Mathematical instruction is the responsibility of a math teacher. He or she may instruct in a single or multiple areas of mathematics, such as algebra, geometry, or calculus. Teachers of mathematics can work in secondary schools or colleges. They must have a firm grasp of all mathematical concepts in the subjects they teach, as well as knowledge of the educational standards that must be met in each.
A math teacher will create lesson plans to prepare for each day’s class. A lesson plan is a blueprint for what the teacher wants to cover that day, including the concepts to be covered, how long each topic will be discussed, and problems for the students to practice. Frequently, the lesson plan will be based on the topics covered in the textbook. The level of detail in the lesson plan will almost certainly be determined the teacher’s familiarity with the material.
The math teacher must then deliver the lesson to the class after it has been developed. Depending on the material being covered and the teacher’s preference, this can be accomplished in a variety of ways. A lecture, in which the teacher does the majority of the speaking and also answers questions, may be the most appropriate format. It may be beneficial for students to read from the textbook for a portion of the lesson. A more interactive approach, in which students discuss concepts in pairs or groups, could also be used.
Typically, a math teacher will assign homework to ensure that students have understood and practiced the concepts taught during the lesson. The teacher has the option of creating his or her own homework problems or assigning problems from the textbook. He or she will set a due date for the homework, which is usually the next day. It is then the responsibility of the teacher to check it and provide feedback to the students so that they understand what they have learned and where they need to improve.
After a certain number of lessons have been taught, the teacher will usually test the class. Tests will frequently cover a wide range of topics and will require students to be familiar with the relevant theories, equations, and formulas. If it is appropriate, the math teacher may create new tests each time or re-use previous exams. After the students have completed the test, the teacher must review and grade it.