Highlights from the 25th AMTE Annual Conference Held Virtually

February 11-13 & 18-20, 2021, AMTE hosted our 25th Annual Conference and the first virtual conference with 700 registered attendees. More than 440 presenters provided 173 sessions! The poster session was available on Flipgrid February 11-20; presenters’ videos of the 28 posters allowed them and attendees to engage in online discussions throughout these dates. There were opportunities to visit and catch up with colleagues and meet new ones during social events and the newly formed Community Circles. (Link to conference videos)

On the first Thursday, Marrielle Myers of Kennesaw State University and AMTE Board member facilitated a panel discussion among Joel Amidon, University of Mississippi, Sandra Crespo, Michigan State University, and Naomi Jessup, Georgia State University, in the Opening Session “2020 Perfect Vision? Perfect Hindsight? Are we ready to Reimagine Mathematics Teacher Education?” The conversation was insightful, reflective, and propelled us as we engaged in sessions throughout the conference. 

On Saturday of Week 1, Dorothy White of the University of Georgia was awarded the first Karen D. King Excellence in Advocacy award. Her presentation, “Each One, Reach Once: Embracing Advocacy Work in Mathematics Education”, inspired, engaged, and challenged us as mathematics teacher educators. Some of the many quotes from her presentation included: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and “What brings you joy?”

The second Thursday, Marta Civil of the University of Arizona gave the Judith E. Jacobs Lecture. Judith Jacobs introduced Marta whose presentation “What Does It Mean to be a Mathematics Teacher Educator?” shared what it takes to do authentic work in communities with families. We thank all of these keynote speakers for sharing their time and their expertise with those attending this year’s conference.

During the conference, vendors provided materials and information of interest to members through a weekly break session where Conference Committee member Ray LaRochelle guided attendees in self-selecting vendors in breakout rooms. Gold Sponsors included CPM Educational Program, Maier Math Foundation, and Information Age Publishing. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics was a Silver Sponsor. Other exhibitors included NCSM: Leadership in Mathematics Education, Great Minds - Eureka Math, TODOS: Mathematics for ALL!, and Kendall Hunt. We thank each of these sponsors and exhibitors for contributing to the success of this conference.

At the Business Meeting on the first Friday, President Mike Steele facilitated the meeting with the first pre-recording by Division leaders for their reports and recognitions. Following the meeting, Suzanne Harper lead us in a fun game of answering AMTE historical questions.

We encourage members to make plans to attend the 26th Annual AMTE Conference, which will be held at the Hilton Lake Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 10-12, 2022. Please see an announcement about the Call for Proposals on the AMTE website. 

Thanks to all who attended this year’s first virtual conference and to all who helped deliver the conference. The planning and logistical details for the first virtual conference required the coordinated efforts of the Conference Committee led by Colleen Eddy and the Program Committee led by Rick Hudson, as well as Shari Stockero, Executive Director, the Professional Learning Division leaders led by Jennifer Suh, and the AMTE Board led by President Mike Steele and future President Megan Burton.

See you in Las Vegas, Nevada in February 2022!