Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The purpose of the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics is to stimulate an active interest in mathematics, to provide an interchange of ideas in the teaching of mathematics, to promote the improvement of mathematics education in Virginia, to provide leadership in the professional development of teachers, to provide resources for teachers and to facilitate cooperation among mathematics organizations at the local, state and national levels.
History of the Organization
In 1973 a leadership conference for NCTM affiliate groups across the state of Virginia was held as part of the Annual State Department of Education Mathematics Conference. Out of that group an umbrella committee for the NCTM affiliates was formed. The purpose of the committee was to serve as a coordinating council for the mathematics education groups in Virginia at that time. The coordinating activities included (1) determining non-conflicting dates for the groups, (2) planning joint enterprises, and (3) assisting teachers in areas of Virginia not served by affiliate groups. At that time it was decided to develop a "newsletter of substance and quality" from which today's Virginia Mathematics Teacher Journal was born. By 1975, this coordinating committee along with representatives of local organizations decided it was time to become affiliated with NCTM and the statewide organization was called the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The first annual conference was held March 18-19, 1976 in Richmond. At that meeting, the constitution was amended and adopted, and the first officers of the organization were elected.