The criteria for this award have recently been changed. In particular, in line with Margaret Sinclair’s devotion to supporting the careers of young people, the award will now recognize an educator who is within the first ten to fifteen years of their active career as an educator.
Candidates for the award will have shown an enthusiasm for enhancing the learning environment and displaying novel ideas, methods or devices for teaching mathematics. They will also possess supporting evidence of having provided opportunities for students to achieve, observe, and experience mathematics in a thoughtful, significant way.
Creative leadership is an important factor. Candidates must act as a role model for other teachers and have an inspirational influence on students and/or colleagues. This may be displayed through meaningful classroom teaching, directing mathematical forums, encouraging rational and critical discussions while using accurate data to support one’s position, fostering teamwork, writing effective curriculum support materials, contributing to mathematics education journals, or being involved as an organizer or speaker at mathematics education meetings or conferences.
The recipient is expected and serve on the Award Committee in the subsequent year.
Winners of the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award
2024
Dr. Lauren DeDieu has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education. Dr. DeDieu is an Associate Professor (Teaching) at the University of Calgary, whose award-winning passion for mathematical pedagogy and award-winning leadership in outreach forums makes her a natural choice for the honour. Trained as an algebraic geometer, DeDieu really came to life when it was time to teach. She became heavily involved in outreach programs during her postdoc at the University of Minnesota and brought similar inspiration to her new teaching post in Calgary.
In the Spring of 2019, DeDieu launched Girls Excel in Math, a Saturday morning program that recruits girls in Grades 6-8 who show interest in mathematics and want to explore the subject at a higher level. Despite a global pandemic, the GEM program has more than doubled in attendance since its inaugural year and now boasts 180 students. And since it only runs during the school year, that left an entire summer to do more math. In addition to her teaching – where she coordinates the seminal first-year calculus class for 1,300 students – and running GEM, DeDieu has also created an overnight camp for math students across Alberta. True to form, it was an immediate success. DeDieu's work ensures a more supportive network for math-loving students to explore their talents and options for future study.
2023
Dr. Lynda Colgan has been selected as the 2023 recipient of the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education. Dr. Colgan is Professor Emerita, Faculty of Education, Queen’s University. She is currently the Executive Director, Education and Development of Science Rendezvous and is working on a number of research, resource-creation, and teacher-education projects, funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Mathematics Knowledge Network (MKN).
Dr. Colgan's research has focused on supporting early career mathematics teachers, involving parents as partners in mathematics teaching and learning and alternate images of mathematics curriculum. Her creative projects have resulted in the development of a children’s television show, The Prime Radicals and an award-winning children’s non-fiction book, Mathemagic.
“Dr. Lynda Colgan has devoted her career in education to designing projects and outreach activities, changing the way people see the relevance of mathematics, and making this once-intimidating subject into a field of wonder. She is ensuring Canada knows that mathematics is important, accessible and available to all learners — young and old — and fun!” the committee wrote.
2022
Dr. John Mighton has been selected as the 2022 recipient of the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education. Dr. Mighton is an award-winning mathematician, playwright and best-selling author, who founded JUMP Math as a charity in 2002. He is internationally recognized for his ground-breaking work building children’s confidence, skills, and success in math.
Over the past 20 years, Dr. Mighton has set out to prove that anyone is capable of high achievement in mathematics. He formalized this hypothesis through JUMP Math, his program, which has now grown to reach 1.5 million students around the world. JUMP Math helps children overcome “math anxiety” by building their confidence and resilience through tackling incrementally more challenging concepts at each stage of learning. For his dedication to the community, he was singled out among a competitive group of fellow nominees.
The organizing committee was unanimous in their praise of this year's recipient. “True to the spirit of Dr. Sinclair, the successful candidate for this esteemed recognition will have served their community with kindness, generosity, selflessness, and inclusivity. This is clearly evident in the legacy work of Dr. Mighton – particularly with his efforts with JUMP Math.”
2021
Dr. Catherine Marks Krpan has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education. Dr. Marks Krpan is a Professor at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education whose belief that “anyone can be a math person” has resulted in a prolific body of work aimed at helping students overcome their fear of mathematics and has enhanced educational access to mathematics in underserved communities across Canada.
Members of the adjudication committee were impressed by the numerous ways in which the nominators’ letters reflected all the components of the Margaret Sinclair Award criteria, which recognizes outstanding leadership, innovation, excellence, leadership, and influence.
