Dr. Angelique Ramnarine, center, is presented with the Shulimson Founder’s Award. Also pictured are, from left, Joy McCamey, Kristina McClure, Belinda Lee, Twyler Boykin, Sandy Cole and Veronica Nash.
A senior lecturer in math at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Angelique Ramnarine actually asked to take on an extra load of more responsibility.
She wanted to be a teacher in the Upward Bound Math Science program at the Center for Community Education at UTC, whose goal is to help local high school students develop the abilities to excel in math and science and encourage them to pursue college degrees and careers in those subjects.
For that effort, Ramnarine was selected for the 2020 Gail Shulimson Founder’s Award. In the nomination letter for the award, Ramnarine is described as “dependable and is committed to seeing our students succeed.”
“She is a great teacher, supporting what students are learning in school, and introducing them to new concepts throughout the summer,” the letter continues. “Even after students have completed the UBMS program, she is still willing to support. She checks up on our graduates who attend UTC. She has also met with students attending other institutions when they have asked for help.”
Ramnarine says learning is more than just facts and figures taught in class.
“I desire that my students not only learn the mathematics from class but, more importantly, develop confidence in their abilities to attain success,” Ramnarine says. “Knowing that I played a small role in their journey toward achieving their potential as citizens within our community is worth the time and effort that I put in to develop materials that support interactive and effective learning.”
Ramnarine’s nomination letter notes that her dedication to her students doesn’t stop after they finish the Upward Bound program.
“Even after students have completed the UBMS program, she is still willing to support. She checks up on our graduates who attend UTC. She has also met with students attending other institutions when they have asked for help.”
In 1980, Shulimson created the center and the award named after her recognizes those who support its mission with the same devotion and dedication that she did. The award is given to an individual whether they work on campus or off.
In the past, the Shulimson award has been given to John Goetz, an aide to former U.S. senator and Chattanooga mayor Bob Corker, former Dean of the College of Health and Human Performance Mary Tanner and Rebecca Suttles, director of scholarships for the Community Foundation of Chattanooga.
I am proud of Angelique’s accomplishment. Thank you for your dedication to helping student learn math and learn to LOVE math! I know the impact that programs such as Upward Bound can have on students as I was an exchange student to the program at UT in the 1990s.