Professional Preparation and Growth in Secondary School Mathematics

Abstract

However Inadequate one finds his undergraduate preparation in mathematics, once he is settled in the work of teaching secondary school mathematics, there is little excuse for his failure to pursue some very definite plan for professional growth. It is true, one can fulfill the conditions of his contract, he can acquire even a sort of proficiency, as an instructor, drawing solely from the fund of information and training of his college days, coupled with his gradually acquired experience. This same instructor, after he has developed a genuine enthusiasm in his subject, a constant watchfulness for allied interests, associations and contacts, after he has pursued some externally directed or self directed study of some branch of mathematics for several years, he rapidly becomes a very valuable member of a department of mathematics.