The Lurie Center Teaching Award
The annual Lurie Center K-14 Teaching Award has been established by the California Mathematics Council South Section in memory of Lurie Center who dedicated her career as a teacher to improving the mathematical literacy of students..
It is awarded to an K-14 classroom teacher who has demonstrated outstanding work with students of color, particularly work that has encouraged students to improve their mathematical literacy.
Note: Members of CMC-South may also qualify for The CMC State Lurie Center Scholarship. Note the different eligibility criteria for the state award.
The recipient will receive
- One-year complimentary CMC membership.
- One complimentary CMC-S conference registration.
- One complimentary Affiliate Luncheon ticket.
- One day substitute reimbursement to attend the CMC-South conference (if applicable).
- Up to $200 to reimburse associated costs of fall conference attendance, including the purchase of educational materials.
Criteria
- A full-time teacher (K-14).
- An assignment that includes students of color.
- Be a CMC member
- Demonstrated efforts inside and outside the classroom to encourage students of color to pursue high academic standards and high educational goals.
- Efforts inside and outside the classroom to provide students with mathematics enrichment.
- Participation in professional mathematics organizations and/or participation in local, regional, statewide, or national mathematics projects.
Award Background
Lurie Center, as an elementary classroom and mathematics laboratory teacher, as a mathematics resource teacher, and as President of the California Mathematics Council-South, exemplified leadership. She dedicated her teaching career to improve the mathematics literacy of students.
Lurie was an exciting, innovative, inspiring educator whose leadership extended beyond the San Diego area to state and national levels. She served on the San Diego Mathematics Project Equity Task Force, and helped to organize mathematics conferences for teachers and parents in the San Diego area. She provided staff development opportunities for teachers through the San Diego County Office of Education, and served on the Advisory Committee of the California Mathematics Project. She also worked on the development of new mathematics assessment items for the national New Standards Project. Her professional affiliations included the Greater San Diego Mathematics Council, the California Mathematics Council, the Benjamin Banneker Mathematics Association, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Most importantly, Lurie Center dedicated herself to making a positive impact on fellow African-Americans. She started the African-American Males Club at Grant Elementary School in San Diego. This club, which Lurie voluntarily directed, focused on improving the self-esteem of young African-American males and encouraging them to pursue career goals. Additionally, she served as an outstanding leader and role model for young women as they experienced the Rites of Passage of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Lurie Center's extended family of fellow mathematics educators across the country knew her well: she was a warm, outgoing, optimistic person who brought perfect strangers as well as friends into her heart. Her dedication, encouragement, and teaching expertise motivated countless students and teachers. She was a determined, inspiring, truly professional educator who always put her students first. We will all miss her warmth, humor, professionalism, and leadership. She truly inspired everyone she touched!
Ready to apply? Great!
Ready to apply? Great!
- Read the application questions here, then draft your written responses.
- Submit your written responses to this application form by the deadline for each grant or award.