Giny Christensen, The Mildred Bennett Elementary Math Education Award

The Mildred Bennett Elementary Math Education Award is given to an elementary or middle school teacher who has shown a spirit of joy and work ethic which promote quality mathematics education for all children; an innovative approach in taking ideas and adapting them; exemplary work in his or her own school; commitment of time and energy to improve teaching in his or her community; and support and promotion of mathematics throughout the state.

At this years’ Oregon Math Leaders Conference, Brent Freeman introduced Giny Christensen as this year’s award recipient. His introductory speech follows…

Each year, when we name the winners of the Oscar Schaaf and Mildred Bennett awards, to some degree, we infer that the awardees are made from the same mold as those for whom the award is named. In that light, I think it is important to reflect for a second upon the career of one of these two Oregon math giants and comment on her contributions. This context is important as it ties us, and these awards, to a really rich tradition of excellence. It also calls for those of us who witness these awards to aspire to carry on that tradition.

Mildred Bennett was a professor at Portland State University. During her career, her trademarks were humility, humor and innovation. She gave tirelessly to her students and her profession throughout her career. Her career was marked by great insight into how people learn mathematics and how to motivate them by appealing to their need to make sense out of the math they were learning. In addition teaching, mentoring and inspiring scores of future and present math teachers, Mildred also created and taught after-school and weekend math programs for inner-city kids. She is also well known as a creator of math lessons, games, and materials. In 1992, in recognition of her many contributions to the Oregon Math Community, OCTM created the Mildred Bennett Award, to acknowledge the efforts of an individual who exemplifies the continuation of Mildred’s work.

Our awardee tonight has certainly done just that. The specifics are different; a different location, different grade levels, different career choices. But, the spirit is the same, and the impact the contribution is equally significant.

I’m going to venture to guess that, when our awardee began her teaching career a few years ago, her goals were pretty simple…she just wanted the kids in her classroom to learn. I doubt that she set a goal to become a regional and state leader in math education. I doubt that she said to herself, someday I want to:

be Vice President of OCTM, or

be President of OCTM, or

be OCTM’s representative to NCTM, or

be the Area 7 rep to OCTM, or

be a mentor to numerous teachers, or

present countless workshops for teachers and para-professionals, or

help re-write state math standards, or

be a Scoring Director for Math Problem Solving, or

lead groups of teachers in writing items for state tests, or

be a chairperson for the Oregon Math Leaders Conference, or

serve as a member of our state’s Math Content Panel, or

be named teacher of the years on more than one occasion, or

serve on numerous local, regional and state committees and panels, or

facilitate OCTM’s Professional Development Cadre, or

be awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science

Teaching, or

be awarded the Mildred Bennett Award.

Yet, our awardee, GINY CHRISTENSEN, did all of those things…and more. She did all of this because she saw a need…and she filled it. Giny Christensen is a “doer.” She is a giver. And, she is a servant. She has served her community, her students, her profession, and her colleagues. She is also a person of vision, playing a major role in shaping the paths taken by our profession in the state of Oregon.

Yet another characteristic that I think of when I think of Giny is that of a questioner. As a life-long learner, Giny wants things to make sense and asks questions when they don’t. Whether it’s a math concept, or an action taken by ODE (Oregon Department of Education) or OCTM (the Oregon Council of Teachers of Mathematics). As is the case in the classroom, everyone benefits when someone asks a good question. The Oregon Math Community is stronger today because of Giny’s need and willingness to ask good questions.

I want to point out that Giny has done all of the aforementioned things and worn all of the aforementioned hats while also doing a great job in the classroom. Just ask any kid or parent that had the good fortune to be assigned to Mrs. C’s class.

Finally, it’s important to note that all of the accomplishments were completed with humility, grace, integrity, and with humor… just like Mildred Bennett. Giny exemplifies all of those lofty qualities that you find mentioned in scout oaths: she’s trustworthy, honest, helpful, responsible, fair, loyal, kind, cheerful, and caring. Young teachers out there couldn’t ask for a better role model. We’re blessed to count her as a colleague and I’m blessed to call her my friend… Giny Christensen, this year’s Mildred Bennett Awardee.

As you can see, Giny is quite an individual who has worked tirelessly to share her love of mathematics with her students and colleagues. She began this endeavor at 4 years old when she would play school complete with student desks with ink wells from the elementary school across the street to her own library with new books carefully catalogued. Giny’s ability to ask questions has gotten interesting responses. One from Mike Gould was “My God, you ask a lot of questions” to which she willingly replies, “I was never taught this so you’ll just have to teach me.” It is that attitude that has carried Giny throughout her career and has influenced not only her own learning and teaching, but her work with teachers across the state of Oregon. Giny currently works for the Sutherlin School District at West Intermediate School teaching 6^th grade. Her district and her school staff have been incredibly supportive and always willing to allow her to work for the State in whatever capacity. Giny credits them for their support and states, “I did not do this alone, they were there through it all.” Giny has also received huge support, both professionally and personally, from her long time colleagues and friends Brent Freeman, Mike Gould, and Cathy Brown.

Giny’s husband, Regi, has been a strong support throughout her career as well. Both have been serving in education together since their careers started and have loved every minute. Giny and Regi have two daughters, Olivia and Abby, whom Giny credits with keeping her real. To her and Regi’s credit, both Olivia and Abby are teachers! In addition, both Olivia and Abby’s husbands are in careers of service. Olivia’s husband, Beau, is a teacher, and Abby’s husband, Zeke, is a Coast Guard Lieutenant.