Shouldn't teachers have a degree in what they teach rather than just a teaching degree?

Question

One person make the comment that a teaching degree is one of the easiest degrees to get in college. The teachers are taught how to teach. But then when they come to the subject they teach, they do not know it. Shouldn't teachers in math have a math degree? Teachers in science have a science degree? Biology? History? Art? Should we even let teachers who only have a teaching degree anywhere near our kids?

Answer 1

You are right! Teachers need to get a degree in the subject they teach. Years ago a Teacher's Degree meant that the teacher knew a lot of things about everything. They then would start to specialize in the subject that they taught.

We need to start demanding that our colleges and universities start teaching our teachers correctly. That means first two years teach them how to teach, second two years teach them about the subject they elect to teach.

Too many teachers are in our schools with little to no knowledge of the subject matter they are suppose to be teaching. Teachers who don't even like to teach are in our classrooms waiting to retire. They cannot be removed because of tenure. The Teachers Union would keep our children ignorant all for the sake of a job for one of their members.

Answer 2

It seems to depend on the credential requirements of the state. some states require that you have a degree in the subject that you teach. Others just that you demonstrate some knowledge of the subject which usually means some coursework. (I'm assuming that you're only talking about middle and high schools since you need a multi-subject credential to teach) If the teacher is good, i say let them teach even if they don't necessarily have a degree. One of the best math teachers I ever had was an english major. Teaching depends less on a mastery of the subject (although that certainly helps) than on good communications with and respect of the students.

Answer 3

What makes you think that people with other degrees want to be anywhere near your kids? Teaching is a low-paid, thankless job where your every move is scrutinized by people who don't want your job and want you to do a big part of THEIR job as well.

Few school districts can afford to hire people who only teach one thing. Sure, by the time you get to high school it is a little more common- but most of those teachers HAVE taken a lot of classes in their specialty area.

You cannot become a science, math, or art teacher if you 'don't know it- you have to get an endorsement in that field to get hired in most school districts.

We need to fix education in the US, but the educational standard of the teachers is not necessarily the way to do it.

Answer 4

No, a teacher is a teacher. I have changed from science to computing and I feel I am doing just as well. If you can teach, you can teach. If you have a degree in a subject, you know that subject but that doesn't mean you can teach.

Answer 5

Yes, teachers definitely need to have a wide knowledge of subject matters and methodologies rather than a mere teaching degree.That is, they need to pursue training in special fields of education.

It is therefore vital that teachers pursue degrees in a specific field so that the delivery of education would not be compromised. I totally believe that secondary and primary educators should be aufait with the subject's(s') curriculum. Knowing just how to teach is very much insufficient. Hence, I am advocating that teachers pursue degrees in areas of education that would enhance the teaching/learning process.

In some cases teachers with teaching degrees can deliver but it is much better when specially trained teachers are given the task of transmitting education. Also, one can be reasonably certain that quality education would be delivered. This is the foremost purpose of the education system-delivering quality education.

Answer 6

No, people w/o a specialized degree shouldn't be teaching...however, in order to teach a specific subject, teachers ARE required to have their degree in that area. Elementary teachers have their degree in Preschool-4th grade and have to master classes in every subject matter. Any level above 4th grade, the teachers pick a specialty area: math/science, social studies/language arts.

Answer 7

Typically teachers of 7th - 12th grades do have a teaching degree in their subject. They graduate with a teaching degree, but also specialized in a certain subject such as math.

Something a teacher might to hired to fill a position when there are no qualified candidates available, but if that teacher wants to stay in that position, they will need to go back to school and take classes toward that subject.

Answer 8

It'd certainly be nice, wouldn't it? The problem is that these days, schools/educational departments have to get by with the teachers they actually have, as opposed to the teachers they dream about. On the whole, they're lucky to have a balanced faculty, although there are areas where this is not a given. There are ways to handle this problem, but I've observed over the years that certain bureaucratic entities are slow to embrace these ways; that's when parents become registered voters and try to shove such bureaucrats out and replace them with competent officials. It's worth a try, at any rate.

Answer 9

In Britain you can either get a teaching degree, or do a degree in whichever subject and then do a one-year Postgraduate teaching course to qualify you.

Answer 10

i spent most of my whole life trying to save people who have been educated by people who were the best at getting the job~but were @ssholes of educting and creating the underachiever that is so well used as a mole and is really not legal but they have created lock~step~merthodologies from it and profile all who do not recognize the regulators at work out there, they are on the top~down programs of big brothers garbage or their own twisted minds but few understand the delimma of changing books everyyear to deslodge education from knowledges it's own manipulating financed stratiges-in other words u are commiting a violation of trust to betray them by shooting your self in the foot, we wanted to get 500 acres forty years ago to escape tday and where u are~if your really teach then they will love u because they want to go absentee and get away from it all, and if you get educated by what u are learning about it you will be sent out to the pastures as to old to do what your told anymore~i wanted to run for the presidency just becaUSE THERE IS ENOUGH NEW SMART PEOPLE TO C THAT WE ARE SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET ONCE YOU CAN C THROUGH THEIR FLAWS~BUT THE SYSTEM IS TO EXPENSIVE TO CHANGE AND HAS NO WHERE TO INTERJECTED ANY OF IT WITH OUT FACING THE FLAWS OF ALL OF IT~THEY ARE AFRAID OF THE DARK AGES RETURNING BECAUSE OF LACK OF KNOWLEDGE JUST LIKE BUSH CAN'T WIN A WAR~THE WAR IS THE FLAWS OF ALL WHO USE THINK TANK MENTALITY~I JUST ISN'T IN NATIONAL GUARD AIR TRAINING GAMES ~ IT COMES FROM REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL GUTS TO DO EVERYTHING RIGHT~AND I DON'T WANT TO GET OFF ON A RANT ~LOL