President's Message - June 2026

OAME Summer Message

As June arrives and another school year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the familiar rhythm of teaching, with the cycle of beginnings, growth, challenge, and renewal that shapes our work . This year, that rhythm feels especially poignant . At the end of August 2026, I will complete my term as President of OAME/AOEM, a role that has been both an honour and a profound learning experience . These past two years have been filled with anticipation, collaboration, reflection, and the pleasure that comes from participating in shared vision and purpose .

When I stepped into this role, I carried a deep appreciation for the organization that shaped me as an educator from my earliest days . What I could not have anticipated was how much I would continue to learn from the collective wisdom, generosity, and passion of mathematics educators across Ontario . Our mission to promote, support, and advocate for excellence in mathematics education has always been more than a statement . It is a living commitment, one that comes to life through the actions of our chapters, the dedication of volunteers, and the ongoing conversations that connect research to classroom practice .

Over the past two years, I have witnessed this mission in action in ways that have continually inspired me . Chapters across the province have created spaces for educators to learn together, challenge assumptions, and deepen their practice . Whether through miniconferences, book studies, math nights, or speaker series, each chapter has contributed to a vibrant professional community grounded in equity, curiosity, and collaboration . These local initiatives embody our vision of an equitable mathematics education community, one where every educator has access to high-quality, research-informed learning, and every student is supported in developing a positive mathematical identity .

Our collective learning has also been strengthened by the conversations sparked through OAME Talks and our Leadership Series . These sessions invite us to rethink assessment, investigate neurodiversity, braid Indigenous mathematical ways of knowing, and consider how storytelling can foster belonging in mathematics classrooms . Each speaker reminds us that equity and excellence are not competing priorities; they are interdependent . When we design learning environments that honour students’ identities, experiences, and ways of thinking, we create the conditions for deep mathematical understanding .

Thank you to the hard-working members of the organizing committee for the OAME2026 Annual Conference: Let’s Talk Math, which was held in London, Ontario . The theme invited us to consider how mathematical conversations— between students, between educators, and between communities—shape understanding and foster belonging . Our keynote and featured speakers deepened this exploration, offering research-informed practices and perspectives that continue to resonate in classrooms across the province .

As we look ahead, the momentum continues . Planning is already underway for the OAME2027 Annual Conference: Mathematics Through Stories: Cultivating Courage, Curiosity, and Connection, which will be offered in a fully virtual format . This shift reflects our commitment to accessibility and our desire to reach educators across all regions of Ontario . The theme invites us to consider how narrative—our own stories, our students’ stories, and the stories embedded in mathematics—can deepen understanding and strengthen relationships . I am excited to see how this conference will continue to expand our collective thinking .

Attending a conference, whether in person or virtually, allows participants to choose their own learning journey by selecting workshops and sessions that speak to their interests, questions, and professional goals . These experiences remind us that professional learning, like teaching itself, is dynamic, personal, and continually evolving .

Throughout my term, I have often returned to the Mission and Vision Statements, our Strategic Priorities, and our Position Papers to guide the direction and decisions made by the OAME/AOEM Board of Directors . These texts articulate who we are and who we aspire to be as a community . They remind us that our work is grounded in equity, informed by research, and sustained by collaboration . They call us to advocate for high-quality mathematics education for all students, and to support educators in creating learning environments, where every student can experience the beauty, wonder, and power of mathematics .

That beauty is something I have always cherished . I often find myself pointing out mathematical patterns in the world to my friends and family . I believe deeply that mathematics is not just a subject; it is a way of seeing and interacting with the world . When students experience mathematics as relevant, connected to their lived realities, and reflective of their identities, they begin to see themselves as capable mathematicians . That is the heart of our work .

As I conclude my presidency, I am filled with gratitude . To the Board of Directors, thank you for your leadership, your thoughtful deliberation, and your unwavering commitment to our mission . To the chapters, thank you for the countless hours you devote to creating meaningful professional learning opportunities . To the volunteers who support conferences, publications, committees, and events, thank you for your generosity and your belief in the power of community . And to every educator across Ontario who engages with OAME/AOEM, whether by attending a webinar, participating in a chapter event, reading the Gazette and Abacus, or sharing ideas with colleagues, thank you for the work you do every day to support students in their mathematical journeys .

Our new Executive Director, Sandra Jean Price, has taken over the role . Sandra Jean brings a wealth of experience to the position, beginning as a Chapter Representative in 2003, being part of the conference organizing committees for OAME 2003 and 2025, as well as being instrumental for the quick pivot to a virtual format in 2020, and ensuring that educators benefited from valuable learning during a time of upheaval and uncertainty . She served as President-Elect in 2021 to 2022, President for September 2022 to August 2024, and Past President in 2024/2025 . Sandra Jean won the Exceptional and Creative Teaching in Elementary Mathematics Award in 2008, and the Life Membership Award in 2024 . We look forward to her ongoing leadership and guidance as we continue the work of OAME/AOEM .

Although my term as President is ending, my commitment to this community remains steadfast . I look forward to my ongoing work as Past President, supporting our incoming President, Mark Chubb, and continuing to learn with you, to contribute where I can, and to celebrate the ongoing work of an organization that has meant so much to me . The future of OAME/AOEM is bright, sustained by the passion, expertise, and dedication of educators across the province .

As we move into summer, I hope you find time for rest, reflection, and renewal . May you carry forward the “aha” moments from this year, the questions that continue to spark your curiosity, and the connections that sustain your practice . Thank you for the privilege of serving as your President . Together, we will continue to promote, support, and advocate for excellence in mathematics education throughout Ontario .

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