Mathematics Anxiety: One Size Does Not Fit All

• In Event: 16.052 - Experiences of Female Teachers, Principals, and Superintendents: Challenges and Successes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the experiences of mathematics anxieties in women elementary preservice teachers (PST) while learning mathematics as K-12 students and while learning to teach mathematics. Examining the narratives written by PSTs revealed that mathematics anxiety may be an issue or concern that remains consistent and/or recurs for decades. The multiple stories told by the participants indicated their experiences in learning mathematics led them to develop unique coping strategies for mathematics anxiety that was utilized repeatedly across their experiences as students learning mathematics and while learning to teach mathematics. An implication of this work is how mathematics teacher educators may address the issue of mathematics anxiety in women elementary PSTs.

Author

• Kathleen Jablon Stoehr, Santa Clara University