A Math Teaching working through a problem with students in class.
  • Program Type
    Major
  • Degrees Offered
    B.A., B.S.
  • School
    Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, School of Arts & Sciences

Learn in a challenging, collaborative, and supportive environment. Gain the skills and confidence to teach mathematics to students at the middle and high school levels.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll be able to explain the mathematical concepts that underlie algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus to secondary school students in diverse educational settings. You’ll use the latest technology to help students solve problems and master concepts while learning best practices in classroom management.

Gain Practical Experience

From observing professional educators in a PreK-12 setting to teaching in a secondary school math classroom under the supervision of an experienced teacher, you will apply what you have learned in real-world settings.

Prepare for the Students of Tomorrow

You’ll explore evidence-based strategies to meet the unique needs of individual learners, including inclusive course design and student-centered practices — positioning you for success in teaching our increasingly diverse population.

Position Yourself for Career Success

Our program’s combination of math theory and educational practice makes graduates highly competitive in securing teaching positions or gaining admission to graduate school. Our students also learn alongside students pursuing a major in Mathematics – gaining valuable perspective on their degree area.

Program Information

Please visit our catalog for admission requirements and a full list of our courses.

Accreditations

Associate Professor and Chair of Mathematics and Mathematics Education Dr. Bob Willenbring and students share what it’s like to study mathematics at Mary.

Careers & Outcomes

Employment Trends

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects demand for secondary school teachers to remain steady through 2029. Demand will vary by region, with strong employment opportunities available in underserved areas.

Career Paths

  • High School Mathematics Teacher
  • Middle School Mathematics Teacher
  • Tutor
  • Curriculum Designer
  • Educational Consultant

The support from faculty for the mathematics education program is unmatched. I was not just a person to them, I was a success story waiting to be written. I was cared for and given unbelievable experiences, which helped me personally and professionally. This program set me up for success, and all of the faculty and staff were cheering for me along the way.

Kate Fox, ’20

Featured Faculty

Bob Willenbring, PhD

Associate Professor of Mathematics, Director of Mathematics and Mathematics Education Programs

I have loved math and learning since a very young age. When I started college, I thought I would become an actuary, but I found that I loved combinatorics, the math of counting and looking at patterns. I greatly enjoy anything that utilizes discrete math, such as probability, computers, board games, computer games, and so on. Now the longest serving member of the math faculty, I work to continue the math program's legacy of training math teachers and professionals rooted in the Benedictine values. I am from Minnesota and my wife, Amanda, teaches high school math. We have two daughters.

Alexander Mains, MEd

Assistant Professor of Education, Director of Secondary Education

As the director of the secondary education program, I have the opportunity to work with prospective middle school and high school educators to help them grow in their skills and develop a love of learning for their future students. I work within eight different subject areas for my program, teaching various methods courses and education courses and visiting practicum schools where my future educators observe classroom teachers and practice teaching their lessons to real students.

Take Your Next Step in Mathematics Education