Rankin Award

The Rankin Award is designed to recognize and honor individuals for their outstanding contributions to NCCTM and to mathematics education in North Carolina.

The award, named in memory of W. W. Rankin, Professor of Mathematics at Duke University and first recipient, is the highest honor NCCTM can bestow upon an individual.

Nominations may be submitted at any time; recipients are announced each year at the State Mathematics Conference. 

For more information see the Nomination Instructions [PDF] or email the Selection Committee Chair, Emogene Kernodle, at nekernodle@yahoo.com.


2023 Rankin Award Winnera

Sandra Childrey and Ana Floyd

NCCTM is pleased to announce the recipients of the prestigious W. W. Rankin Memorial Award for Excellence in Mathematics Education, the highest honor that NCCTM can bestow upon an individual.

Sandra Childrey photoSandy Childrey began teaching high school in the late 80’s with a very challenging load, but faced it each day with a smile on her face and positive attitude. She moved on and developed a passion to teach middle grades mathematics, and she has also taught science and added certification in learning and mental disabilities.

A supporter states that when she observed Sandy’s classroom it was full of energy and engagement.  The students demonstrated a deep understanding of the mathematics being discussed and the culture of the room was one of support and encouragement.  While serving as department chair, Sandy was thinking ahead and questioned if new initiatives were reasonable for the math department and how the new initiatives would impact student learning with fidelity and with the most benefit to the students. She is a tireless student advocate and shares resources developed to keep up with IEP and 504 accommodations. 

Sandy received National Board Certification in Early Adolescence Mathematics in 1999 and has successfully renewed this certification twice. She was one of the team members who co-authored the NCTM Middle Grades Geometry Navigation book. She served several terms on the NCCTM Board of Directors and has been a frequent speaker at the state math conferences. But probably the greatest contribution to NCCTM is chairing the NCCTM Mini-grants committee, which supports teacher innovation.  During the many years of this chairmanship, the process was converted from the paper and pencil application to an electronic application.  This was accomplished very smoothly by careful planning and clear communication. One letter in support of this nomination to the Rankin Award Committee, shared the following qualities: a positive attitude, a continued professional commitment to growth, and an obvious joy of teaching. 

Ana Floyd PhotoAna Floyd is an Elementary Math Specialist for Asheboro City Schools and has been an active member of NCCTM, serving on a variety of committees and serving in many offices. She has willingly volunteered time to the NCCTM organization since entering the teaching profession and has remained a loyal and contributing member.  She has presented at each of the NCCTM conferences since 2004 as well as serving multiple times on the NCCTM Board of Directors and Executive Board. 

Ana has been a writer and collaborator on numerous state projects. She was a writer for the revised NCDPI Mathematics Strategies, the Partners grant projects, the formative assessment grant, and the TAP Math grant. The materials and professional development from these grants transformed thousands of North Carolina teachers!  She served on the standard revision team for third through fifth grade prior to the adoption of the 2018 Standard Course of Study and co-authored, reviewed, and provided feedback for the K-5 Mathematics Unpacking Documents.  She was a lead author and professional development facilitator of the fourth grade Tools4NCTeachers grant and served as a member of the North Carolina Collaborative for Mathematics Learning Instructional Framework group providing feedback and helping to determine which standards would be grouped into clusters.

The nominator states “Ana is a passionate mathematics educator and a consummate professional. One who has dedicated life’s work to helping elementary teachers understand the mathematics they are teaching, ensuring students have opportunities to reason and make sense of the mathematics they are learning, and creating resources and providing professional development that is grounded in the decades of research promoted by NCTM. Her handprint is all over elementary mathematics teaching and learning across the state of North Carolina and we are a better community of learners because of it!”


Previous Recipients

2022 Dr. Vincent Snipes and Dr. Holt Wilson
2019 Catherine Stein Schwartz
2018 Marta Garcia
2017 Martha Ray and Kitty Rutherford
2016 Bampia Bangura and Carol Midgett
2015 Wendy Rich
2014 Ron Preston, Rose Sinicrope
2013 Ray Jernigan, Julie Kolb, Dan Teague
2012 Ann Crawford, Debbie Crocker
2011 Marilyn Preddy
2010 Rebecca Caison
2009 Harold Reiter, Jane Timmerman
2008 David Royster, Jerry Taylor
2007 Ben Klein, Barbara McGill, Bill Scott
2006 Phillip Johnson, Emogene Kernodle, Bill Waters
2005 Bill McGalliard, Betty Long
2004 Randy Harter
2003 Diane Frost
2002 John Goebel, Harold Williford
2001 Ralph Willis
2000 Jan Wessellv
1999 Jane R. (Betty) Barnett, Robert Joyner, Virginia Newell
1998 Roger Bruhwel
1997 Hunter Ballew, Jacquelin Nutt, Janice Richardson
1996 Richard Haworth, Peggy Rooks
1995 Claudette Brownley, Theresa Early
1994 Gilbert Casterlow, Leo Edwards, Jr., Mary Joyce Henderson
1993 Christine W. Gantt, Joyce D. Hooker, Ron Marshall
1992 Annie Puett, Lee Stiff, Linda H. Sullivan
1991 Betty Robinson, Jeane Joyner
1990 Ralph DeVane, Jeanette Gann, Jean Taylor
1989 Elizabeth Frazier, Sue Sams, Olive Taylor
1988 Gerry Francis, Geneva Maney
1987 Ronald Hann
1986 Joseph W. Dodson, William F. Palmer, Betty Williamson
1985 Katharine Hodgin, Ruth Rufty, Katye Sowell
1984 Miriam Leiva, John W. Ogle, Emmett Sams
1982 William Paul
1981 Elaine Bologna
1980 Robert Jones, Josie Thompson
1979 Margo Perkins
1978 John Kolb, Cleo M. Meek
1977 Ruby B. Smith, Herbert E. Speece
1976 Sybil Duckett-Gambell
1975 Annie J. Williams
1974 Marjorie Brown, William W. Rankin

A Message From Our President

Karen McPherson
High School Mathematics Coach
Buncombe County Schools

You have the power to change the future of Mathematics Teaching in North Carolina.

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NCCTM Statement on Equitable Access to Quality Mathematics Instruction

Students need to experience mathematics in ways that allow them to be successful and that give them the power to change the world. This experience needs to be delivered with both excellence and equality while resonating with the lives of Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, and all marginalized peoples. Racism cannot be tolerated, and we as teachers must be vigilant that we do not tolerate nor contribute to racism, bias, hate, or violence in our classrooms.

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