Mathematics Education: a starting point for pre-service Mathematics and Elementary School Teachers

Abstract

The purpose of this text is to provide a starting point, especially for first-year undergraduate students in Mathematics and Pedagogy, to reflect on what Mathematics Education entails. Drawing from the experiences of building my identity as a mathematics educator, I present references that I consider relevant for pre-service teachers beginning their journey toward becoming both mathematics teachers and researchers. A brief overview is provided on: who the mathematics educator is; the history of Mathematics Education in Brazil; communication in Mathematics; the Brazilian Society of Mathematics Education; History of Mathematics; the child and the number; themes encountered in Mathematics Education classes; Didactics of Mathematics; Supervised Internship; assessment; official documents that guide mathematics teaching; and the history of School Mathematics in Brazil. Mathematics Education not only gives new meaning to the lives of undergraduate students but also allows us, through Mathematics, to enable others to dream and transform their lives, especially when considering the social reality of Brazil. The objective of this essay is fulfilled as pre-service teachers reflect on and discuss their initial perceptions of Mathematics Education through this reading.