University News
60th Annual Mathematics Teachers Conference at WIU March 25
March 2, 2011
MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University will host the 60th Annual Western Illinois Mathematics Teachers Conference, with the theme "Teaching and Learning Mathematics K-14: Connecting to the Common Core Standards," from 8 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Friday, March 25.
"In addition to the opening and closing plenary addresses, we provide an opportunity for teachers of mathematics in all K-14 brackets to share and learn focused topics of interest through offering them parallel sessions of talks and workshops. This year's program, our 60th conference, has been particularly tended to by our conference committee to make it special," said Iraj Kalantari, chair of WIU's mathematics department.
A welcome and keynote address by George Schlott, titled "The Condition of College and Career Readiness in Illinois," is scheduled from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in Morgan Hall 109 and is open free to the public. Schlott is the senior consultant for elementary/secondary educational services for ACT, Inc. at the Midwest Regional Office (Lincolnshire, IL). He works with schools on implementation of solution products, included in the ACT College and Career Readiness System, which is directed toward preparing all students for college and career readiness. Prior to working with ACT, Schlott was a 37–year employee of the Plainfield (IL) Community Consolidated School District, serving as a math teacher, guidance counselor, district director of technology and associate principal for student services.
Throughout the day, engaging sessions and workshops will be presented by 12 speakers to area math teachers and Western Illinois University education majors by professionals from Illinois State University, the Academy for Urban School Leadership, Macomb Junior/Senior High School, Augustana College, Illinois College, Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM), the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illini Central High School (Lincoln, IL), Stark County Junior/Senior High School and Brother Rice High School (Chicago). Kalantari expects some 150 attendees from 34 schools.
Susan Morrison, who has served as Illinois Deputy State Superintendent of Education since 2007, will give the closing speech, focusing on the latest developments in the state and on national standards and how they may impact Illinois teachers, students, expectations and assessments; these include the American Diploma Project and Common Core Standards movement. Previously, Morrison was a 30-year teacher, administrator in a K–12 district and director at the state office of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.
Sponsors for the conference include Western's department of mathematics, with support from the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics; the West Central Council of Teachers of Mathematics; and the WIU curriculum and instruction department.
For more information, contact the WIU mathematics department at (309) 298-2275, e-mail chief clerk Sharon Setzer at SL-Setzer@wiu.edu or visit wiu.edu/math/events/conference_home.php.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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