At its spring executive meeting in May, the MCATA executive discussed the challenges and opportunities the council faces in connecting with members under the current and evolving pandemic conditions.
We discussed the council’s use of social media platforms, as well as our newly designed website (www .mathteachers.ab.ca). Thank you to Amanda Schulz, Darcy House and Robert Wong for their commitment to the website’s evolution. We continue to add content, such as information about our contest to design a new MCATA logo; digital issues of our journal, delta-K; and information about council positions, conferences, symposia, awards and resources. Webinars were also noted as an effective means to engage and connect teachers and to share mathematics ideas, with support and expertise from the ATA.
MCATA has committed to engaging with members and promoting mathematics education through the following activities:
- Offering speakers for events
- Digitizing delta-K for ease of access and searchability
- Encouraging members to share their expertise and research through writing and presenting
- Hosting high-quality conferences
- Offering symposia throughout the province
- Promoting a progressive and balanced view of and a passion for mathematics
- Updating the website as a hub for mathematics writing, resources and news
- Providing weekly posts on mathematics topics
- Increasing awareness of MCATA’s mathematics education awards
- Encouraging teachers and students to enter our new logo contest
Darcy House is developing an interim position paper on the use of appropriate secured technology in provincial assessment programs to present to the government.
Last, MCATA acknowledges the dedication and commitment of several members. A special thank you to Robert Wong for his 20 years of service. He, Tancy Whitehouse and Alicia Burdess have been awarded the Friends of MCATA designation. With these three members recently resigning their positions, Rod Lowry was appointed to past president, Carmen Wasylynuik to vice-president (professional development), Stacey Wu to vice-president (publications) and Amanda Schulz to web technician. The positions of newsletter editor and director of awards and grants are now vacant.
Barbara O’Connor
Secretary
