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.