Schools will need up to 200,000 science and math teachers in the coming years, according to recent reports. This week, the Christian Science Monitor spoke with two new science teachers in Massachusetts, one of them fresh from graduate school and the other a mid-career professional. According to the report, both are teaching in poor areas where they are needed most, and both are receiving considerable support in the form of financial incentives and mentors. The newspaper noted that in at least ten states, only about half of middle school science teachers were certified. The need for these teachers is fueled by the need for engineers and other technical professions, along with a decline in general science knowledge among the U.S. public. The report also noted that President-elect Obama has offered a plan for 40,000 scholarships to lure more people to teaching careers, particularly in science and math. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that on top of a projected jump in demand for teachers in the coming years, many districts particularly have trouble finding qualified math and science teachers. Other teacher shortages exist in areas like foreign languages and bilingual education, according to the agency.  |