Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics - Mission, Vision, Core Values

Mission, Vision, and Core Values

The OCTM Board of Directors created and adopted the statements below during a strategic planning process in the summer of 2020. These ideas guide all aspects of the work of the organization.

Mission Statement: Engage, Inspire, Empower with Mathematics!

OCTM does this by:

Supporting the growth of mathematics educators
Promoting diversity and equity through inclusive structures and practices that promote access to mathematics for all students and educators

Vision Statement: We envision a world where everyone is enthused about mathematics, sees the value and beauty of mathematics, and is empowered by the opportunities mathematics affords.

As part of an interconnected world, our work extends beyond our state borders. As such, OCTM has adopted the vision statement of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Core Values and Principles: OCTM believes diversity, effective teaching practices, and opportunities to learn and grow are critical to the work of our organization.

As a result, we will:

For our organization

Diversity

Value, welcome, and seek out diversity among our leadership and membership of our organization.

Effective Teaching Practices

Value and continually lift up teachers' voices in our organization and in the state of Ohio.
Provide spaces for teachers to share their knowledge and experiences.

Opportunities to Learn and Grow

Develop current and future mathematics education leadership in and for the state of Ohio.

For the mathematics teaching profession in Ohio

Diversity

Collaborate with colleges and universities to seek out, recruit and support a diverse group of prospective teachers to enter mathematics education.

Effective Teaching Practices

Advocate for research-based, student-centered teaching that values and builds on students’ strengths, that are culturally relevant, and that use mathematics to expand professional opportunities, understand and critique the world, and experience the joy, wonder, and beauty of mathematics.

Opportunities to Learn and Grow

Provide opportunities for teachers to engage with mathematics and mathematics teaching and learning to “experience the wonder, joy and beauty of mathematics”¹ for their professional and personal growth.
Advocate for equitable, high-quality professional development that centers teachers as professionals.

For PreK-12+ math classrooms in Ohio

Diversity

Work to challenge and abolish structures that have oppressed certain groups of students historically and currently (e.g., tracking).
Encourage underrepresented and marginalized populations of students to pursue careers in mathematics and mathematics teaching.
Promote participation in meaningful interest-based mathematics programs and courses.

Effective Teaching Practices

Advocate for classrooms that value and build on all students’ strengths, that are culturally relevant, and that use mathematics to expand professional opportunities, understand and critique the world, and experience the joy, wonder, and beauty of mathematics¹.

Opportunities to Learn and Grow

Promote access to high-quality, rigorous mathematics classrooms for all students.

¹These three purposes are borrowed from NCTM’s Catalyzing Change in High School Mathematics (2018, p. 9) and are also identified in NCTM’s Catalyzing Change books for elementary and middle school.

OCTM is an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

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