Awards

The Outstanding Contribution to Mathematics Education Award

This award will be presented to a mathematician, or a mathematics educator from a public or private school, college or university, or industry, who has made an outstanding contribution to mathematics education in Pennsylvania. The person being nominated for the award must teach or work in Pennsylvania.

The Masters of Mathematics Award

This award will recognize math educators at four different levels of education: Primary Master of Mathematics: Grades K-2, Intermediate Master of Mathematics: Grades 3-5, Middle School/Junior High School Master of Mathematics and High School Master of Mathematics. The new teacher must be nominated by a supervisor, an administrator or a colleague. To be nominated for this award a candidate must:

1. Be a teacher in a public/private school (at any level, K-12) who teaches mathematics in the state of Pennsylvania.
2. Have completed at least seven years of full-time teaching.
3. Exhibit contagious enthusiasm for students’ learning of mathematics.
4. Demonstrate initiatives in developing innovative strategies in his/her teaching.

The Mathematics Hall of Fame Award

This award will be presented to the mathematics educator in Pennsylvania who is regarded by his/her peers as making the greatest impact on mathematics students and has continually exemplified excellence as a mathematics educator.

The PCTM New Teacher Award

The purpose of the award is to recognize promising, beginning teachers of mathematics so that they will be encouraged to remain in the profession. This award includes three years of free membership to PCTM. The new teacher must be nominated by a supervisor, an administrator or a colleague. To be eligible for this award, the candidate must:

1. Be a teacher in a public or private school (at any level, K-12) who teaches mathematics in the state of Pennsylvania.
2. Have completed the first, second, or third year of his/her first full-time teaching experience.
3. Exhibit contagious enthusiasm for students’ learning of mathematics.
4. Demonstrate initiatives in developing innovative strategies in his/her teaching.

The Distinguished Service Award

Upon the completion of the Annual conference, nominations will be accepted for the Distinguished Service award. The award may go to the General Chairperson of that Annual Conference, the Program Chairs of that Annual Conference or any PCTM Conference Committee Chairperson who has done an outstanding job in carrying out the function of his or her committee. The nominator must submit in writing to the Awards Committee, the person’s name, the committee chaired and reasons the person is deserving of the award.

Annalee Henderson Award

The Annalee Henderson Outstanding Student Achievement Award is presented annually to a high school senior who has demonstrated excellence in mathematics and whose future plans include mathematics or a mathematics-related field. The student must have completed a variety of high level mathematics courses which reflect a genuine interest in, and talent for, mathematics. High SAT scores and the participation in mathematics contests and original work or research in mathematics presented for math and science fairs and clubs is required. The student must have a good overall academic record and be involved in other activities (inside or outside of school). This award includes a monetary amount of $1000.

The Master of Mathematics Award

This award will recognize math educators at four different levels of education: Primary Master of Mathematics: Grades K-2, Intermediate Master of Mathematics: Grades 3-5, Middle School/Junior High School Master of Mathematics and High School Master of Mathematics. The new teacher must be nominated by a supervisor, an administrator or a colleague. To be nominated for this award a candidate must: 

1. Be a teacher in a public/private school (at any level, K-12) who teaches mathematics in the state of Pennsylvania.
2. Have completed at least seven years of full-time teaching.
3. Exhibit contagious enthusiasm for students’ learning of mathematics.
4. Demonstrate initiatives in developing innovative strategies in his/her teaching.

Purpose:  This award recognizes a student teacher who exhibits outstanding teaching practices, a positive attitude towards lifelong learning, and the potential for excellence in the teaching of mathematics.

Eligibility:  Individuals pursuing certification in any of the following areas are eligible: 

1. Secondary Mathematics/Elementary Education/ Special Education, who have completed their student teaching assignment in any grade, K-12, in a school located in Pennsylvania during the 2025-2026 school year.
2. The student teaching experience must have included the teaching of mathematics.
3. One award will be given for grades K-6 and one award will be given for grades 7-12.

Who may nominate:  

Candidates may be nominated for the award by their cooperating teacher or college supervisor.

The application:

1. Complete the Student Teacher Math Award Form  
2. Responses to the following prompts will be completed on the award form by the nominator:
   1. Describe the nominee’s knowledge of mathematics.
   2. Describe how the nominee brings creativity and/or innovation to their math classroom.
   3. Describe the nominee’s quality of interaction with students and colleagues.
   4. Give specific examples of how the nominee has shown a keen interest in developing their skills as a math educator, perhaps via membership in a professional organization, a professional learning community, or by collaboration with other educators in person or online

The Award: Recognition at the PCTM annual conference and free registration to the conference (LINK)

 Deadline for application:  May 10, 2026