Teaching Math in Michigan

Math teachers in Michigan are among the top paid in the nation – despite a decrease in average teacher salaries over the last 10 years. Michigan recently created a new level of certification, the Advanced Professional Certificate, which rewards teachers financially for high-effectiveness ratings. This new differentiated pay structure compensates teachers for performance rather than experience. Michigan also offers a wide-range of perks, including reciprocal licensure, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) grants and generous scholarship programs.

Michigan’s student-to-teacher ratios are a little higher than the national average; however, the opportunities to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives are endless, especially if you take advantage of the numerous professional development organizations and other resources available to teachers.

One of the best parts of living and teaching in Michigan is the low cost of living. Michigan’s cost of living is 10 percent below the national average, and income is taxed at a flat rate of 4.3 percent. Although this Midwestern state is nowhere near an ocean, residents are never more than six miles from a body of water. Filled with sandy, dune-lined shores and a number of small towns with quaint downtown areas, Michigan is a wonderful place to be a math teacher.

Math Teacher Certification in Michigan

Math Teaching Qualifications

In order to be a teacher in Michigan, successful candidates must complete the required amount of undergraduate coursework, pass the appropriate standardized tests and complete a state-approved teacher certification program.

Credentials & Exams

All teachers must pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) exam. The test consists of three levels (depending on the level of certification sought):

• MTTC Test of Basic Skills
• MTTC Elementary Level Certification
• MTTC Secondary-Level Certification (includes a specific subject test)

Michigan offers four types of teaching certificates, including a reciprocal license for teachers certified in another state or jurisdiction. These include:

• Provisional Certificate – Initial Teacher Certificate: This certificate is issued to teachers who have successfully completed a state-approved teacher preparation program and passed the requisite Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) exams, including the Professional Readiness Examination (PRE).
• Professional Education Certificate: Issued to teachers who already possess a valid (or expired) Provisional Certificate in Michigan. Requirements include three years of satisfactory teaching experience and documented continuing education credits. The certificate is valid for five years.
• Advanced Professional Certificate: The newest (and highest) level of certification offered by Michigan, this certificate requires five consecutive “effective or “highly effective” ratings, National Board Certification or completion of a Teacher Leader training or preparation program. This innovative certificate provides teachers with an increase in compensation based on performance as opposed to experience.
• Reciprocal License – Provisional Temporary Teacher Employment Authorization (T2EA): This certificate is issued to applicants who hold a valid teaching certificate issued by another state or jurisdiction, have never held a Michigan teaching certificate and meet all the requirements for the Provisional Certificate (except for passing the MTTC). In order to qualify, eligible applicants must apply for the initial Provisional Certification.

Click here for more detailed information on Michigan’s teacher licensure process.

Alternative Certification for Math Teachers

Michigan also offers the “Michigan Alternate Routes to Certification” option, which allows individuals to work as teachers while simultaneously completing a state-approved certification program. For more information on MARTC, please visit the Michigan Department of Education website.