For many warriors of the classroom coronavirus battlefield, Spring semester is about to commence. Whether you are in person, hybrid, or remote, whether you started 5 weeks ago or will do so this week, you might be facing the coming work with a little trepidation. Remember, you are not alone. Despite the isolation, despite theContinue reading “February 7 Day 336: Once More Unto the Breach, Dear Friends, Once More”
Author Archives: Jenny Quinn
February 5 Day 334: New Adventures in #TacomaMath
#TacomaMath, the math work group of Graduate Tacoma‘s Steam Learning Network, is on a mission to promote mathematics in our community. Our goal? To positively change the culture of mathematics throughout Tacoma. The pandemic threw a wrench into our plans. We swerved and had some successes with sidewalk chalk puzzlers and open ended scavenger questsContinue reading “February 5 Day 334: New Adventures in #TacomaMath”
February 4 Day 333: By the Numbers
As a combinatorialist, I count things. I am participating in a weekly remote mindfulness training through the UW Resiliency Lab and it is a breath of fresh air, literally. Of all the practices I have learned, the one where we count the length of our inhalations and extend it by +2 on the exhalation reallyContinue reading “February 4 Day 333: By the Numbers”
February 3 Day 332: Oral Encore
We are nearing the halfway point of the quarter. Midterms are looming large. I had promised my Abstract Algebra II class that we would come to consensus on the format of the midterm. They were given several options: In class. Straightforward computations and proofs administered remotely but during class time with no advance warning ofContinue reading “February 3 Day 332: Oral Encore”
February 2 Day 331: Uplifting Moment
Dr. Talithia Williams, Happy Birthday. I was lucky enough to be talking with a mutual friend today and obtain the secret code to your birthday zoom. What a wonderful occasion! I know you as an inspiring speaker, teacher, mathematician, and statistician. To see you through the eyes of others was wondrous. Unapologetically yourself. Spiritual. Loyal.Continue reading “February 2 Day 331: Uplifting Moment”
February 1 Day 330: Actually Day 1
When I woke up this morning, I didn’t feel any different. I’ve worked with the MAA for many years in many different roles. However, today you may call me Madame President and my husband, the First Gentleman of Mathematics (but he would prefer the First Exponent). I am honored to start a two year termContinue reading “February 1 Day 330: Actually Day 1”
January 31 Day 329: Eve of a Presidency
Tomorrow I become President of the Mathematical Association of America for a two year term. What an honor! What a crazy time to take on this responsibility. First, I must publicly thank outgoing president Michael Dorff for his leadership. I realize that this last year in particular was not the presidency for which he hadContinue reading “January 31 Day 329: Eve of a Presidency”
January 30 Day 328: Kitchen Memories
At every party I have ever hosted, the kitchen is the center of the action. It has been well over a year since I have hosted such an event, but the memories are strong. My thesis advisor, Dr. Richard Brualdi, replied to a post on FB today and it started a flood of kitchen memories.Continue reading “January 30 Day 328: Kitchen Memories”
January 29 Day 327: Release
An Instapot cooks food under pressure. To get at the good stuff inside, there needs to be a release of steam. If you are patient, the release happens naturally. At other times, we hasten the process with a gentle twist of the valve—being careful not to get burned. Friday is the start of the naturalContinue reading “January 29 Day 327: Release”
January 28 Day 326: Critical Mass
I have taught this class twice before using inquiry based learning and mostly had positive experiences. This quarter, I don’t know whether it is that the class size is too small or the remote modality is causing the problem, but I am having a hard time holding the students accountable to the work. I’ve neverContinue reading “January 28 Day 326: Critical Mass”
Math Belongs to All of Us 