Maths teacher (Docent wiskunde)
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A maths teacher is responsible for teaching maths to students. The profession of mathematics teacher can cover different levels, so a maths teacher has to deal with different pupils or students, depending on the type of school in which he or she works. Mathematics is a formal science whose usual definition is: studying patterns and structures. Maths lessons are important because most people deal with math every day. Mathematics involves applying proven theorems, such as the Pythagorean theorem, to determine a distance. Within the Netherlands, mathematics is a fixed part of primary and secondary education. Within primary education, mathematics, however, relates more to arithmetic than to mathematics. It is the responsibility of a mathematics teacher to introduce students to mathematics in a good way. As a mathematics teacher, it is not only important that you have good didactic skills, because passion and energy can also be regarded as important competencies. As described earlier, mathematics is important for everyone in everyday life, because everyone has to deal with arithmetic and mathematics. In short, we can best describe the work of a mathematics teacher as teaching students math skills. These can be basic arithmetic skills, such as multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, root pulling, power elevating and fractions. It can also involve more complex mathematical matters, such as solving equations, integrating and differentiating, trigonometry or probability theory. In addition, a mathematics teacher may be responsible for teaching applied mathematics, if we are talking about academic students at a university.
A mathematics teacher is therefore responsible for giving mathematics lessons to pupils or students. In most cases, teaching mathematics will be done step by step by deepening. Regularly taking tests is also part of the work of a mathematics teacher. The most important professional tasks of a mathematics teacher are teaching and training students, guiding students, developing subject expertise and designing learning arrangements. In addition, a mathematics teacher can be expected to contribute to the educational organization. Explaining exactly what you can do with mathematics is also an important part of the work. Mathematics plays an important role in many professions and may be mandatory within further education. Think, for example, of the professions of mathematician, statistician, engineer, researcher, econometrician or the profession of asset manager. Obviously, a mathematics teacher can have to deal with different students and therefore provide mathematics lessons at different levels.
When mathematics is used for applications in practice, calculations are usually based on already proven theorems and on the basis of mathematical models. That can be simple, for example the Pythagorean theorem in geometry. Sometimes the problem is so extensive that a (super) computer is needed to find a solution within a reasonable time. An applied example is the weather forecast in meteorology: the atmosphere is mathematically modeled using differential equations. Measured values, originating from measuring points preferably over the entire globe at different heights, determine after processing an initial state from which the future pressure, wind and humidity are calculated. A current topic in mathematics is cryptography and secret writings, which also form the basis for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Mathematics is derived from the Greek word máthèma. This word means science, knowledge or learning. Various subjects in mathematics have their origins in other sciences such as physics or astronomy.
WHAT DOES A MATHS TEACHER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A MATHS TEACHER
Those who want to work as a mathematics teacher can choose from various national training options. However, there is a big difference between a first-degree or second-degree teacher. With the first-degree mathematics course you can teach all classes at different levels. With the second-degree programme, you can teach in practical education, VMBO and lower secondary education (classes 1 to 3) of HAVO and VWO. In addition, you may teach students in vocational education and adult education (ROC). Most people are familiar with the so-called Pabo training to become a teacher. This training is now officially called "training for primary school teachers", and is a course at hbo level and can be followed both full-time and part-time. A course at the Pabo generally takes four years, depending on your previous education. There are more than forty so-called Pabo courses in the Netherlands. In exceptional cases, teacher training in primary education can also be completed more quickly. In addition, there is the possibility to teach as a lateral entrant with a higher professional education. It is important that you still get your qualification as a teacher, by following extra courses that will generally take two years. The training to become a first-degree mathematics teacher is possible in various ways. If you are already a second-degree mathematics teacher, you can automatically move on to the first-degree programme. In addition, there is the possibility to choose a direct education at hbo level or university level. There are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A MATHS TEACHER CAN WORK
As a mathematics teacher, you will in many cases work in secondary vocational education, secondary education or adult education. In primary schools, mathematics teachers also occur. In that case, we are more likely to speak of a primary school teacher. A primary school teacher should rather be regarded as an all-round teacher.
COMPETENCES MATHS TEACHER
The most important competence of a mathematics teacher is that a mathematics teacher has didactic skills. In addition, a mathematics teacher must have the necessary professional knowledge with regard to mathematics. Communication in general can also be seen as an important competence, because a mathematics teacher can have to deal with many different pupils, students and carers. In addition, motivating, inspiring and coaching can be regarded as important competencies. Generally important words are passion, energy, independence, stress resistance, predominance, flexibility, planning, organizing and controlling. Obviously, a mathematics teacher has to deal with fixed professional competencies that are all learned during the training.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A MATHS TEACHER
Finding work as a maths teacher is usually no problem at all. Whether you have the first-degree or second-degree qualification does not make much difference to the chance of employment. It is true that with the first-degree program you naturally have many more opportunities as a mathematics teacher. Most schools or educational institutions are eager for qualified teachers. Growing as a mathematics teacher should be seen in obtaining your first-degree qualification and further specializations in education. A possible additional position as a mathematics teacher may be the position of mentor. Working as a dean or as a career counsellor can also be possible, depending on the type of school where a mathematics teacher works.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY OF MATHS TEACHER
As a teacher, your employment conditions are well regulated and laid down in the collective labour agreement, in which all employment conditions are regulated. Education has various advocates who are committed to education, such as the general education union. The salary as a mathematics teacher is determined on the basis of fixed scales that are used in education. Exactly what scale someone ends up in strongly depends on the type of school and/or whether the teacher has a first-degree or second-degree qualification. But experience and years of service also play an important role in determining the salary. The salary as a mathematics teacher will usually be between 2200 and 4600 euros gross per month, depending on the type of school, diplomas, age, experience and responsibilities.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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