Exploring the effect of student-teaching on elementary student-teachers’ math anxiety

Abstract

This mini-ethnographic study investigated the role of the student-teaching experience on removing student teachers’ math anxiety. Data were collected from four elementary student teachers using semi-structured individual and group interviews during the second phase of their student-teaching period. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze data. The findings of this study showed that a productive and satisfactory student-teaching experience could remove student teachers’ math anxiety. In addition, elementary student teachers’ poor student-teaching experiences negatively affected their motivation in teaching. This study also found that the mentors’ role was a vital part of student teachers’ success. This study concludes that the teacher education department and the school district need to work collaboratively to develop every elementary teacher’s math teaching skill.