Educating Teachers of Mathematics: some important challenges and promising directions

Abstract

Despite considerable variation in the processes and practices of initial preparation of teachers of mathematics and the extent and nature of support available for their continuing education and development, many fundamental challenges are shared across geographic boundaries. In this paper I draw on work that my colleagues and I are doing in the U.S to identify and discuss two foci of our work that may help others address problems and issues that appear to be endemic in mathematics teacher education around the world. The first is a focus on instructional practice as the lever for professional education of mathematics teachers; the second is a focus on the work of those who educate teachers of mathematics and on developing opportunities for them to improve their own practice. Keywords: Mathematics Education, Mathematics Teaching, Teacher Education, Teacher Professional Development