President's Message - June 2014

What a Great Year!

As I finish my term as President of our organization, I reflect on this school year. Mathematics education is definitely a provincial focus. This is not a surprise to any of us who care about mathematics, education, and mathematics education. We learned of the PISA results in the Fall, and news reporters wondered what was happening in classrooms in Canada (www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/ canadas-fall-in-math-education-ranking-sets-off-redflags/ article15730663/). But we also celebrated the PISA results because our Canadian students responded positively to the survey questions about their attitudes toward school. Our students generally like going to school. President-Elect Paul Alves spoke on our behalf on the CBC Radio show, The Current (www.cbc.ca/the current/episode/2013/12/04/is-canada-failing-thegrade- at-math/), where he tried to convey not only his passion for mathematics education, but the vision of our organization. The Minister of Education released a statement in January regarding additional supports and funding that would provide more opportunities for educators to improve their mathematics instruction practices (http://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/ 2014/01/newmath- supports-and-resources-for-the-classroom. html). Many faculties of education and professional organizations are offering Mathematics Additional Qualifications courses at reduced rates due to the grants made available by the Ministry of Education. Math education still continues to be on the minds of teachers as we wait for our curriculum refresh.

This year has also been filled with positive opportunities to learn with and from each other. Chapter miniconferences, the Leadership Conference, and the Annual Conference provided lots of occasions for sharing our learning and gaining new knowledge. Did you get a chance to learn something new this year? Have you considered ways to share your new learning - maybe writing an article for the Gazette, or presenting a session at OAME 2015? Being reflective on what we have learned, why we have learned it, and what we are going to do next will help ensure that OAME continues to have a voice in making a difference for students and educators across the province.

We find ourselves, as math educators, in very political times. As an organization, all members are asked to look to our mission statement to remind us that we promote excellence in mathematics education throughout the Province of Ontario. We work for excellence for students by striving for a curriculum that will prepare them to meet the mathematical challenges in their lives, by fostering familiarity with the methods of mathematics and an admiration for its principles, and by giving recognition and respect to their own mathematical achievements. We work for excellence for educators by promoting their role as facilitators and resource persons, by supporting a variety of teaching methods to meet the varied learning styles and needs of students, by encouraging their students to gain facility in learning both co-operation and independence, and by celebrating the mathematical excellence of both individuals and groups.

As I think back to the previous President`s Message columns, I wonder:

How did you get involved in OAME this year?

How will you be a teacher-leader next year?

Will you become a mentor to a beginning teacher or teacher candidate soon?

Will you integrate blended learning and twenty-firstcentury fluencies into your classroom?, and

How will you continue promoting excellence in mathematics education?

I would like to take this opportunity to convey a special thank you to those of you who have been there for me and for OAME this year:

Executive Directors - Fred and Lynda Ferneyhough - Thank you for your commitment to our organization and your guidance throughout my term. I could not have done it without you.

Past President - Cathy Hall - Thank you for your advice, your sense of humour, and your dedication to our organization. I would like to think of you as a copresident, not just a past president.

Vice-Presidents - Bill Otto, Tim Sibbald - Thank you for helping me make sense of the often competing interests and to stay true to the vision of OAME.

President-Elect, Paul Alves - Thank you for your devotion to mathematics education in the twenty-first century. I look forward to learning with you next year and supporting your vision for OAME.

OAME Directors and Chapter Reps - Thank you for giving of your time and talents. Your work throughout the past year is a testament to your commitment to OAME and to all of our members.

OAME Webmaster - Greg Clarke - Thank you for your many hours in making sure we have an online presence, and to you and Kathy Pilon, for your MCIS support.

The Executive and/or Council of our 15 regional chapters - CHAMP, COMA, GOLDEN, GVMA, ISOMA, MAC2, NOMA, NWOAME, PRMA, QSLMA, SAME SWOAME, TEAMS, WOMA, Y4MA - Thank you for all the time you spend working on behalf of your chapter members and for providing valuable learning opportunities for them.

Editor of the Gazette - Immaculate Kizito Namukasa - Thank you to you and your team, including Abacus Editors, Kathy Kybota-Zarivnij and Mary Lou Kestell, for publishing this respected resource for all math educators.

MAC2 - Thank you for hosting OMO this year. This event is always an important one, and all of the Grades 7 and 8 students around the province benefit from participating in it.

CHAMP - Thank you for `OAME 2014: CHAMPions 4 Change.` This conference was one of the best attended ever. I would like to thank Co-Chairs Dwight Stead and Paul Alves and their organizing committee, student volunteers, sponsors, and presenters for making this event accessible to so many people, both face-to-face and virtually.

All OAME members - Thank you for your commitment to OAME. YOU are the reason why OAME is recognized as one of the most dynamic and relevant professional organizations.

It has been an honour and a privilege to be the President of OAME. I look forward to continuing this journey as Past-President.

All the best for a restful and rejuvenating summer,
Sonia Ellison
OAME President
2013-2014

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