Sharon Spikes, Macomb Public School teacher, has been selected as this year’s Mathematical Association of America Oklahoma Teacher of the Year at the high school level by the Oklahoma/Arkansas Section of the Mathematical Association of America (OK-AR MAA). Sharon was recognized at the annual section meeting banquet of the OK-AR MAA held at the campus of East Central University on March 31, 2023.
“My greatest joy in teaching is the lasting relationships I build with my students. I have a wall in my room that shows every student who has graduated since I’ve been at Macomb and we try to keep it updated with what they’re doing now,” said Spikes.
OK-AR MAA biennially recognizes three teachers in Oklahoma and three in Arkansas for their outstanding contributions to the mathematics education of their students. The honorees are selected from the pool of nominees on the basis of written submissions which include a
description of a special project or enrichment topic they have developed, their personal philosophy of teaching mathematics, and recommendations from a supervisor, a peer, and a student or parent. The MAA Teacher of the Year Award is presented to one teacher from each
of three levels—secondary, middle school, and elementary—from each of the two states.
When asked how she sees math being used by her students, Spikes responded, “I love when the students tell me how math impacts them in the real world. Whether it’s finding a job and dealing with taxes or dealing with purchasing a car .”
Since 1915, the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) has provided a forum for educators, students, professionals, and mathematics enthusiasts to share ideas, keep abreast of developments in the mathematical community, enhance their careers, and make new friends.
Today, the MAA is the largest professional society that focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level with more than 25,000 individuals and institutions taking advantage of its publications, programs, and resources. The membership of OK-AR MAA consists of members of the MAA residing in Oklahoma or Arkansas. Its membership is made up of educators, students, as well as others inside and outside of academia who are devoted to the advancement of the mathematical sciences, especially at the collegiate level.
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