ABSTRACT
Chapter 13 examines how a mathematics teacher functions in the context of a larger community made up of other teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, parents, and community members. This chapter begins with a discussion of how mathematics teachers can most effectively work with parents of their students in a unified effort to provide quality educational experiences. Specific tips are provided for teachers to work with parents and other caregivers. Then, the process of how mathematics teachers are supervised and evaluated is described. Standards established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics are used as a framework to outline the continuous improvement of mathematics teaching, including the type of data that need to be collected for an accurate assessment of performance. The mathematics teacher’s role within a department is examined, discussing how to work with colleagues. A section on ongoing professional development is featured, making a case for why in-service education is important and illustrating specific opportunities available to teachers for their continuous improvement. Finally, the chapter describes how to establish a professional development plan so that each teacher is able to target individual needs for ongoing professional growth.
