President's Message - Why I am a member of MCTM

Eight years ago, I moved to Montana.  When we left, Texas, I also left behind all of the teachers across the state that I had gotten to know.  There were the teachers that I had taught with, the teachers I had supervised during their preservice teacher program, the teachers that I worked with in grant projects, and so on.  I knew not one single mathematics teacher in the entire state of Montana when I moved here.  The first thing I did when I moved here was to join MCTM.  In those first few years here in Montana, I met exceptional teachers through MCTM.  These new friends introduced me to the world of one room school houses and to cross country skiing.  They taught me to pronounce Ronan and Helena like I was a native Montanan. I find that even after all this time as a member, I am still meeting new friends and learning new things because I am an MCTM member.  Two weeks ago, I had an opportunity to spend time with MCTM members at the inaugural M Cubed conference.  It was absolutely the most fun way to spend my last week of vacation. I learned about Desmos activity builder, found a new twist on one of my favorite M&M activities, learned how to use TweetDeck during an edchat, and learned a new grouping strategy.  I got great ideas that I am implementing in my own classroom this fall. 

I can list a thousand different ways that MCTM members are improving mathematics education across the state.  As an organization, we work to support those efforts.  MCTM organizes a math contest for 7th-12th grade students every year.  We provide scholarships for our members to attend professional development opportunities and conferences.  We provide college scholarships for Montana students.  Our members can receive small classroom grants in order to purchase classroom supplies.  MCTM also provides opportunities for members to network and socialize.  At MEA/MFT in October we will have Trivia Night following the Teacher of the Year banquet and a hospitality room during the conference.  These are wonderful opportunities for even veteran MCTM members to meet someone new.

I feel blessed to count myself a friend to many exceptional mathematics teachers across the state. Eight years ago, joining MCTM changed my professional journey.  Now, I can't imagine my life without it.

Wishing you a happy start to this school year
    Hilary Risser, MCTM President

Professional Development Opportunity from OPI

To begin the registration process: http://goo.gl/forms/DLMGrCv0ZH (url is case sensitive)

Questions? Email Jake Warner: jwarner@mt.gov

NCSM Summer Leadership Academy

OPI Update

Presidential Award For Excellence in Mathematics 2016 Finalists

 Congratulations to the following finalists for the 2016 presidential awards!  (listed alphabetically)

Julie Dahinden 
Belgrade Middle School
Belgrade MT 

Kelly Hayden 
Hawthorne Elementary School
Bozeman MT

Dacia Lackey 
Hyalite Elementary
Bozeman MT 

We are excited to find out if any of them will win the final award!  Please nominate yourself or another great teacher to apply for next year’s competition.  Email Elizabeth Matthews for more information: matthews@gallatingatewayschool.com.

Math Matters Montana

                  The Math Matters Montana workshops will be back this year at 8 different locations: Brockton (Sept 10^th), Plevna (Oct 8^th), Glendive (Nov 15^th), Fort Benton (Dec 10^th), Hardin (TBA), Plains (TBA), Virginia City (TBA).  Keep your eyes peeled for more information as it becomes available!  Renewal hours will be available.  If you would like an email reminder before an event email Jake Warner at math@mt.gov.

Intersections: A virtual math community

                  Starting this fall OPI will be hosting online discussions for math teachers.  These discussions will give teachers a venue to ask questions and share wisdom pertaining to math education.  Log-In to have lively discussion and collaborate with teachers from all over Montana!  Discussions will be held on the second Wednesday of every month during the school year from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.  Renewal hours will be available.  At the time of the event log in using this link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/846248453.  For email reminders about Intersections email Jake Warner at math@mt.gov. 

OPI Update

Presidential Award For Excellence in Mathematics 2016 Finalists
Congratulations to the following finalists for the 2016 presidential awards! (listed alphabetically)

Julie Dahinden Belgrade Middle School Belgrade MT

Kelly Hayden Hawthorne Elementary School Bozeman MT
Dacia Lackey Hyalite Elementary Bozeman MT

We are excited to find out if any of them will win the final award! Please nominate yourself or another great teacher to apply for next year’s competition. Email Elizabeth Matthews for more information: matthews@gallatingatewayschool.com.


