I had to decide prior to attending college what subject area to focus on while studying education and I debated between English and mathematics. Of course, I loved English, writing and reading, but I also enjoyed mathematics. I did eventually choose mathematics and ended up earning nearly thirty credits in this area. It wasn't easy. It is a subject that demands much effort and application, but in the end I think it was a smart decision.
I think for many, the problem with choosing math as a focal point is that many people coming out of high school have had bad experiences with mathematics and mostly because of how it is taught in K-12 schools, as a dead field. Because we don't have people excited about mathematics ready to study it for the purpose of teaching it the cycle continues. Of course, pure mathematicians would laugh at the thought of teaching mathematics or writing mathematics textbooks, but surely there must be a core group of enthusiastic teachers who want to make mathematics their course of study. There has to be, or the progressive mathematics movement is doomed. So why consider mathematics as a minor while taking education courses?
The first reason is for the higher demand for mathematics teachers. If a teacher is able to come out of school certified to teach mathematics they are opening up doors for themselves that may not be open to their peers with non-mathematics certifications or minors. Mathematics and Science are fields in heavy demand, or at least heavier demand.
Secondly, we need more people willing and able to examine mathematics pedagogy in order to be part of the solution of how mathematics instruction needs to change to a more progressive style. The NCTM has set new progressive standards for the teaching of mathematics and there are a large number of teachers who are not able to rise to the challenge of teaching to these new standards mostly because mathematics for many becomes that dreaded subject each day that has to be dealt with.
Third, mathematics is one of those subjects that many teachers who steer away from it find difficulty in teaching even at a basic level. I never cared for history as it was taught to me and so never considered pursuing it as a minor course of study, but in the end all I needed to do was some reading and creative planning to bring Social Studies to life at the elementary level. Mathematics is different in that it's a subject a teacher needs to know well and understand in order to teach it the way it needs to be taught. Math needs to be understood even at its most basic level. It's not enough for teachers to familiarize themselves with procedure and demonstrate that to children. Teachers have to have a deep understanding of mathematics in order to be a good teacher of mathematics.
It may be scary, but consider tackling the mathematics field with your education degree, and do it because you don't want mathematics to be that subject in the day that you dread having to teach.
