The department of mathematics at Missouri State University has much to celebrate!

At the 2021 Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) Fall Conference, Missouri State faculty Dr. Kurt (John) Killion and Dr. Gay Ragan, MSU graduate Sarah Garrison and undergraduate Rachel Heili each won recognition for excellence in education.

Explore the mathematics program at MSU

Dr. Kurt Killion, professor of mathematics

Killion received the 2021 Leroy Sachs Award.

Killion was recognized for his supervision of MCTM’s regional and state math contests, his numerous presentations at state, regional and national conferences and his continued work with policies regarding the teacher preparation programs.

The award was named in honor of Leroy Sachs, a nationally acclaimed St. Louis educator.

This award recognizes an individual who has given time, energy and expertise to benefit MCTM and to promote the improvement of mathematics education across the state of Missouri.

This is the highest honor that the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics offers to those who have given so much of themselves to Missouri mathematics.

Dr. Gay Ragan, professor of mathematics

Ragan received the 2021 Outstanding Educator Post-Secondary Award.

Ragan, professor in the mathematics department, was recognized for her numerous scholarly products, her work as a principal investigator on several grants, her leadership in the M.S. Ed. Secondary Mathematics program and her hundreds of presentations at the state, regional and national levels.

Sarah Garrison, dual credit faculty member

Garrison received the Outstanding Educator High School Award.

Garrison is a math teacher and department head at Nixa High School. She is an MSU graduate, with her B.S. in Secondary Math Education, 2003, M.S. Ed. Secondary Math, 2006 and her Elementary Math Specialist in 2020.

Garrison was recognized for her tireless work in the classroom to ensure all students experience success, for the value she places on being a life-long learner and for her work as a math coach.

Rachel Heili, mathematics senior

Heili received the 2021 Outstanding Pre-Service Teacher Award.

Heili, MSU undergraduate, graduates Dec. 17 with her B.S. Ed. in Mathematics. She will continue in the Accelerated M.S. Ed. program.

She was recognized for her work as an undergraduate research assistant and for her excellent teaching skills as demonstrated during her student teaching.

About MCTM

MCTM supports mathematics educators of all levels.

The council also strives to promote quality in instruction and to connect the greater mathematics community.

Learn more about MCTM