2018 - Dr. Peter Liljedahl, of Simon Fraser University, is this year’s recipient of the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education. 

The adjudication committee were struck with the reach of Peter’s innovations across all sectors of the mathematics education community. Writers of supporting letters attested to his excellence as a teacher; the value of Peter’s support of mathematics educators K - 12, and Peter’s contributions to providing opportunities for all students to achieve, observe, and experience mathematics in a thoughtful and significant way.  As one support letter noted:

“I have been witness to Peter’s positive influence at all levels of mathematics education: elementary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and teacher education.” 

Now Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at Simon Fraser University, Peter Liljedahl began his career in mathematics education as a Mathematics and Physics teacher for grades 8 - 12 at a school in Vancouver. Peter’s research interests are as wide-ranging as his influence: creativity and discovery in mathematics teaching and learning; affect; beliefs; classroom practice; professional growth of teachers; numeracy; instructional design, assessment in mathematics; student learning behavior (studenting); interactions between students in collaboration; teacher tensions; building thinking classrooms. It is Peter’s work on building thinking classrooms for which he is most recognized across the mathematics education community, and the terms “visibly random groupings” and “vertical non-permanent surfaces” have reached mathematics educators far and wide. Part of his reach is through hundreds of research papers, articles, books, book chapters, seminars, and presentations. 

His leadership within mathematics education organizations includes the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group, the British Columbia Association of Mathematics Teachers, and the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education. His support of mathematics education includes editorial responsibilities for the International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, Education Studies in Mathematics, The Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education. Yet, many attest to his generosity, approachability, and general attentiveness to the needs of his students, colleagues, and the larger mathematics education community.  “Far from being an ivory tower academic, Peter is involved in the mathematics education community at a grass roots level,” says his nominator.  

Photograph by Marianne Meadahl.