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NCTM Representative News
Affiliate Report
Spring 2011

NCTM Affiliates Meeting Report: During the session, NCTM shared the following five major initiatives: Reasoning and Sense Making; Common Core State Standards; Linking Research and Practice; Transition from High School to Post-Secondary Settings; and Advocacy and Outreach. Many of these initiatives involved ...

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Mathematics, mentoring, and NCSM go hand-in-hand. September 1987 seems like only yesterday when I began my career as a mathematics educator in Pennsylvania. The first day, week, and year were filled with excitement and rich learning experiences that have stayed with me throughout my career. The support from my administration and especially my department head allowed me multiple opportunities to grow and learn. Now that I look back I truly value the mentoring relationship and nurturing atmosphere that existed at that school.

Years later, NCSM continues to provide a nurturing/mentoring atmosphere where I can continue to learn and grow. The annual conferences, leadership academies, and fall seminars connect leaders from across the country-no the world-and continue to foster an atmosphere of mentoring, collaboration, and professional growth. Now that we have begun the transition to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics it is even more important to connect and collaborate with other leaders. NCSM provides multiple opportunities for this to happen and many resources to support us along our leadership journey.

There are two key professional experiences that stand out in my mind when I look back over my twenty-four years as a mathematics educator: my first NCTM Annual Conference and my first NCSM Annual Conference. As a second year teacher in 1988, I was excited when they told me I could go to Disney World (oops I mean Orlando FL) for the NCTM Annual Conference. I don't remember much about the Conference, but the one thing I do remember is leaving so excited to be a mathematics teacher and with a hunger to learn more to reach my students.

Fast forward sixteen years to 2005, I am now working as the secondary mathematics coordinator in Baltimore County and once again I'm excited when they tell me I can go to Disney Land (oops I mean Anaheim CA) for my first NCSM Annual Conference. Little did I know that I would be exhausted, in a good way, after the three days of sessions, talks, lunches, and breakfasts. Not a moment was wasted and once again my cup was full as I returned to work excited and ready to lead teachers to grow and change so that they might reach more students.

It's ironic that both of these professional "firsts" occurred in the places where dreams do come true and the spirit of excitement is rekindled in everyone. "When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are..." If you can dream it and believe it, you can achieve it.