FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2005

Local educators embrace mathematical diversity at NCTM annual meeting

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- Educators from the CHAMPS II Mathematics and Science Partnership in Columbus recently joined thousands of math educators from around the world to learn new concepts, strategies and teaching techniques at the National Council of Teacher of Mathematics (NCTM) 2005 annual meeting and exposition in Anaheim, Calif.

The CHAMPS II Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant is funded through the Mississippi Department of Education and targets fifth through eighth grade mathematics and science teachers from the Mississippi Delta and Columbus area schools and is housed at the Roger F. Wicker Center for Creative Learning. The Center is funded by a $1 million congressionally-directed grant through the U.S. Department of Education.

Educators who attended the meeting were Eddie Butler, Claudia Carter, Lucy Caston, Debbie Fancher, Jennifer Halfacre, Richard Holden, Ivey Ivy, Debbie Lowe, Malcolm Moore, Milton Ray, Sarah Sumners and Linda Webber-Roberts.

NCTM’s annual meeting and exposition is the largest gathering of math educators in the world. More than 1,000 sessions, workshops, hands-on computer classes and mini-courses—led by national and international education experts—were presented, with an emphasis on helping teachers strengthen skills and methods for the 21st century mathematics classroom.

“The annual meeting provides teachers at all stages of their careers with an opportunity to gain new knowledge, find out how research can improve their practice and network with colleagues from outside their schools,” said NCTM President Cathy Seeley. “Mathematics teaching today is a complex job as we strive to help every student learn challenging mathematics. To be highly qualified means that teachers must understand the mathematics they teach, but they also must understand how their students learn that mathematics and how to help each student learn.”

Seeley kicked off this year’s conference, “Embracing Mathematical Diversity.” Keynote speaker Erik Weihenmayer, who despite having lost his sight at 13 is recognized as one of the world’s most accomplished athletes, inspired attendees with his account of being the first blind climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 2001. His Everest documentary has won 12 awards and was nominated for two Emmys. He has appeared on the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” NBC’s “Today,” the “Tonight Show” and the “Nightly News with Tom Brokaw.”

Other presenters at the meeting built on the theme of embracing mathematical diversity. Sessions included a Japanese-style demonstration lesson with students from a local school, a presentation on teaching math to English language learners and a look at using popular culture in the classroom through examples from “The Simpsons.” In addition, more than 260 companies were on site to demonstrate the latest in curriculum and testing materials, student-centered manipulatives and state-of-the-art technological advances that teachers and students can use to enhance learning.

With 100,000 members and 250 Affiliates in the United States and Canada, NCTM is the world’s largest organization dedicated to improving mathematics education for all students from pre-K through grade 12. The Council’s “Principles and Standards for School Mathematics” provides guidelines for excellence in mathematics education.