From the Editor’s Laptop
I joined the MCATA executive three years ago as the Art Jorgensen Chair Award recipient. Sadly, there is no recipient this year—largely due, it seems, to lack of knowledge of the existence of this award. So, math teachers, we are asking for your help in spreading the news; please tell your student teachers about this award. To help you convince them to apply, here’s a little about my experience with the award.
Truthfully, when I applied for this award I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into. Carmen Wasylynuik (MCATA’s director of awards and grants) just happened to be one of the math teachers in the high school where I was doing my practicum. She came to me one day and told me about this great award and that I really should I apply for it, because I would get so much out of it. So I read the criteria:
The recipient of this award must be enrolled in a degree program in a faculty of education in Alberta. The recipient will be selected on the basis of demonstrated academic excellence and a clear commitment to mathematics education in either
- specialization in mathematics at the secondary level;
- or a keen interest and desire to expand mathematics knowledge at the elementary level.
As a math major, this was easily me, so I applied. Lo and behold, I became the next recipient.
Then, on to learn about what I would receive:
- A one-year term on the MCATA executive, with expenses paid to attend executive meetings (as per article 3.4 of the MCATA handbook)
- A one-year membership in MCATA and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
- An invitation to attend one MCATA conference with appropriate expenses paid, subject to the approval of the executive committee (eg, substitute teacher, one night accommodation, travel and meals not included in the conference registration)
In reality, this meant being able to attend meetings of some of the top mathematical minds in the province as they dealt with current issues in mathematics education. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn what was actually going on in the mathematics world, and not just the theorizing in a post-secondary classroom. It meant access to different scholarly documents and other great resources in the form of MCATA’s own publications (this newsletter and Delta-K) as well as the resources available through the NCTM. And best of all, I could attend an amazing conference free of charge. The MCATA conference is a two-day event in which you can share in the expertise of world mathematical leaders and everyday classroom teachers. Talk about a motivational couple of days!
And the job of the winner? To represent new teachers—those just exiting or near exiting university and joining the high-speed rat race of teaching.
Please spread the word about this rewarding opportunity.
Karen Bouwman
President’s Message
Marj Farris
TERM Meeting
From the Editor’s Laptop
Karen Bouwman
Edmonton Junior High Mathematics Contest 2013
Alberta High School Mathematics Competition Winners
“Math Is …???” 2013 MCATA Conference
Teaching Mathematics to Engaged Thinkers
MCATA Grants
Executive Summary of May 2013 Meeting
Alberta Education Message
Standards Documents for Nondiploma Exam Courses
Provincial Assessment News
French Resources
