Ed Dickey of the University of South Carolina College of Education honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
April 6, 2016
Professor recognized for his exceptional work in mathematics education at the national level by NCTM
Benjamin Disraeli once said, “The secret to success is constancy of purpose.” For more than 30 years, Edwin “Ed” Dickey, M.S. Ph.D., mathematics professor at the University of South Carolina (U of SC) College of Education, has dedicated his purpose to the advancement of mathematics education in America. These efforts have not gone unnoticed. It is with great pleasure that the College of Education is proud to announce that Dickey will be honored with the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
“Ed’s work to advance mathematics education has been tireless, which makes him very deserving of this prestigious award,” says Lemuel Watson, Dean of the U of SC College of Education. “The high demand for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers leads to an increasingly high demand for STEM educators, currently in short supply particularly in South Carolina. It’s thanks to people like Ed who have acknowledged this shortage in our state’s and nation’s schools.”
Dickey earned his Bachelor’s Degree in mathematics from Georgetown University in 1973. He earned his Master’s and Ph.D. from U of SC in 1975 and 1982 respectively. He joined the College of Education’s faculty in 1984 after working as a mathematics teacher at Spring Valley High School in Columbia.
Dickey’s contributions to mathematics education advancement include the preparation of teachers to make effective use of technology in schools, increasing technology for teaching and learning mathematics, and improving distance learning related to technology and mathematics education. He has taught courses and supervised student teachers and prepared 15 doctoral students at U of SC. Nationally, he has provided leadership and scholarship to NCTM and other organizations through publications and professional development. Most recently, Dickey spearheaded the “Teach Science and Mathematics” initiative within the College of Education to increase the number of students enrolled to become science or math teachers. The campaign received national recognition and won the 2015 Palmetto Award from IABC for most creative digital media.
Current Lower Richland High School math teacher and former student of Dickey’s, Tyesha Deas said, “It is no surprise to me that Dr. Dickey is being honored with this esteemed recognition. As my professor, mentor, and now fellow colleague, I have seen first-hand the positive influence he has in mathematics education in our state. With an unwavering dedication to advance students and teachers, Dr. Dickey truly embodies all that is good in the teaching profession.”
Dickey is one of two recipients who will be awarded the NCTM Lifetime Achievement Award. The ceremony will take place at the 2016 NCTM Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Francisco as part of the Opening Session on April 13. His nomination was initiated by his colleagues and students at UofSC and supported by letters from leading mathematics educators.
“Ed Dickey was selected for this prestigious award based on his lifetime of exceptional service to mathematics education, ” said National Council of Teachers of Mathematics President, Diane Briars. “His longtime commitment to excellence in mathematics education is widely recognized and appreciated by his students and colleagues alike.”
For more information on the Teach Science and Mathematics campaign, please visit www.teachscienceandmath.org.