Supporters of Dr. Marks Krpan’s nomination noted her affirmation that any student can engage in deep and complex mathematics. Some of the innovative research she has undertaken include her work with elementary school teachers around mathematical argumentation and proof, which are rooted in theory while still providing practical support, thus allowing teachers to bring rich mathematical experiences into their classrooms. “Teachers and students feel like they can meaningfully enact the pedagogies she shares, even if they have never done it before, because she anchors this work in the practical conditions of the elementary classroom,” one of her support letters observed.
Dr. Marks Krpan is also known for her passionate and engaging teaching style, which complements her adeptness at helping students work through their anxieties. A former student writes: "I have always been very anxious about math, but Cathy really helped me love and appreciate it. She made each and every single class so engaging, exciting, and challenging (in a good way)!”
In her work with preservice teachers and in-service educators, and within her partnerships with First Nations education stakeholders, Board administrators, graduate students and colleagues, Cathy has served as an inspiration to teachers and educators, sharing her knowledge and expertise. However, she also values the personal learning opportunities that her collaborations afford her. Perhaps, for this reason, she is described as “generous” and “humble” by several of her supporters.
2020
Dr. Christine Suurtamm has been selected as the 2020 recipient of the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education. Like Margaret Sinclair, Chris completed her graduate studies while still working as a classroom teacher. Chris is currently a Full Professor at the Faculty of Education and Vice-Dean, Research and Professional Development at the University of Ottawa. Her formal studies began with a B.A. Honours Mathematics from York University and culminated with her Ed.D from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto. She has been a classroom teacher, Department Head of Mathematics, and Director of the Teacher Education program at the University of Ottawa. She has received numerous awards and honours, including the University of Ottawa Award for Excellence in Teaching.Throughout her career as an educator, Dr. Suurtamm has been actively and fully engaged with the mathematics education community in Ontario and beyond. Her leadership has been well documented; she has been involved in organizing and supporting many mathematics education conferences. She has acted as Co-Chair of the International Congress of School Effectiveness and Improvement in Ottawa, of working groups at meetings of the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group (CMESG), and of study groups at the International Congress on Mathematics Education (ICME). She has been an Executive member of the Board of Directors of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), a Director of the Ontario Association of Mathematics Education (OAME), and a member of the Steering Committee of the Fields Institute for Research in the Mathematical Sciences. The range of topics of her research as well as her numerous publications, both in journals and books, demonstrates Chris’ understanding that educating our students as well as our teachers is a complex problem involving many variables. Her influence has been felt not only through her publications, conference work, research, and preparing future teachers, but also through many programs, projects, and initiatives that she has undertaken, working with classroom teachers, school and divisional administrators, and individuals at the Ontario Ministry of Education.During the more than 25 years that Chris was a classroom teacher, she worked with teachers to implement several new curricula. Chris believes that teachers “can develop new ideas by exploring issues within their own context and wrestling with these issues with others. Valuing and respecting teachers’ professionalism, commitment, knowledge, and judgment” are critical to her work in supporting the move towards a genuine inquiry-based curriculum. The Award recognizes her years of enthusiastic engagement and ongoing leadership across all levels of mathematics education.
2019
Mr. Nat Banting was selected the recipient of the 2019 Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education.
The adjudication committee delighted to extend this award to Mr. Banting "for advancing the possibility of the mathematics classroom as a space for mathematical thinking and appreciation, and also for modelling a wider innovative possibility - that of the teacher in a digital age." The award is distributed annually and includes a monetary prize, an inscription of the winner’s name on a plaque at the Fields Institute and the delivery of an on-site public lecture.
The deciding committee noted that Mr. Banting’s voice across social media has garnered impressive international attention, helping to make mathematics widely accessible for many, including high school, undergraduate and graduate, students, postdoctoral fellows, early career researchers, and teachers.
Currently a mathematics teacher and consultant working in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Mr. Banting holds a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Alberta. Academically, he focusses on the ecological and biological roots of cognition, the pragmatics of groups within high-density mathematics classrooms, and student impressions of probability. Currently serving as the Director for the Saskatchewan Mathematics Teachers’ Society, Nat Banting has curated various division-based curriculum projects and produces classroom resources: notably, Fraction Talks and 16 Boxes: Ten Numeracy Routines for the Classroom. Conceived in 2011, Banting’s Musing Mathematically Blog is active on his personal website; it houses current teaching techniques and maintains an accessible approach to exploring mathematics.
