The purpose of the Dr. Lee Stiff Instructional Leader of Mathematics Teaching Award is to recognize and reward an individual at the district or school level who has made an outstanding and noteworthy contribution to mathematics education and NCCTM by working directly with classroom teachers to improve student learning of mathematics. This individual may support classroom teachers through coaching, professional development, demonstration lessons, and/or the development of curriculum materials and resources.  Nominations may be submitted at any time.  

Nomination Instructions and Form (PDF)

Questions? Contact Ana Floyd, Asheboro City Schools [afloyd@asheboro.k12.nc.us].

2024 Recipient

Margaret (Meg) McKee

Meg has worked in Buncombe County Schools for 30 years, and currently serves as the Lead District Math Coach. During Meg’s career, she has spent 20 years as a district-level math coach. She has had an immense and far-reaching impact on the students, teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators in the district. Meg has worked with teachers during grade level PLCs to unpack standards, analyze and enhance lessons, push beliefs and perspectives, construct assessments, and analyze student data for strengths and next steps. She has an extensive understanding of how children learn mathematics and works tirelessly to help teachers and students. One colleague commented, "Meg builds relationships with teachers. Teachers express their complete trust in Meg as a thought partner and coach who has the best mathematical interests of the students at the center of her coaching moves. Individual teachers benefit from her calm, thoughtful reflection and ability to help them see ways to improve in their craft."

As a district math coach, Meg also mentors the instructional coaches that serve the district's 27 elementary and intermediate schools. Instructional coaches look to Meg for guidance on working with their teachers, planning professional learning at the school level, and problem solving through barriers and challenges. Additionally, Meg communicates and collaborates with school and district level leadership, including superintendents, administrators, and specialists who regularly rely on her expertise and vision for the district and their schools. This past year, she organized and facilitated a year-long textbook adoption, as well as intentional professional learning for all K-6 teachers in Buncombe County Schools. She helped to construct the math core document that guided all curriculum, instruction, environment, and data analysis for a common vision and enactment of math instruction.

Meg's service to the math community extends beyond Buncombe County. She has engaged in multiple state-wide initiatives that contributed to the success of mathematics learning and instruction in our state. For example, she helped to revise the NCSCOS for Elementary Mathematics in 2016 and create third grade resources for the Tools4Teachers website in 2018.

One of her colleagues wrote, "Ms. McKee is passionate about math education, and she cares deeply about preparing students for the future. Her actions demonstrate this passion. She is a strong advocate for all students and believes in the genius of every child. She is a collaborative leader and excels at bringing teams together with a can-do attitude to unpack the story behind data, and then leverage that data story as a catalyst for change."

Previous Recipients

2023 Solomon Willis
2022 Laura Baker