Early in life, Cliff Bara left his native Chicago and moved to Missoula to pursue a doctoral degree in botany at the University of Montana. The move left behind a potential career as a rock and roll musician – members of Cliff’s Chicago-based band, who once opened for Neil Diamond, would go on to become REO Speedwagon. Cliff soon left botany to pursue a career as a high school mathematics and science teacher. He was hired first in Dutton, next in Harrison and finally, in 1985, in Troy. He would stay there for the next 35 years, retiring in 2020.

Across his many years of service Cliff regularly took on extra duty. He started and ran a Science Club that regularly took students from Troy on week-long camping outings to visit Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park and Freezeout Lake. He was involved in drama (fitting for a former rock star) and even helped direct several plays at Troy High School. The school is not a big one, so, Cliff also acted and he was often cast as the villain. He served as the “Voice of the Troy Trojans” for over 20 years, putting his booming voice to work announcing for both basketball and volleyball games.  In addition to teaching at Troy, he also worked as an instructor at Flathead Valley Community College where he would meet Mary Anne Drury who would become the middle school math teacher in Troy and also his wife. Cliff’s dedication and commitment did not go unnoticed, Cliff was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 1999 – the highest honor bestowed upon math and science teachers in the United States.

Early in his career, Cliff was elected to the board of directors for the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM). He was later elected as president and soon thereafter became treasurer. Cliff went on to serve as MCTM’s treasurer for well over 20 years. During this time, he impeccably balanced the budget, he took take care of taxes and he maintained the council’s nonprofit status. He was also an active member of the board and served as a reservoir of institutional memory, often sharing important historical lessons that, without his presence, would have been overlooked or unknown. Cliff supported the work of the council by regularly sharing his expertise. He wrote newsletter articles, gave talks at the Educators’ Conference, and served as a state delegate at the NCTM Annual Conference Caucus. He helped lead other efforts that supported mathematics education in Montana. He was a member of the Integrating Mathematics Programs and Computer Technology (IMPACT) Grant that first brought computers to math classrooms. He was a curriculum writer for the Systemic Initiative for Montana Mathematics and Science (SIMMS) Grant which introduced a revolutionary modeling-based curriculum to mathematics classrooms around Montana. Finally, he served on many governmental committees including the OPI Task Force for Standards Revision where he helped craft the state’s curriculum goals in mathematics.

It is clear that Cliff’s record meets both of the requirements for nomination for the Dean Prebble Award. Cliff’s record of achievement demonstrates a significant level of contributions to the teaching and learning of mathematics – his commitment was long and dedicated and varied. Cliff’s record also demonstrates a substantial record of statewide leadership – serving as an integral member of the leadership of the council for many years while also contributing to special projects. It is clear to the council that Cliff has earned the recognition associated with the Dean Prebble Award and the council is happy to name him as this year’s award winner.