Teaching Math in Nevada

With its rustic southwestern charm and the glitz and glamour offered by “The Entertainment Capital of the World”, Nevada has become the second fastest growing state in the nation. All of this population growth has put math teachers in high demand. It is therefore fitting that Nevada is amongst the top ten states in the nation to see their average teacher salaries increase within recent years. The Nevada high growth, high needs formula equals a plethora of exciting opportunities for beginning teachers.

Math Teacher Certification in Nevada

Math Teaching Qualifications

Nevada teachers are required to complete a specified amount of undergraduate coursework, pass all mandated standardized examinations and graduate from a state-approved teacher preparation program.

Credentials & Exams

Testing Requirements: There are two types of testing provisions in Nevada, state-mandated testing and Praxis competency testing. Information regarding the state-mandated testing requirement can be found here, information regarding the Praxis competency testing can be found here.

There are several types of educator licenses in Nevada, most of which are issued with a three-year provisionary period to allow for the completion of state and federal mandated testing.

• Early Childhood: In order to qualify, candidates must have (a) a bachelor’s degree and (b) completed at least 35 semester units in classes geared towards teaching students at the early childhood level.
• Elementary: Eligible candidates must have (a) a bachelor’s degree and (b) completed a board approved program of preparation for teaching elementary grades. 55 units must be completed within this program covering specific methods of teaching and supervised student teaching.
• Middle School: Candidates must have (a) a bachelor’s degree and (b) completed a board approved program of preparation for teaching middle school grades or 24 units in professional education that includes courses in specific methods of teaching and supervised student teaching, and 24 units in a specific board approved concentration.
• Secondary Academic (Grades 7-12) : Candidates must have (a) a bachelor’s degree and (b) completed 22 board approved units in supervised teaching, at least one methods course in teaching a secondary subject and courses involving teaching students with disabilities and family engagement.
• Reciprocity: Nevada offers licensure reciprocity for out-of-state licenses, assuming the grade levels and subject areas match Nevada’s licensing areas and provided that the license is not temporary, alternative, emergency, provisional, or conditional. Reciprocity may also exempt qualifying teachers from state testing.

Alternative Certification for Math Teachers

Nevada also offers an alternative pathway to certification:

• Alternative License: The minimum requirements for an alternative license: enrolled in a program for alternative licensure, hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school, pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam or be eligible for exemption, and hold a major or minor in the core area the teacher intends to teach or pass the corresponding Praxis II Subject Area Assessment.