Elementary Mathematics Teachers’ Professional Development: Mathematics Coaching

Abstract

In this study, mathematics coaching which is one of the alternative professional development programs was discussed. The aim of the study is to examine the opinions of teachers who participate in the mathematics coaching professional development program on mathematics coaching. Teachers who participated in the study indicated that mathematics coaching had made a positive contribution to their professional development. Teachers stated that mathematics coaching had provided an advantage for them, especially in raising teacher knowledge, improving their educational practices, increasing student achievement, providing support and cooperation, providing reflective feedback and building selfconfidence. In addition, they expressed that focusing on the process and bringing together the theory and practice are among the differences between mathematics coaching and other professional development
programs. When the advantages and differences of mathematics coaching according to the teachers' opinions are taken into consideration, it is suggested that the mathematics coaching is widely used in Turkey.