Jenny Quinn

December 8 Day 640: The Key is Flexibility

It’s the last class meeting of the quarter and students presented their projects in small groups. I reserved three study spaces/meeting rooms that were in close proximity to each other. Everyone had the schedule, the presentation rubric, and knew when and where they had to be. It felt like attending a mini-conference. I’m glad thatContinue reading “December 8 Day 640: The Key is Flexibility”

December 4 Day 636: The Wisdom of Presidents

Today in the White House Visitor’s Center, I spied these words from Chester A. Arthur. Little did he know that these words would be relevant to every person living through the 2020-2021 Corona Virus Lockdown. I was grateful for the chance to explore my country’s capital on a beautiful fall Saturday before flying home toContinue reading “December 4 Day 636: The Wisdom of Presidents”

December 3 Day 635: Mathematics, Art, and Long Distant Friends

Today I participated in the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences meeting, held at 600 Pennsylvania Ave. While planned as a hybrid meeting, most participants chose to attend in person. So much so, that the space was too crowded. But it was delightful regardless. People who had been collaborating virtually for more than a yearContinue reading “December 3 Day 635: Mathematics, Art, and Long Distant Friends”

December 2 Day 634: Ups and Downs

There were so many times things started to go wrong today and in the end, everything worked out just fine. I got up early to take the morning flight from SEA to DCA. The highway was crowded. Cars were moving at a crawl. I wasn’t worried, because I always allow for plenty of extra time.Continue reading “December 2 Day 634: Ups and Downs”

December 1 Day 633: Suspicions Confirmed

I was curious after my last post, so I asked. None of my students knew the 80s sitcom Cheers. One politely inquired “What was it about?” Another responded, “I think it was like Friends but in a bar.” Instead, we found common TV viewing experiences watching Blues Clues. The consensus was that Steve was theContinue reading “December 1 Day 633: Suspicions Confirmed”

November 29 Day 631: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

It was a “Cheers” moment in class. I was relaying the predictions about attendance prior to the Thanksgiving break and made an offhand comment that the same people were present today. While the number in the room was the same, a few students looked around and noticed that a regular, let’s call him “Norm,” wasContinue reading “November 29 Day 631: Where Everybody Knows Your Name”

November 28 Day 630: Planes and Trains

I am thankful for modern transportation that allowed my sons to visit for the brief Thanksgiving holiday. It was grand to have the family together again. This morning they are traveling back to their respective colleges, one by air and one by land. Safe journeys sons. I’m looking forward to Winter break already.

November 24 Day 626: Drumroll Please

The predictions are in. Class is over. Overall the respondents were highly pessimistic. Here is a sampling of responses: . . The number of attendees was…. . . . . . Wait for it…… . . . . . . . . . . . In-person: 12 studentsRemote attendance: 6 students. Photographic Evidence that theyContinue reading “November 24 Day 626: Drumroll Please”

November 24 Day 626: Make Your Prediction Now

It’s the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and I have class at 1:30 pm. On Monday my class of 28 had 12 in person participants and 3 remote participants. How many do you think will be here today? This is the downside to recording lectures. It makes it too easy to stay home and watch it laterContinue reading “November 24 Day 626: Make Your Prediction Now”