In addition to teaching, Banting is engaged with active mathematics-based research, authoring numerous refereed publications. His commitment to promoting accessibility within the mathematical sciences is emblematic of his devotion to innovation and education. “It is beyond humbling to even have been considered for this award, let alone be selected,” said Banting. The Fields Institute celebrates this accomplishment and Nat Banting’s contribution to mathematics worldwide.
2018
Dr. Peter Liljedahl, of Simon Fraser University, is the recipient of the 2018 Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education.
The adjudication committee were struck with the reach of Peter’s innovations across all sectors of the mathematics education community. Writers of supporting letters attested to his excellence as a teacher; the value of Peter’s support of mathematics educators K - 12, and Peter’s contributions to providing opportunities for all students to achieve, observe, and experience mathematics in a thoughtful and significant way. As one support letter noted:
“I have been witness to Peter’s positive influence at all levels of mathematics education: elementary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and teacher education.”
Now Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at Simon Fraser University, Peter Liljedahl began his career in mathematics education as a Mathematics and Physics teacher for grades 8 - 12 at a school in Vancouver. Peter’s research interests are as wide-ranging as his influence: creativity and discovery in mathematics teaching and learning; affect; beliefs; classroom practice; professional growth of teachers; numeracy; instructional design, assessment in mathematics; student learning behavior (studenting); interactions between students in collaboration; teacher tensions; building thinking classrooms. It is Peter’s work on building thinking classrooms for which he is most recognized across the mathematics education community, and the terms “visibly random groupings” and “vertical non-permanent surfaces” have reached mathematics educators far and wide. Part of his reach is through hundreds of research papers, articles, books, book chapters, seminars, and presentations.
His leadership within mathematics education organizations includes the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group, the British Columbia Association of Mathematics Teachers, and the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education. His support of mathematics education includes editorial responsibilities for the International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, Education Studies in Mathematics, The Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education. Yet, many attest to his generosity, approachability, and general attentiveness to the needs of his students, colleagues, and the larger mathematics education community. “Far from being an ivory tower academic, Peter is involved in the mathematics education community at a grass roots level,” says his nominator.
2017
Dr. Brian Forrest of the University of Waterloo was the recipient of the 2017 Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education.
The adjudication committee was impressed by the significant impact his accomplishments have had at all levels of mathematics education: high school, undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and teacher education.
Brian received his Ph.D. from the University of Alberta in 1987 under the supervision of Professor A.T. Lau. After two years at Queen’s University as an Assistant Professor, he joined the Pure Mathematics department at the University of Waterloo, where he has taught for the last 28 years.
In additional to being a talented mathematician, Brian quickly gained recognition for his teaching from both colleagues and students. He received several teaching awards including the Professor Appreciation Award (1991) given out by University of Waterloo students, the University of Waterloo Distinguished Teaching Award (2000), and the Canadian Mathematical Society Excellence in Teaching Award (2007).
“What makes Brian a truly outstanding teacher is his extraordinary ability [to explain] mathematical concepts with clarity and precision, while simultaneously engaging the students and creating excitement for the subject. Brian teaches passionately,” said one of his students.
Another student reported that Brian makes his courses feel more like a "journey of discovery" than a sequence of mathematics results.
In parallel with his teaching, Brian has been a driving force for curricular development. Together with colleagues, he overhauled Waterloo’s general program in mathematics to give it cohesion and focus, completely restructured the Waterloo calculus curriculum, developed an innovative new program in computational mathematics, and introducing specialized options that combine mathematical study with engineering, teaching, or finance.
One of his most important achievements is the Waterloo Masters of Mathematics for Teachers Program (MMT): a three-year, on-line program for high school teachers that aims to refresh mathematics knowledge and rekindle enthusiasm.
“I am surprised and extremely honoured be recognized with this year's Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award,” said Brian. “I am certainly aware of the many significant contributions that past recipients have made to Mathematics education at all levels and I am humbled to be included in their company.”
2016
Dr. Jean-Marie De Koninck of University of Laval was last year’s recipient of the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education.
De Koninck has worked to promote mathematics and mathematics education for more than 40 years, both within the scholarly community as well as through many and varied outreach programs engaging students, teachers and the public at large.