Math Matters Montana
The Math Matters Montana workshops will be back this year at 8 different locations: Brockton (Sept 10th), Plevna (Oct 8th), Glendive (Nov 15th), Fort Benton (Dec 10th), Hardin (TBA), Plains (TBA), Virginia City (TBA). Keep your eyes peeled for more information as it becomes available! Renewal hours will be available. If you would like an email reminder before an event email Jake Warner at math@mt.gov.


Intersections: A virtual math community
Starting this fall OPI will be hosting online discussions for math teachers. These discussions will give teachers a venue to ask questions and share wisdom pertaining to math education. Log-In to have lively discussion and collaborate with teachers from all over Montana! Discussions will be held on the second Wednesday of every month during the school year from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Renewal hours will be available. At the time of the event log in using this link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/846248453. For email reminders about Intersections email Jake Warner at math@mt.gov.

M Cubed - Montana Math Meet; Register NOW!!

M Cubed Registration open

 The Montana Math Meet (M Cubed) is a brand new conference and professional development opportunity sponsored by the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics. M Cubed is a unique professional development opportunity for anyone teaching math at any level K-20. M Cubed is different than other conferences you have attended in the past.

Cost: Unlike traditional conferences that have steep registration fees, this conference will be free for all MCTM members. Non-members can also attend for a fee of $25.

 Schedule: In traditional conferences there is very little unstructured time. M Cubed has unstructured time for discussions on a variety of topics. When you register you will choose topic groups that you are interested in participating in. Lunches will be spent with your topic groups discussing ideas. You can also meet with your topic groups during the afternoon both days. 

Participation: In a traditional conference, presentations are structured and opportunities for attendees to participate in presentations are often limited. At M Cubed, there are several lot of ways for you to share your ideas with others. You can present a five or ten minute idea in the "My Favorite" sessions. We have been sharing examples of "My Favorite" presentations on the MCTM newsletter Blog. You can also lead a thirty minute session on a topic of your choice. Each thirty minute session will include 15 minutes of time to present and 10-15 minutes for the group to discuss and give feedback to the presenter.

 M Cubed will be held at Montana Tech in Butte on August 10th and 11th. For more information about the conference or to register, please see the conference website. We hope to see everyone in Butte in August!

REGISTER TODAY! 

 Hilary Risser, President Elect

Hotels for MEA/MFT

I hope everyone's summer is off to a lovely start.  MEA/MFT hotel information has started to trickle in.  Here is the current list of hotels and rates for MEA/MFT in October.  More information will be posted as it is available.

1. Fairfield Inn & Suites

    2150 11th Ave

    406-449-9944

Also includes indoor pool, a spa tub, and a 24-hour fitness center and complimentary continental breakfast

 

5 Single King rooms

15 Double rooms

All rooms are $92/night + tax for a total $99.44/night

 

Ask for MCTM room block - may need to state full Council name 

Reserve before 9/19/16

 

 

2.  Baymont Inn & Suites

     750 N. Fee Street

     406-443-1000

Your room includes a fantastic breakfast buffet in the morning, indoor pool and hot tub, fitness room

 

12 Double rooms

8 Singles

Prices range from $89 - $99/room

 

Ask for MCTM room block

Reserve before 9/19/16

 

 

3. Radisson Colonial Hotel

    2301 Colonial Drive

    406-443-2100

 

They have no rooms available for Wed. 10/19. 

Thursday 10/20

7 Doubles for $108/night

8 singles for $92/night 

+7% Tax and $1 Occupancy Fee per room per night

 

Ask for MCTM rate - may need to state full Council name 

Reserve before 9/20/16

Your guests may now start making reservations by calling the hotel directly at 406-443-2100 and mentioning the name of the block of rooms they are attending or by visiting Radisson.com and using this online booking code MTEACH.

To use this code fill out the upper left hand box on the homepage, enter Helena, Mt as the location, chose your desired dates, and enter the above code in the code or ID box. If you have any question or complications please feel free to call me at 406-443-6702 or by email at sales@helenacolonialhotel.com.