Connecting Research to Teaching: Professional Communities: Teachers Supporting Teachers

Abstract

In the past decade, numerous projects aimed at improving the teaching and learning of mathematics have been developed. One theme that has repeatedly emerged from these and other reform efforts is the importance of a strong professional community for helping teachers implement reform. When teachers are active participants in a professional community of their peers, they gain important knowledge and psychological support. In addition, when teachers' efforts are guided by their professional community, reform is more widespread and long lasting.