Math for Elementary Certification (BS)

In a world that’s becoming increasingly complex, where success is driven not only by what you know, but by what you can do with what you know, it’s more important than ever for our youth to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information. These are the types of skills that students learn by studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—subjects collectively known as STEM. There is an inadequate number of teachers pursuing degrees in these fields and this makes a degree in mathematics highly sought after by school districts.

Offering skills in modern mathematics and computation, a teaching degree in Mathematics develops your knowledge of investigative teaching techniques, curriculum planning, effective student communication and more to prepare you for a career in classroom instruction. Pursuing a mathematics education degree allows you to study mathematics and pedagogy under the guidance of professional mathematics and education faculty who will support your goals to becoming a successful teacher by working together to ensure the program equips all students with the knowledge they need to become highly effective mathematics teachers.

Through a combination of courses in mathematics, technology, and methods, you will learn how to transform mathematics content into teachable material for K-12 students. A supervised field teaching experience will help prepare you for a career as a classroom mathematics teacher. The University’s Math Club, as well as the Society for Future Teachers, provides additional opportunities for academic and professional growth through interaction with professors and classmates.

Viollca Sumbulla graduated from Madonna University with a minor in Elementary Education and a major in Mathematics. She said: “I was supported by well-prepared and caring professors who always took their time to get to know every single student.”

“Madonna degree has helped me to use Positive Behavior Support to students in crisis in my caseload, so they can reach their full potential. Also, the teaching education has played a role in full understanding of common core and students data, which will result in implementation of student-centered lessons."

Amber Kirvan is a mathematics teacher at Livonia Ladywood High School. She was hired immediately out of student teaching “thanks to Dr. Karen Obsniuk’s high recommendation and because the school felt that teachers from Madonna are well prepared.”

“Having to align lesson plans to state standards in all of my classes (at Madonna) was hugely beneficial because all teachers at my school, including myself, had to go through each standard pertaining to our subject matter and align each of our course’s curriculums,” Kirvan said.