February 21, 2014, TORONTO - Ann Kajander has been 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.

Established in 2013, the annual Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award recognizes an educator in Canada who has demonstrated innovation and excellence in promoting mathematics education. Candidates for the award show an enthusiasm for enhancing the learning environment and novel ways of teaching mathematics, provide opportunities for students to experience mathematics in a significant way, serve as a role model for other teachers, and have had an inspirational influence on students and/or colleagues.

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.

After hearing the news about the award, Dr. Kajander wrote: "I am beyond honoured. One of the things I admired most, of the many things I admired about Marg, was her energy and enthusiasm for doing the right thing, regardless of any personal gain or recognition. I am most humbled by this and grateful to you all."

For more information, please visit the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award page.

The Fields Institute, located in Toronto, is one of the world's leading independent mathematical research institutions. With a wide array of pure, applied, industrial, financial and educational programs, the Fields Institute attracts over 1,000 visitors annually from every corner of the globe, to collaborate on leading-edge research programs in the mathematical sciences. The Fields Institute is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, eight principal sponsoring universities, sixteen affiliate universities and several corporate sponsors.

For other news, please visit the Fields Institute press releases page.