Teaching Math in Montana

No Montana home would be complete without hiking boots to roam Yellowstone, skis to hit the slopes at Bridger Bowl and waders to fly-fish in the rapids of the Bitterroot. Similarly, no Montana school would be complete without passionate, high-quality math teachers. Although the average salary for a teacher in Montana is below the national average, there are still many advantages to becoming a math teacher in Montana. The cost of living is affordable and the state has no income tax.

Montana also boasts an extremely low student-to-teacher ratio at 10.4 to 1. Montana is serious about investing in its students – per-pupil expenditures totaled in at around 95 percent of the national average. As a math teacher in Montana, this means you’ll have the resources and time you’ll need to ensure your students succeed.

Montana is dedicated to attracting the best teachers and helping them achieve their goals. The state offers a variety of loan forgiveness programs for current teachers working in high-needs areas, and the University of Montana offers awards for tutoring and facilitating math classroom activities. Montana offers both traditional and reciprocal licenses. There’s also an alternative license option that gives teachers up to three years to complete the requirements needed for full certification.

Math Teacher Certification in Montana

Math Teaching Qualifications

Montana requires teachers to possess a bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. However, unlike other states, Montana does not require prospective teachers to pass a standardized examination as part of its teacher certification process. However, teachers interested in attaining “Highly Qualified” status must pass the Praxis test.

Credentials & Exams

Montana offers two levels of certification for teachers. These include:

• Class 2 Standard: In order to receive this license, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, complete an approved teacher preparation program and complete a supervised teacher experience OR have one year of teaching experience in an accredited school.
• Class 1 Professional: This license is issued to teachers who possess a Class 2 Standard certificate, a master’s degree and three years of teaching experienced as a licensed K-12 educator.

Montana also offers a reciprocity option. In order to qualify, applicants must verify their out-of-state credentials and certification. Applicants may be issued an alternative certification (see below for more information) until all Montana certification requirements have been met.

Alternative Certification for Math Teachers

Class 5 Alternative: This three-year license is issued to prospective teachers who still need to complete an approved teacher preparation program or the required undergraduate coursework. Different levels are issued, depending on which requirements the candidate still needs to complete. For more information, please visit the Montana Office of Public Instruction website.