Subject professional association activity: What can it offer teachers of mathematics and their students?

Professional association activity is commonly regarded as a professional 'good', yet there remains little systematic evidence of its impact. This paper reports on a small study that asked English teachers of mathematics participating in such activity what contribution they believe it makes to the development of their knowledge, skills and affect, and how that then impacts on their students. Participants claimed a range of significant and pervasive benefits, many of which are distinctive to this form of professional development. These include a renewed commitment to their role as teachers of mathematics, refreshment and inspiration, and a deep and lasting impact on both their own learning and that of their students.