Washington Mathematics Official Publication of the Washington State Mathematics Council
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President's Message
Harold Hansberry, WSMC President
Western Washington University, Bellingham
I wish to thank Karen Wilson and all the people responsible for the 37th Northwest Mathematics Conference held in Spokane on October 7 - 10, 1998. The sessions, the workshops, the exhibits, and the arrangements were exceptionally planned and presented. In talking with many of the attendees I heard only compliments. I talked with a few of the new teachers that attended the New Teachers Conference and they were still euphoric about the experience. Reports from people associated with the Team Conference for teams of administrators and classroom teachers were all positive. Those of us who were fortunate enough to be able to attend the conference thank all of you who made the experience so worthwhile and enjoyable.
Attending the Northwest Mathematics Conference held annually, in rotation with British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington State, is a way to update your knowledge about mathematics and mathematics education, to network with other teachers of mathematics at all grade levels, and to find out what other teachers outside of your immediate area are achieving.
Additional opportunities for becoming informed about new trends in mathematics education, about the latest information on the Washington State Essential Student Learning Requirements in mathematics, about classroom tested ideas for teaching mathematics, and about recent opportunities for updating and sharpening your skills in mathematics education are provided by the Washington State Mathematics Council.
Members should have already received material about the WSMC's fourteen mini-conferences on assessment and the essential student learnings which will be taking place from late January through early March throughout Washington State. The intent of each of these workshops is to update the participants on the state's assessment process and to demonstrate some appropriate teaching strategies for meeting the Essential Student Learning Requirements in mathematics.
WSMC also provides you with the Washington Mathematics, an opportunity to sample other teachers' successful teaching ideas and to share your own ideas. It also contains a calendar of upcoming events, information about the activities of WSMC, and a listing of the board of directors for the WSMC. Each issue contains a WSMC membership form so that you and your collegues may join this professional organization for teachers of mathematics!
WSMC also publishes a bi-monthly calendar of upcoming FUNCTIONS that are opportunities for you to update, refresh, or expand your mathematics and mathematics education skills. These events include some that are listed in Washington Mathematics and a more extensive list of most of the mathematics workshops and events occurring in the forthcoming two to three month period.
Another source of current material available in mathematics education and related topics is the WSMC web page: www.wsmc.net. This web site includes material about the Washington State Mathematics Council and also information and links to related events and opportunities.
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), has a web site, http://inform.ospi.wednet.edu. This web site contains up-to-date material on the Commission on Student Learning and the results of the Essential Student Learning Requirements Assessments. It contains much other material about the OSPI which you may find relevant to your needs.
One of the prime purposes of the Washington State Mathematics Council is to provide opportunities for mathematics teachers to update and review their knowledge and skills. If you have ideas about how we can continue doing this my e-mail address is: haroldh@pacificrim.net.
Of course the ultimate immediate resource for each teacher is your colleagues. In your building, and in your district are many other enthusiastic people who are working to improve mathematics education. It is my experience that each grade level has much to offer other grade levels in ways of teaching and understanding the many facets of mathematics.
© 1999 WSMC and Richard T. Edgerton