progress has been made since that time, there is still much work to be done in order to improve Georgia’s education system.

Teaching salaries are lower in Georgia than the national average, but so is the cost of living. Teachers can enjoy a good quality of life and take advantage of the vast natural resources and beauty found throughout the state.
With the achievement gap growing in Georgia, policymakers have made concerted efforts to attract high-quality teachers. Georgia offers a large number of alternative certification routes for professionals and programs like the Georgia Teaching Fellows and Teach for America – all in an effort to draw and retain good, high-quality teachers to meet the growing needs of the student population.

Math Teacher Certification in Georgia

Math Teaching Qualifications

Georgia requires certified teachers to have an undergraduate degree, complete a state-approved teacher preparation program and pass the GACE Basic Skills, Content, and Professional Tests in the appropriate subject area.

Credentials & Exams

Georgia has two tiers of certification:

• The first is the Initial Certificate, typically obtained through a non-traditional certification route.
• The second is the Clear Renewable Certificate (valid for five years), which is obtained after passing the Georgia Assessments for The Certification of Educators (GACE) test.

Alternative Certification for Math Teachers

Georgia offers three alternative certification routes:

• The first is the Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program (TAPP). This program is designed for career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree in the desired subject area. Participants complete a training program and internship and begin teaching with a renewable teaching certificate. In order to keep up with the growing student population in Georgia, the TAPP program has grown immensely and is now offered through more than a dozen regional education service agencies.
• The second alternative certification option is the Georgia Teaching Fellows program, which serves districts in Augusta, Southwest Georgia and metro-Atlanta locations. Participants receive an intensive six-week summer training to prepare for immediate placement in the classroom. Teaching fellows teach full-time and must commit to teaching three years in a high-need school district.
• The third option is the Troops to Teachers program, available for veterans looking to begin a teaching career.