“In his capacity as a highly active proponent of international mathematics outreach, Professor de Koninck has shared his love of mathematics with the public and invited them to join him in exploring its beauty and usefulness,” said Janine McIntosh of the Australian Mathematical Institute commenting on De Koninck’s reach beyond Canada.
McIntosh commended Jean-Marie’s organizational efforts and initiatives, including one that brought people together for an international math outreach workshop at BIRS just a few months ago.
Diverse projects ranging from his play Pluton va en appel! to the multimedia production Show Math, have exemplified the reach of his work as he continues to share the richness and intrigue of mathematics with others. Demonstrating the energy and enthusiasm shown by Dr. Margaret Sinclair herself, Prof. De Koninck is a worthy recipient of this honour.
“I am very happy and honored to receive the Margaret Sinclair Award. Sharing my enthusiasm and passion for mathematics with kids of all ages has been a tremendous human experience, but obtaining this prestigious award in recognition of my efforts is unexpected and overwhelming,” said Dr. Jean-Marie De Koninck at the time of the announcement.
Dr. De Koninck has been a researcher and professor of mathematics at Université Laval for more than 40 years and is well known to the scientific community for his work in analytic number theory.
As an academic he is the author of 15 books and 127 peer reviewed articles in scientific journals.
Professor De Koninck has also hosted a science outreach television show for Canal Z and TFO called C'est mathématique! In 2005 he created the Sciences and Mathematics in Action (SMAC) Program which has as its stated goal to increase the interest in both science and mathematics.
He was also very active in the media during the ten years he acted as President of the Table québécoise de la sécurité routière. He is now a member of the Board for the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec. Many have also seen him as a color-commentator for nationally televised swim events.
2015
Ron Lancaster was the recipient of the 2015 Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education. Lancaster has over 20 years of experience teaching middle and high school mathematics, and is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Toronto, where he teaches at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). His interest and passion in mathematics has inspired many to think creatively about teaching and while learning this subject. He has been a senior lecturer with the Department of Teaching and Learning, University of Toronto since 2004. Lancaster has spread the love of learning math through his academic role as a lecturer, through his articles, as well as leading by example in his classes. He has been an inspiration to all those that work with him. During the process of nominations many pointed out that although he has received international recognition for his efforts, he has remained extremely humble. His commitment to improving the teaching and learning of mathematics had its beginnings in 1977, mathematics teacher in southern Ontario and an international mathematics consultant. Many mathematics teachers in Canada know Ron for his professional workshops that entertained, informed, and inspired its participants. Others know him for his ongoing editorship of the Mathematical Lens feature in Mathematics Teacher, which has offered over 100 ideas for engaging high school students to learn mathematics while seeing the world around them mathematically. The variety of forms in which Ron has expressed his enthusiasm for mathematics teaching includes online resources for building lessons from television shows, posters for classrooms, and Math Trails at conferences across North America.
2014
Ann Kajander was selected as the 2014 recipient of the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education. Dr. Kajander is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University with a PhD and an MA from the University of Toronto, following a BSc from Lakehead and a BEd from the University of Toronto. At the time of her appointment at Lakehead, Dr. Kajander was teaching at elementary, secondary, and post-secondary level all at once, in a clear demonstration of her commitment to mathematics education through direct involvement in research, educational governing bodies, and the classroom. Dr. Kajander is an active member of the Fields Institute Math Education Forum, the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the Ontario Association of Mathematics Educators. She regularly consults professional mathematicians to be sure that her resources reflect a high mathematical standard, and conversely maintains contact with a network of teachers to make sure her work is grounded in the day-to-day realities and challenges of their work. Her participation as the only Ontario mathematics education researcher in an NSERC CRYSTAL (Centres for Research in Youth Science, Mathematics and Engineering Teaching and Learning) reflects her ability and desire to connect with mathematicians and scientists, mathematics educators, classroom teachers, teacher candidates, and ultimately students, and is representative of the types of research and impact that was embodied in the work of Margaret Sinclair.
2013
Kathryn M. Kubota-Zarivnij is the first recipient of the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award for innovation and excellence in promoting mathematics education. Ms Kubota-Zarivnij was the unanimous choice of the members of the jury; the extensive range of her contributions in mathematics education in Canada stood out among the excellent nominees for the award. Included in the roles she has fulfilled in mathematics education in Ontario and Canada are: teacher, teacher educator, curriculum designer, principal of an elementary MST school, consultant, professional development leader, executive member/co-editor for OAME.
