Thirty-Four Years and Counting – The History of the Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association
Editors Joan Worth and Art Jorgensen
1995
Publication of the Mathematics Council of The Alberta Teachers’ Association
Foreword
FOR THE EDITORS, WORKING ON THIS SPECIAL HISTORICAL JOURNAL has been a “labor of love” as well as a fascinating trip down memory lane – between us we have served-31 years on the Mathematics Council of The Alberta Teachers’ Association (MCATA) executive.
Preparing this issue has taken us much longer than we anticipated-many , personal’ recollections were sent _to us in 1993. What was particularly difficult and time-consuming was gleaning information from scattered bits
and pieces of old MCATA files, and searching our own memories and those of our colleagues to fill the gaps in the written records. [We have some recommendations for the current executive regarding record keeping that might be started now, which would make the next issue – Fifty Years and Still Counting(?) – easier to put together.]
We, focused on a mixture of. personal recollections and the usual dates and events expected in a conventional history, partly because of the gaps in information available, bµt mostly because MCATA’s history is really a story about people.
One thing we have realized is that MCATA’s success and strength over the years have been a direct result of the caliber and commitment of the people who served on the executive and of those who took on special projects or wrote for the various publications. Although these people were mainly busy teachers,’ they devoted countless hours to MCATA. You might ask, “Why did they do it?” The rewards seem to have been a belief that their efforts would contribute_ to better mathematics learning for Alberta students, a personal sense of professional growth and, not least of all, a lot of fun!
So we dedicate this firs,t history of MCATA to all those who have served the Math Council over the past 34 years. Your efforts have been successful – MCATA is one of the leading mathematics ‘teachers’ organizations in North America. MCATA publications, because o( the hard work of ,the various editors, have gained international recognition. We hope that recording the achievements of this lighthouse organization will challenge future executives and members-at-large to keep the Ma them.a tics Council of The Alberta Teachers’ Association a major force in mathematics education in Alberta.
The editors of this· special historical journal thank all those who submitted articles related to their own experiences with MCATA or reported on a particular historical· area of interest.
We’d like to thank the many people at Barnett House who helped our idea come to life. A special thanks to Publications staff Lisa Pashniak, Kate Ballash, Penny Harter and Heather Parker, Designer Yuet Chan and Archivist Lisa Maltby. They tack.l.ed the difficult and challenging project with enthusiasm and dedication. Without their expertise and guidance, this special publication would have been impossible.
We hope you enjoy reading this historical document as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
Joan Worth and Art Jorgensen
Editorial: Thirty-four Years of History
On executive for 19 years-the longest serving member!
1975-83 Secretary
1983-86 Newsletter and Journal Editor
1987-88 Vice President, NCTM Representative
1988-95 Newsletter Editor
AND WE HAVE ONLY JUST BEGUN.
The Mathematics Council of The Alberta Teachers’ Association had a noble beginning in ·1961. Since that time, it has undergone many changes in, terms of membership and in the activities it has promoted or participated in.
Annual conferences have been a highlight of the Council, being held throughout the province from Edmonton to Medicine Hat. Numerous mini conferences have also been held in communities large and small.
MCATA has always had just cause to be proud of its publications. delta-K has been published regularly since 1971, under the editorship of such capable people as Ed Carriger and·John Percevault to name just two. Monographs, such as Problem Solving in the Mathematics Classroom, have gained international status.
The Council has always had two concerns, namely, increasing membership, which has ranged from 500 to 1,000, and providing those members with desired services. With close to 15,000 mathematics teachers in Alberta, our goal is to have at least 10 percent of them as members. Therefore, we ask that each current member attempt to sign up an additional teacher.
With regard to service, please let us know what else the Council can do for you. Also, your executive members are all hardworking teachers who are volunteering their time; therefore, they are always looking for help from members-at-large.
As we look forward to the next 30 years, what will MCATA’.s future be? Will it grow and prosper and continue to be a voice to be heard, or will it wither and die? It is really up to the members. To day’s executive members, like those of past years, will do their best. Then they will move on and pass the torch to you. Personally, I have a great deal of confidence in our members and believe that MC.A.TA has a bright future. Let’s make it so.
Art Jorgensen
1 – 2
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Joan Worth and Art Jorgensen
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Art Jorgensen
5 – 6
Halvar Jonson, Bauni Mackay, Jack Price, Wendy J. Richards
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Provincial Executive Members 1961 – 62 & Provincial Presidents
8 – 9
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The Alberta Teachers’ Association Develops Specialist Councils
12 – 13
MCATA’s Formation and Inaugural Conference
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Timeless Editorial – A Matter of Survival
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Other Publications – The Annual & Monographs
44 – 45
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A Math Supervisor’s Philosophy
Barbara Morrison
48 – 49
Pictures – Looking Back – Personal Reflections
50
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In Memorium – Don Hinde & Norman Inglis
70 – 71