MC faculty, students attend regional conference for educators

Jan. 28, 2010
Contact: Penny S. Gibbons, Staff Writer - Office of Communications
865.981.8209; penny.gibbons@maryvillecollege.edu

Dr. Becky Lucas, associate professor of education, Dr. Margie Ribble, associate professor of mathematics, and several Maryville College mathematics students recently attended the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ (NCTM) Regional Conference and Exposition in Nashville.

Hosted by the Tennessee Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Middle Tennessee Mathematics Teachers, the conference centered on the theme “Connections: Linking Concepts and Context” and offered workshops covering pre-K through grade 12, challenging educators to add to their math knowledge and increase their instructional skills.

According to Lucas, attending the conference gave students networking opportunities with math teachers from the region, exposure to the latest trends in math education and a new perspective on what it means to be a teacher/professional.

“We were able to attend several workshops together that reinforced the major concepts learned in class,” she commented.

The three-day conference facilitated an exchange of ideas among mathematics educators on how students learn mathematics and the best teaching practices, thus enabling teachers to return to their classrooms better prepared to teach all students.

“Having spirited discussions about a session on alternative algorithms and how it related to our own study of algorithms was a high point of the conference for me,” said Lucas.

She also said that attending professional conferences with students is meaningful and important for both faculty and students.

“Students gain valuable knowledge and experience in a professional setting that is unlike any on-campus or in-class activity,” explained Lucas. “And Dr. Ribble and I returned from the conference with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to our students and to the course we co-teach.”

Maryville College is ideally situated in Maryville, Tenn., between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Knoxville, the state‘s third largest city. Founded in 1819, it is the 12th oldest institution of higher learning in the South and maintains an affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Known for its academic rigor and its focus on the liberal arts, Maryville is where students come to stretch their minds, stretch themselves and learn how to make a difference in the world. Total enrollment for the fall 2011 semester was 1,078.