Teachers Self-Efficacy

By Cole Jansen

Self-Efficacy: An individual’s beliefs in their ability

to perform well in a task or achieve a specific goal.

Teacher Self Efficacy: Teacher’s beliefs that they

can handle the task of educating and caring for their students.

Why it’s important:

● Improves job satisfaction
● Reduces teacher burnout
● Shown to improve student achievement
● Improves student-teacher interactions and student-student interactions

Effect on Math:
The Article did a study on the effect of teacher self-efficacy related to math teaching
where they studied around 6,000 students and 450 teachers. It found that there was a reasonable
correlation to an increase in math scores with an improved teacher self-efficacy, but they also
stated they needed more research and studies to support their model.

Ways to increase teacher efficacy:

● Observation of other teachers and what strategies are effective for them.
● Support from parents and schools.
● Staying up to date with content knowledge and teacher strategies.
● Setting realistic goals for you and your students.
● Understanding that student achievement is affected by many factors, not just teachers.
Further Reading:

● Coladarci, T. (1992). Teachers’ sense of efficacy and commitment to teaching. Journal of

Experimental Education, 60(4), 323-337.

● Poulou, M. (2007). Personal teaching efficacy and its sources: Student teachers’
perceptions.

● Educational Psychology, 27(2), 191-218. doi: 10.1080/01443410601066693

● Zee, M., & Koomen, M. Y. (2016). Teacher self-efficacy and its effects on classroom
processes, student academic adjustment, and teacher well-being: A synthesis of 40 years
of research. Review of Educational Research, 86(4), 981-1015. doi:
10.3102/0034654315626801
Articles:

Perera, Harsha N, and Jennifer E John. “Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs for Teaching Math:
Relations with Teacher and Student Outcomes.” WMU Login,
https://doi-org.libproxy.library.wmich.edu/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101842.
PREPARED FOR THE EDUCATION HUB BYHelen WithyHelen Withy is a trained primary
school teacher and recently has completed a Master of Education degree with First Class
Honours, et al. “Strategies for Developing and Maintaining Self-Efficacy in Teachers.”
THE EDUCATION HUB, 22 Mar. 2020,
https://theeducationhub.org.nz/strategies-for-developing-and-maintaining-self-efficacy-in-t
eachers/.