You don't need a degree in math or physics, you simply need
certification and highly qualified status. I would guess that
most teachers don't have full-on subject degrees. They
typically have ed degrees with additional majors or minors in
subjects.
An engineer who converts to teach math or science is not
uncommon at all. They say STEM is a "shortage" field, and so
your job prospects should be fine assuming the job market and
economy holds up.
That said: You should think long and hard about spending a lot
of time and money pursuing a teaching degree. California,
especially Northern California (assuming you remain around
Berkeley), is very expensive for a teacher to live. You have
a degree that would allow you to earn a decent living, and I'm
going to guess you have some student loans. If you'd like to
get ahead, consider working in the field in which you already
have a degree.
That and with common core and all the data driven nonsense in
teaching, there is very little focus on teaching and students
and all the focus on paperwork and numbers. There are a lot
of people looking to leave teaching, not get into it.
On 7/05/15, Johnny wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> This is Johnny. Let me introduce myself. I graduated from
> UC Berkeley with a M.S degree in Mechanical Engineering
> in 2014. I want to be a high-school Math teacher (AP Math
> AB & BC), or possibly a AP physics teacher as well in the
> future. Currently, I am browsing through the job
> requirements on websites. There is one thing I am mainly
> concerned about. I don't have a degree of Math or
> Physics. But supposed that I got the teaching credential
> and also I had related teaching experience, could I have
> a chance to be a high-school teacher? Do those hiring
> managers only consider the candidates with Math/Physics
> degrees?
>
> Right now, I am considering whether it is worth devoting
> my time to get a credential because I don't have
> Math/Physics degrees. So based on your experience, would
> a hiring manager consider to hire someone with all the
> things ready but the degree of Math/Physics?
>
> (My academic histroy: M.S GPA 3.76 and B.S GPA 3.69,
> straight A's on Math and Physics Classes in college.
> Also, I am tutoring AP Math/Physics in two educational
> consulting firms. My ultimate goal is to be a high-school
> Math/Physics teacher in the future.)
>
> Sincerely,
> Johnny
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