From the President’s Pen
This report was originally presented as an address at the MCATA annual general meeting, October 22, 1999.
It has been a pleasure to serve as MCAT A president during the last school year. The annual conference in Calgary in October 1998, the two Mathematics Leaders symposia, the publication of delta-Kand the Mathematics Council Newsletter, and our Website
(www.maihteachers.ab.ca) were the main services and activities to members. MCAT A continues to support the Calgary Junior High Math Contest, the Mathematics Education Trust, and teaching/learning materials
through our NCTM liaison.
The executive met four times during the 1998-99 year. We established and worked on goals that we felt were imperative for the Council’s successful operation. The Jasper conference is the first planned by our newly formed conference committee with representation from across the province. Klaus Puhlmann from Edson, conference coordinator; Sandra Unrau and I from
Calgary, program; Elaine Manzer from Peace River, publicity and finances; and Daryl Chichak from Edmonton, registration; worked hard to make this
conference a success: A direct result of our NCTM regional, held in Calgary last year, has been the new pricing structure for Canadian NCTM members, as well as the reorganization of NCTM conference planning involving affiliated groups. In addition, the passing of our metric resolution at the NCTM annual delegate assembly in San Francisco, presented by Klaus
Puhlmann, was a wonderful success.
The opportunity to work with such a dedicated group of professionals has been personally rewarding. A number of individuals have been influential in the Council’s success over the past year. My personal thanks to Dave Jeary, AT A staff advisor, who has provided needed direction and guidance when requested. Donna Chanasyk, secretary, and Doug Weisbeck, treasurer, continue to be totally committed to . positions that offer very little in terms of profile, but without their work and dedication the workings of the Mathematics Council would grind to a halt.
Vice presidents and directors responsible for assi nts from professional development, publicity, publications, and the NCTM include Gerri Lorway,
Betty Morris, Rick Johnson, Elaine Manzer, Lorraine Taylor, Sandra Unrau, Graham Keogh and Bob Michie. They have given unselfishly of their time and talents and are true professionals in every sense. Our publication editors, Art Jorgensen and Klaus Puhlmann, have provided internationally recognized publications. Our Webmaster, Dick Pawloff, continues to forge ahead and bring us all into the 21st century.
Our conference chair, Klaus Puhlmann, has seen his vis-ion of our mathematics conference set in the magnificent Canadian Rockies became a reality. Klaus continues to demonstrate his ongoing dedication to the professional development of our colleagues. Sandra Unrau’s contribution to !::.:11e program has been second to none. Her expertise, commitment and gentle spirit can be felt throughout this conference. Preparations are
already under way for the Red Deer conference, and I know that with Graham Keogh’s leadership, it too will be a success. Additional representatives and advisors, Dale Burnett, Norbert Sauer and Carol Henderson, PEC liaison, have contributed valuable input and guidance in our work over the past year. George Ditto, MCATA’s longest standing past-president deserves special thanks. George, you are always there whenever any of us need advice, a sense of the past or a vision for the future. I am please to see that Florence Glanfield, past president, whom we lost to Saskatoon, is able to be with us during this conference. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to keep us on track.
Executive members attended numerous conferences during the year. From the NCTM annual conference to the Technology Conference, Mathematics Curriculum Circle, Leadership Conference, Mathematics Symposium, AT A Annual Representative Assembly and Summer Conference, MCATA’s voice could be heard. Thanks to all the executive members who gave up, in many cases, valuable holiday time to attend these conferences on behalf of the Council.
In closing, I wish to thank all MCATA members and the MCATA executive. Our mandate-to provide leadership to encourage the continuing enhancement of teaching, learning and understanding mathematics-is a formidable one. We can all be proud of what has been accomplished and anxiously look forward to what still has to be done.
Cynthia Ballheim
From the President’s Pen
Cynthia Ballheim
Red Deer Conference Update
Graham Keogh
Jasper Math Conference
Elaine Manzer
CNS Esso Regional Math Camp
Bill Sands
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