This award was established on May 8, 1984 at a meeting of the Executive Committee.

The Mathematics Council is extremely proud of Educators in Alberta.

If you know an Educator deserving of recognition, please nominate them.

In Search of Excellence

It seems to me a “crime” that so much excellence among our fellow educators and among the students whom we teach goes unrecognized and unheralded.

If we take time to stop and look about, I am sure that each of us recognizes educators and students who are making outstanding contributions to mathematics education, and who are achieving outstanding grades.

In such other areas of education as English, there seems to have been in place, for a long time, methods by which those who do outstanding work can get some of the recognition they deserve. There are many good-speaking and good-writing competitions enabling those displaying special talents to gain recognition.

Unfortunately, in the area of mathematics these opportunities are not so readily available. It is my considered opinion that, as teachers, we should do more to encourage the development of projects or tests in which our students can compete.

The Mathematics Council of The Alberta Teachers’ Association has made one significant step toward recognizing outstanding mathematics educators in the province by instituting the “Outstanding Mathematics Educator Award.” This award has been given out for the past two years. Hopefully, the availability of this award will encourage all of us to nominate fellow educators whom we consider deserving.

Governments should also be encouraged to recognize outstanding educators and students in the area of mathematics. In the U.S., for example, recognition is given even at the presidential level. Why can’t something similar be done in Canada?

Dr. Arthur Jorgensen – December 1985

Apply or Nominate for the Alberta Mathematics Educator Awards

A maximum of three (3) Alberta Mathematics Educator Awards may be conferred annually in recognition of demonstrated leadership in mathematics education in Alberta. These award(s) will be presented to the recipient(s) at the MCATA annual conference. The recipient will receive a commemorative plaque, certificate, and registration at the current annual conference. Award recipient name(s) will be published in MCATA publications.

Awards may be conferred on individuals in each of the following categories:

• Kindergarten-Grade 6 classroom teachers

• Grades 7-12 classroom teachers

• Those who have made exceptional contributions to professional development of teachers at the school, local, provincial, or national levels and who have demonstrated leadership in encouraging the continuing enhancement of teaching, learning, and understanding of mathematics in Alberta.

No more than one award will be conferred in each category and the conferring of awards will be contingent upon there being deserving recipients in each category.