Evelyn Silvia, professor of mathematics at the University of California, Davis, has won the nation's highest award for university-level math teaching. The prestigious Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics will be presented during the Joint Mathematics Meetings in New Orleans, Jan. 10-13. Students need to learn to read, write and talk math, according to Silvia. Her aim is to help students "dig deeper and reach higher" to achieve their goals in mathematics. The Mathematical Association of America presents the Haimo award to up to three recipients each year. Recognized as the highest award in university-level mathematics teaching, the award honors extraordinarily successful educators whose teaching effectiveness has had influence beyond their own institutions. Awardees should foster curiosity and generate excitement about mathematics in their students, according to background information from the MAA. Silvia has been deeply involved in mathematics education since joining UC Davis in 1973. Her work has emphasized curriculum development and teacher training at all levels. She was a principal investigator with the Northern California Math Project and is currently working to help schools meet new California state requirements in algebra teaching.