Christian R. Hirsch, Western Michigan University
The Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics Executive Board is pleased to honor Dr. Christian R. Hirsch as the 2007 recipient of the MCTM Outstanding Achievement Award. Chris Hirsch has devoted his career to the improvement of mathematics education in Michigan and in the nation. His stellar accomplishments make him richly deserving of MCTM's highest recognition.

Christian R. Hirsch is currently the James H. Powell Professor of Mathematics at Western Michigan University. He earned both his B.A. (1966) and his Ph.D. (1972) in mathematics (with specialization in mathematics education) from the University of Iowa.

Dr. Hirsch is probably best known for his leadership in and innovative thinking about secondary school mathematics curriculum. For over a decade, he has led the Core-Plus curriculum development project which was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in 1999 as an "exemplary mathematics program." Core-Plus is widely acknowledged as one of the best, and probably the most accessible, "reform" mathematics curriculum at the secondary school level. Chris is now extending his influence on mathematics curriculum through his work as co-PI of the NSF-funded Center for the Study of Mathematics Curriculum.

Chris has been active in working with mathematics teachers through several professional development endeavors within the state, most notably his Making Mathematics Accessible to All initiative from 1992-1997, through the preparation of the secondary school level NCTM Standards Addenda series books and workshops, and through the numerous workshops associated with the dissemination of the original and revised versions of the Core-Plus curriculum.

Chris has a distinguished record of leadership, service and achievement within both NCTM and MCTM. Chris served on the NCTM Board of Directors (1993-1996), was co-chair of the program committee for the NCTM regional conference held in Michigan; was editor of the "activities" section of the Mathematics Teacher and four NCTM yearbooks; and chaired the secondary school writing group for the NCTM Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics (1989).

Chris served as President of MCTM (1988-1989). Prior to that he sat on numerous committees, authored two MCTM monographs, was 4-year College Vice President, served on the Executive Subcommittee of the Board, and chaired the program committee for the 38th annual MCTM conference in 1987. In recognition of his exceptional service to MCTM Chris was awarded the Mathematics Service Award in 1993.

Dr. Hirsch has authored over 100 published articles and books, has been a frequent speaker at both NCTM and MCTM conferences, has served on numerous national and statewide task forces and committees related to mathematics education, and has garnered over $25 million in funding from the National Science Foundation and the Michigan Department of Education to direct projects that impact mathematics teaching and learning in Michigan and around the nation.

For nearly 35 years Chris has worked to improve mathematics education by supporting the daily work of teachers with innovative curricula and powerful instructional tools that are needed to "teach for understanding." His contributions have helped to define a curriculum and an approach to high school mathematics instruction that is accessible for more students and that gives real promise to the aspiration of helping all students acquire a solid core of important mathematics. Dr. Hirsch's vision of, and belief in, mathematics instruction that can promote equitable success for all students has inspired many Michigan educators. Honoring Dr. Hirsch makes a strong statement that teaching for understanding is indeed an attainable goal.

---