Association of Teachers of Mathematics

Association of Teachers of Mathematics
Abbreviation	ATM
Formation	1950
Legal status	Non-profit organisation and registered charity
Purpose	Promote mathematics education in UK schools
Location	Unit 7 Prime Industrial Park, Shaftesbury Street, Derby, DE23 8YB;
Region served	UK
Membership	4,000 maths teachers
Senior Administrative Officer	Kerry Belcher
Main organ	ATM General Council
Website	www.atm.org.uk

The Association of Teachers of Mathematics (ATM) was established by Caleb Gattegno in 1950 to encourage the development of mathematics education to be more closely related to the needs of the learner. ATM is a membership organisation representing a community of students, nursery, infant, primary, secondary and tertiary teachers, numeracy consultants, overseas teachers, academics and anybody interested in mathematics education.

Aims

The stated aims of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics are to support the teaching and learning of mathematics by:

encouraging increased understanding and enjoyment of mathematics
encouraging increased understanding of how people learn mathematics
encouraging the sharing and evaluation of teaching and learning strategies and practices
promoting the exploration of new ideas and possibilities
initiating and contributing to discussion of and developments in mathematics education at all levels

Guiding principles

ATM lists as its guiding principles:

The ability to operate mathematically is an aspect of human functioning which is as universal as language itself. Attention needs constantly to be drawn to this fact. Any possibility of intimidating with mathematical expertise is to be avoided.
The power to learn rests with the learner. Teaching has a subordinate role. The teacher has a duty to seek out ways to engage the power of the learner.
It is important to examine critically approaches to teaching and to explore new possibilities, whether deriving from research, from technological developments or from the imaginative and insightful ideas of others.
Teaching and learning are cooperative activities. Encouraging a questioning approach and giving due attention to the ideas of others are attitudes to be encouraged. Influence is best sought by building networks of contacts in professional circles.

Structure

There are about 4000 members, mainly teachers in primary and secondary schools. It is a registered charity and all profits from subscriptions and trading are re-invested. Its head office is located in the south of Derby, next to the west side of the Cross Country Route.

Branches

It has local branches in

Avon
Bath
Birmingham
Camborne
Durham
East Manchester
East Midlands
Greater Manchester
Lincoln
London
Marches
Meridian
North Cumbria
Sheffield

Publications

ATM publishes Mathematics Teaching, a non-refereed journal with articles of interest to the ATM membership. The journal is sent to all registered members.

References

External links

News items

[1] Association of Mathematics Education Teachers

[2] NAMA

[1]

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