With its low student-to-teacher ratio, generous incentive programs and multiple pathways leading to certification, who wouldn’t dream of teaching math in a state like Virginia? There’s a shortage of math teachers in grades 6–12, which means there’s an active need to attract and retain highly-qualified individuals.
Teaching in Virginia makes financial sense, too. According to the National Education Association, the average starting salary for teachers in Virginia is $37,848, with significant room for growth as you gain experience. Virginia also offers financial assistance programs, including scholarships and loan forgiveness options, to help defray the costs of your training and education.
Whether you’re looking to make the next big move of your career, or you’re preparing to take your first step into the field, Virginia has a lot to offer ambitious and aspiring educators.
Math Teacher Certification in Virginia
Math Teaching Qualifications
In order to qualify for certification in Virginia, prospective teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree, satisfactorily complete a teacher preparation program and pass the mandated professional teacher examinations.
Credentials & Exams
- Testing Requirements: All prospective teachers are required to take the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment and the Praxis II test for your specific content area.
- Initial License: This initial teaching license is issued to prospective teachers who have completed an approved teacher preparation program ,or an alternative approved program, along with other specified testing requirements.
- Reciprocity: If you hold a certificate in a comparable endorsement area, completed a teacher preparatory program, hold a valid out-of-state license, have (at least) three years experience or National Board Certification, then you may be eligible for a reciprocal license.
Alternative Certification for Math Teachers
Alternative Licensure: Virginia also offers an alternative route to certification, which requires the recommendation of employing school district. Successful applicants will receive a three-year nonrenewable teaching license. In order to qualify, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree, five years of professional work experience, completed coursework in the subject or area to be taught and pass the required examinations.
Financial Aid for VA Math Teachers
- STEM Bridge Scholarship Program: This scholarship is awarded to sophomore students from any federally recognized minority group enrolled full-time in a program of study in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) at one of the five Virginia Space Grant member universities.
- Virginia Teaching Loan Scholarships Program: This program provides scholarship-loans up to $3,720. Recipients must agree to teach continuously in a Virginia public school for the same number of years funds were received.
- VCTM Scholarship Program: The Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics offers several scholarships to prospective math teachers. Candidates must plan to teach in Virginia upon graduation at the primary, secondary or collegiate level.
Math Teaching Degrees in Virginia
Below we've listed all of the Virginia math teacher education programs in our database. We're constantly scouring the web to find new programs to add, so feel free to check back frequently.
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Fast Facts for Virginia Math Teachers
Educator Licensing
Virginia Department of Education
James Monroe Building, 101 N. 14th St.P.O. Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218
804-225-2023
Common Core
Virginia has not adopted the Common Core Standards. Learn more about math standards for Virginia here.
Math Teacher Jobs
Professional Associations
Teacher Shortages in Math
Virginia reported teacher shortages in mathematics (including algebra) in 2014-15 in grades 6-12.Expenditure per Student: $11,457
Virginia’s public K-12 expenditures per student in fall 2012-13 enrollment totaled $11,457, or 103.5% of the national average. (Source: NEA)