We are proud to announce that Edwin “Ed” Dickey, M.S., PhD., mathematics professor at The College of Education at the University of South Carolina, will be honored with the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
Dr. Dickey is one of two recipients who will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Francisco this April. His colleagues and students at USC nominated him, and the nomination recieved support 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."
Dr. Dickey has spent more than 30 years as a mathematics professor in the College of Education, where he has dedicated his purpose to the advancement of mathematics education in America.
“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 College. “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 acknowledge this shortage in our state’s and nation’s schools.”
Dr. Dickey earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Georgetown University in 1973. He earned his master’s and Ph.D. from USC 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.
Dr. 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. Over his career, he has taught numerous courses, supervised student teachers, and prepared 15 doctoral students at USC.
Nationally, he has provided leadership and scholarship to NCTM and other organizations through publications and professional development. Most recently, Dr. Dickey spearheaded the Teach Science and Mathematics initiative to increase the number of students enrolled to become science or math teachers. The campaign received national recognition and won the 2015 Palmetto Award of Excellence from South Carolina International Association of Business Communications (IABC) for most creative digital media.
Tyesha Deas, who is currently a Lower Richland High School math teacher and a former student of Dr. Dickey, 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.”