The Betsy Carter Memorial Award for Mathematics Leadership is presented annually at the Connecticut Council of Leaders of Mathematics (CCLM) meeting. The recipient must reflect the spirit of Betsy Carter, exhibiting outstanding leadership and contribution to the mathematics education community in the state of Connecticut. The recipient must exemplify similar characteristics that Betsy demonstrated as an outstanding mathematics educator and leader.

The following are examples of Betsy Carter and Superintendent Austin’s contribution to the mathematics education community:

Outstanding mathematics educator who epitomizes the meaning of lifelong learning and a growth mindset

A passionate and compassionate leader and advocate for excellence in mathematics education across the state of Connecticut

Mathematics curriculum leader and author of instructional materials

Leadership and Lead presenter at NCTM, ATOMIC, CCLM, and ASCD over four decades.

From John Keogh, Past President and Betsy Carter Award Winner

It is my pleasure to introduce Susan Austin, our Betsy Carter Award for Mathematics Leadership winner for 2023. Susan has had a major influence in mathematics and STEM education through her forty plus years as an accomplished, visionary educational leader. She spent the first 15 years of her career as a secondary math teacher working for New Canaan Public Schools, and still considers herself as a teacher at heart. She then became New Canaan’s Mathematics Coordinator, a role she held for four years while earning her 092 certification in Supervision and Curriculum development at Southern Connecticut State University. In this role, she led the successful implementation of the Investigations in Data, Number, and Space, one of the most progressive elementary mathematics programs at that time. She was then promoted to Assistant Principal of New Canaan’s East Elementary School and in 2002 became Principal of Monroe’s Stepney Elementary School, where I first met Susan through my relationship with math coach Holly Cyr. She then moved to Stamford as Associate Superintendent for 17 months where I was fortunate enough to work for her providing professional development to middle and high school teachers. She then took on the role of Assistant Superintendent for Groton Public Schools where she was a perfect fit being the daughter of a career military man. Here our paths crossed again when Susan spearheaded the first ever combined CCLM/ATOMIC event, a dine/discuss event where Dr Cathy Fosnot and I were the presenters. In January of 2021 she ascended to the role of Superintendent of Groton. She considers a few of her many achievements as superintendent her support for middle and high school STEAM, International Baccalaureate, and Career Pathways program to enhance 21st century skills as well as the acquisition of several major competitive and formula grants that enabled her to financially support measures to meet the needs of all kids while significantly improving student achievement.