IMSA Math Teacher Is Fifth to Receive Prestigious Award
For Immediate Release, June 2003
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AURORA -- Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) mathematics teacher and Aurora resident Dr. Michael Keyton recently received the Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished High School Mathematics Teaching, sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC). He is one of only 25 high school teachers in the U.S. and Canada to receive the award.
The Edyth May Sliffe Award is designed to recognize and reward outstanding teachers for their efforts in the development of mathematical talents of high school students. Nominations for the award were made by students from the 60 highest scoring American Mathematics Contest 12 (AMC12) teams in the U.S., Canada and U.S. schools abroad.
Keyton is the fifth IMSA mathematics teacher to receive the honor in the fifteen-year history of the award. Past IMSA recipients were Titu Andreescu (1994), Ron Vavrinek (1995), Dr. Micah Fogel (2001), and Dr. Steve Condie (2002).
“I am pleased to be recognized in the company of other IMSA teachers who have produced such high caliber students over the years,” Keyton said. "I am also pleased that there is recognition of the school that is carried with this and that I was nominated by our students. That's what brings this about."
Dr. Keyton began teaching at IMSA in 2000. In addition to coaching students in state and national competitions, he teaches a variety of mathematics courses at IMSA including Geometry, Differential Equations and Mathematical Investigations. He advises advanced students in independent study and is active in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Metropolitan Mathematics Club of Chicago and other state and local professional organizations.
Located in Aurora, Illinois, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an internationally-recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. More than 16,000 teachers and 23,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from IMSA's professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership and action research.