Kay Gilliland Gallery of Awardees

Congratulations to Dr. Robert Berry, 2021 Kay Gilliland Equity Lecture Awardee and Thomasenia Adams, the 2020 Kay Gilliland Equity Lecture Awardee

Thomasenia Adams

Dr. Robert Berry

Kay Gilliland Equity Lecture

Dr. Berry will deliver the 2021 Kay Gilliland Equity Lecture titled “Addressing Racism and Antiblackness in Mathematics Education” on Tuesday, September 21 at 10:00 AM at the NCSM Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA.. 

Our 2021 Kay Gilliland Equity Lecture Awardee is Dr. Robert Q. Berry III.  Currently, Dr. Berry serves as the Samuel Braley Gray Professor of Mathematics Education, and Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia.  In addition, Dr. Berry is the immediate past president of NCTM, where much of his work focused on the Catalyzing Change series which centers on access, equity, and empowerment for each and every student and aims at developing and implementing policies that will support every teacher of mathematics. His expertise, vision, voice, and understanding of the range of issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion were foundational to these publications, which are now providing a framework and catalyst for systemic change across the United States and Canada.

Dr. Berry has provided strong and bold leadership in addressing current equity challenges in mathematics teaching and learning.  He has worked diligently to broaden the conversations around equity, access and inclusion, and to guide others in taking actions to increase equity and access in the classroom. This is a clear theme in his publications, his speaking, and in his leadership. He has worked with policymakers, teachers, students, and leaders across multiple states and at the local levels in mathematics education to not only educate the community but as he notes on his CV, “to challenge the spaces of marginality by bringing the authentic experiences and knowledge of marginalized people to the attention of the broader community.” He has also been instrumental in collaborations with multiple professional organizations such as NCSM, AMTE, NCTM, TODOS, and the Benjamin Banneker Association, to continue a focus on equity as a lens for mathematics teaching and learning.

As the 2021 recipient of the Kay Gilliland Equity Lecture Award, Dr. Robert Q. Berry will deliver the 2021 Kay Gilliland Equity Lecture titled “Addressing Racism and Antiblackness in Mathematics Education” on Tuesday, September 21 at 10:00 AM at the 53rd NCSM Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA.

Kay Gilliland Equity Lecture

Thomasenia Adams will deliver the Kay Gilliland Equity Lecture titled “My Journey of Emancipation from Freedom to Fail to Freedom to Succeed in Mathematics” at the NCSM Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA.

Mathematics leaders are in an important and unique position to set priorities, influence change, and impact conversations. Recent unfortunate social events in this nation have affected the lives of the education community, especially its students. Understanding the historical perspective of these events is key. Silence in the face of injustice conveys the impression that prejudicial behavior is condoned or not worthy of attention. Today there are ‘calls’ for professional learning offerings that include understanding and respecting the lived experiences and realities of students. There are implications for leaders to build stronger relationships with teachers and each other. Additionally, there is new learning to be considered for our work.

Through her research at the University of Florida, Dr. Thomasenia Lott Adams has advocated for equity in mathematics education. Dr. Lott has disseminated her passionate work through academics, referred articles, books, keynote presentations, research presentations, and professional development. An example of her passion is as lead author of Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching Girls in Grades K-5 (2019), where insights of the gender gap in mathematics are discussed.

Dr. Thomasenia Lott Adams influences current equity problems through publications, presentations, professional development, and mentoring. Dr. Adams focus is on supporting girls in mathematics, culturally responsive pedagogy, women in educational leadership, and increasing the number and position of African American mathematics educators.

Recently, Dr. Thomasenia Lott Adams has been invited to present on equity in mathematics education as the keynote at the inaugural Women in Equation: Leading Perspectives conference, a presentation for the Build Minds Virtual Summit, and invited and highlighted sessions for NCSM, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE).

As the 2020 Kay Gilliland Equity Lecture Award recipient, Dr. Thomasina Lott Adams will deliver the 2020 Kay Gilliland Equity Lecture titled “My Journey of Emancipation from Freedom to Fail to Freedom to Succeed in Mathematics” at the 53rd NCSM Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA on Monday, September 20 at 1:45 pm.

Kay Gilliland

NCSM is an organization whose membership is made up of leaders in the field of mathematics education. One of those members who gave especially of her time and energy was Kay Gilliland. Mills College and EQUALS gave her the courage and the skills to work for equity in mathematics for all students, especially low-income, black, Latino, and indigenous peoples. NCSM enabled her to learn and work locally, nationally, and internationally to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics. Kay Gilliland was a vibrant and service-oriented President of NCSM and served as a conscientious editor of the NCSMs newsletter for more than seven years. In all of her work, Kay promoted a focus on equity in mathematics education.

Each year, NCSM members take time out to nominate and honor a leader in mathematics who has made the same kind of unique and dedicated contribution to mathematics education as Kay Gilliland.

If you are a current NCSM member, consider nominating a worthy candidate.

Previous Kay Gilliland Equity Lecture Award Recipients