I can’t choose my major!!!!!?

Here’s what I did: I got my degree in secondary English, a minor in theater, and then took the Praxis tests in Spanish. In NC, for example, if you get full certification in one, it’s just a matter of passing the right tests to add on certification in the others.

Both math and Spanish are highly sought-after, at least around here. I, personally, would go for the math degree, with about the equivalent of a Spanish minor, I was able to become “highly qualified” in Spanish. (Plus the powers that be tend to be less picky about elective courses.) Also, I think it’s easier to continue pursuing Spanish fruitfully on your own, just by keeping up with reading, and a minor would be plenty to get you on the right track to keep going, I’d think.

EDIT: It is patently untrue that math teachers get paid more, in public schools at least. Teachers are typically paid based on years of experience and attainment of advanced degrees and/or National Board certification.

Michigan requires initial certification in two subjects. Can’t you get certified in both?

As far as job security goes, I would pick math as #1, and Spanish as #2. And I’m a language teacher myself, so you might ask yourself why.

You are more marketable to a district if you can teach both a core class and an elective. Plus, there’s usually more math positions than Spanish positions out there, so it might be easier in a tight market.

The way I am, I’m certified in three small areas (German, Music Ed, and ESL). Most of these positions are singleton jobs, or require travel between buildings. I’m very *lucky* to have a full-time job in one building. Seriously. If I had a core certificate, I’d have less stress every spring, wondering about my enrollment, and if I’m still going to be FT. If I could go back and do my undergraduate again, I would get an endorsement in a core.

Once you get your basic credential, you can add on to it easily. Because you get a credential in one area does not mean you have to spend your career in that subject, you can do the work to change it later.. its really not that much.

My credential is in biology. I decided 5 years ago I wanted to teach math. I had many options.. my state offers a supplemental authorization which was only 12 semester units in math needed. I wanted to be highly qualified, so I took enough units that would be considered a minor. I did not have to apply to a college to do this, there are plenty of alternative programs where schools offer the credits as seperate from their post doc credentialing system. I took my mathematics courses through UCLA and Cal State Los Angeles.

You can also take whichever praxis tests you want to. I took the Health test at the time and immediatley got my health credentail along with my biology credential.

Many options.. you really need to look closely at your schools credentialing system, and go to your states web site to see your options.

Go for math, you’ll make more money. Then when you decide you want to switch over to teaching spanish start working on the requirements for that one. Theres no reason to pick one over the other you can have both. Just start with math since those teachers get paid more.

Spanish is NOT a language that successful industrialized nations use for trading goods and services.

Math is the common language of the globe.

Go with the math. Your students won’t be so annoyed with you when you can’t spell.