Primary Teachers' Mathematical Self-Concept and Its Relationship with Classroom Practice

Mathematical self-concept refers to the perceived ability that one has in being able to do mathematics. While it has been shown to be a significant predictor for how students learn and apply mathematics, little research has been conducted into the relationship between the mathematical self-concept of teachers and their pedagogical practices in the mathematics classroom. This paper reports on a section of the findings from a small mixed methods study that sought to ascertain the nature of primary teachers' mathematical self-concept and how it is related to their teaching practices. Findings suggest that a teachers' mathematical self-concept does not necessarily reflect the mathematics practices evident in their classroom.