Jean Springer facts for kids
Jean Springer is a brilliant Jamaican academic who has spent most of her career teaching and studying mathematics in Canada. She was a professor of math at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, and is known for her work in a special area of math called abstract algebra.
Jean Springer's Early Life and Education
Jean Springer was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on September 12, 1939. Her parents were both schoolteachers who taught math and physics, so it's no surprise she became interested in science! She was taught at home until she was six years old. After that, she attended Wolmer's High School for Girls and then went to the University of West Indies at Mona.
When she first started university, Jean began studying medicine. However, she soon realized her true passion was for numbers and the world of science. She switched her studies and graduated with a B.Sc. degree in mathematics and physics. She was such an excellent student that she was even named "Student of the Year"!
Jean Springer later married an engineer from Trinidad and became a mother to three children.
Jean Springer's Career in Mathematics
Jean Springer began her career as a science teacher in Trinidad, working at Naparima College and Point Fortin College. Later, she and her husband moved to Vancouver, Canada. There, her husband continued his engineering studies, and Jean earned her M.Sc. degree from Simon Fraser University.
They eventually made their home in Calgary, where Jean continued her advanced studies. She earned her doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in pure mathematics from the University of Calgary. Her special research was about how certain mathematical structures behave, which is a very advanced topic in math!
Before joining Mount Royal University, Jean Springer taught at the University of Calgary and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. She then found her long-term home in the Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering at Mount Royal University. She took on many important leadership roles there, serving as the head of her department and even as the dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology. She also led the Alberta Women's Science Network, helping to encourage more women to get involved in science.
After a long and successful career, Jean Springer retired as a professor emeritus. This special title is given to professors who have retired but are still highly respected for their contributions to their field.