Though those roles she has left a legacy shaping curriculum and policy, inspiring learners and teachers and leading one of the largest teacher specialist groups in Canada. Without doubt Ms. Kubota-Zarivnij has had a profound influence on teachers, learners and mathematics curriculum.
When considering her many achievements, one of the nominators wrote: Kathy is an inspirational and influential role model for students, teachers, and colleagues alike. Her innovation in the field of mathematics provides students with rich learning opportunities to actively engage in and experience mathematics in thoughtful and significant ways. Through collaboration Kathy creates authentic learning opportunities for teachers that allow them to experience and explore novel methods for teaching mathematics. Kathy knows how to lead you outside of your comfort zone to evolve from learner to mentor. Her dedication to researching, designing and educating others about effective mathematics teaching and learning practices for students, teachers and administrators is unparalleled. Kathy Kubota-Zarivnij's progressive thinking and dedication to fostering engaging and creative mathematics education is indeed reflective of Dr. Margaret Sinclair as a mathematics educator.
Throughout her career, Ms. Kubota-Zarivnij has demonstrated positive and strong leadership, helping to implement changes in mathematical education grounded in thorough research. ‘’From principal to math study group facilitator to her current role as TCDSB math coordinator, Kathy continually demonstrates an unwavering commitment to developing innovation and excellence in the area of mathematics education.’’
It is particularly rewarding to note that Ms Kubota-Zarivnij pursued her PhD studies under the supervisory guidance of Dr Margaret Sinclair and shared Dr Sinclair’s vision for a rich and engaging mathematic education.
About Margaret Sinclair
Margaret Sinclair passed away on her 62nd birthday, February 21, 2012 after a brave struggle with a rare form of cancer. Until then she was a tenured professor in the Faculty of Education, Graduate Program in Education, York University. A vibrant, creative and versatile woman, Margaret followed a rather untraditional path to her impressive accomplishments in life. After graduating high school with a 99% average she began studying economics as a scholarship student at the University of Toronto, but after one year she left to join the work force. Margaret had met Larry Sinclair in Grade 7 and in 1968, when she was 18, they were married. In 1969 she attended Toronto Teacher's College, and after graduation began teaching at the elementary level. Between then and 1974 she also completed five courses by correspondence at the University of Toronto.
By 1975, when Margaret and Larry had two children, she decided to stay home full-time to care for them and then the three more they had by 1982. During that time Margaret also decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mathematics by correspondence from the University of Waterloo. Excelling in that effort, she completed her undergraduate degree in 1988 and began teaching mathematics at the secondary level. Over the next several years Margaret combined full-time work with further part-time studies. In 1995 she earned a masters degree in the Mathematics for Teachers program from York University. Then in 2001, at age 51, after six years of studies, while still a mathematics department head and then a vice-principal, Margaret completed her PhD, receiving her doctorate in education through O.I.SE. In July of that year, she began her new career at York University where she worked as Associate Professor of Education and co-director of the York-Seneca Institute for Mathematics, Science and Technology.
Although she was driven by mathematics, Margaret’s passion was learning and sharing her knowledge and expertise with others through teaching, research and writing. She loved educating prospective teachers, using innovative ways to inspire them and their students. As a contributing author of curriculum materials and textbooks, she also strongly advocated presenting mathematics as an important component of everyday life, incorporating whenever she could practical applications of the mathematics involved in such things as designing and building stairs and calculating the numbers of squares of shingles needed for a roofing project. As well, much of her research involved exploring ways to help learners – teachers and students alike – visualize mathematics concepts.
Margaret balanced her life as wife, mother, student and teacher with precision and extraordinary energy. Her greatest attribute was her unselfishness with her time and talents, and her willingness to share these with family, friends and even strangers. She was always ready, willing and able to get involved, offer advice, and be there for people. And her talents went far beyond academia. She loved cooking, knitting, genealogy, ballroom dancing, golfing, gardening, furniture refinishing and renovating.
Margaret Sinclair was inducted as a Fellow of the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences at its annual general meeting on June 27, 2012, the first time the Institute had ever posthumously recognized an individual’s outstanding contributions. On the same evening, Margaret's loving husband, Larry, their family and friends were proud to announce the creation of the The Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education.
