Debbie J. Beineke Math Education Project

    The project has been brought to completion.  Below is a letter to donors that describes the work of the project. 

July 2004

Dear Donors,   

This letter is to inform you of the how we have completed the Debbie J. Beineke Mathematics Education Project.  This is not an appeal for additional funding, as we believe the library project will be sustained through regular university acquisitions with the creation of this collection in Debbie’s name. 

The first phase of the project was the purchase of high-end calculators and associated classroom display equipment for the teachers and students at the county alternative school here in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  This received excellent publicity in the newspaper and was most appreciated by the students, teachers, and principal. 

The second phase of the project has been the creation of a mathematics curriculum section in the Arkansas State University Library for mathematics education materials.  Almost $4,000 — the final funds from the project — will be expended to purchase these materials selected by our mathematics educators at ASU.  These will be added to Debbie’s own personal collection donated earlier this year.  What is called a plate or label is being placed in the materials in remembrance of Debbie.  I have included a copy of that plate in this letter.  Your name will be imprinted on several of these plates to honor your contribution.

 Three other events have occurred in the past few months that have served to build on Debbie’s legacy.  Dr. Julie Milligan, Debbie’s ASU graduate advisor and professor, has dedicated to Debbie her forthcoming textbook, Assessment of Giftedness: A Concise and Practical Guide from Start to Finish.  The dedication is beautifully written and speaks directly to Debbie’s professionalism and spirit.  In May of several trees in Debbie’s memory were planted in front of Annie Camp Junior High School.  The school’s choir sang, several colleagues spoke, and a number of Debbie’s former students came from the high school to pay tribute and honor her memory.  Our daughter Kaitlin and I were present.  Annie Camp Junior High School also dedicated their 2003 yearbook to Debbie with a great picture of her and a most appropriate quote related to her work and life.  All of these remembrances — textbook, trees, and yearbook — will be living memories to Debbie.

    Finally, literally each week someone mentions Debbie’s name to me in connection with her teaching, her generous spirit, or her courage in dealing with her illness.  Just last week a parent told me that her kids, now in high school, said that they remember Debbie’s openness, honesty, and courage in facing her disease.  All of these things keep Debbie’s life and memory alive for so many of us.

 Again, thank you for your generosity and all of the good work that this project has been able to accomplish with your generous gifts.

 Sincerely,

 John A. Beineke

For information about this page contact John Beineke