In this time when we are suppose to limit our exposure to others, indoor gatherings of friends and family are frowned upon. How is a girl supposed to celebrate the holidays with the family she loves? Especially when they are over 2500 miles away? My husband will groan, but I am suggesting gather.town. They haveContinue reading “December 20 Day 287: Holiday Gathering”
Author Archives: Jenny Quinn
December 19 Day 286: By the Numbers
286: The number of days since the University of Washington system suspended face-to-face classes on all three campuses to address concerns around a novel and rapidly spreading coronavirus. 200: The number of posts I have made to Math in the Time of Corona at this time—essentially one per day for two quarters with a summerContinue reading “December 19 Day 286: By the Numbers”
December 18 Day 285: Finally Finished
After 5 days of oral assessment, including 19 interviews between 8 am and 3:30 pm today with hardly a moment to breathe, I can report that the final assessment interviews for Autumn 2020 are finished. With more than twice as many students as last spring, I feel as if I have entered a Zoom coma.Continue reading “December 18 Day 285: Finally Finished”
December 17 Day 284: You Know It’s Been One of “Those” Days When…
…for this first time in 13.3 years, you send a reply all message to the entire school without intending to. Oops. Nobody really needed to know that. I am too tired to be embarrassed. Sending a retraction only draws attention to it. People will know it was an accident, right?
December 16 Day 283: Words of Gratitude
I am overwhelmed by the kind words I have received from students today. Some have come in email, others through the Course Management System, and some even “screen-to-screen” (since we weren’t actually face-to-face) at the end of their oral interviews. “Thanks again for the great quarter and helping me learn, and have a good day!”Continue reading “December 16 Day 283: Words of Gratitude”
December 15 Day 282: Magical Thinking or Avoidance Behavior?
Two days of oral finals completed and three days to go. Patterns from earlier in the quarter remain consistent. For some reason, students schedule interviews for the last possible minute. The number of interviews increases each day. Thank goodness the growth isn’t exponential. Is it magical thinking or avoidance behavior that motivates their scheduling? DoContinue reading “December 15 Day 282: Magical Thinking or Avoidance Behavior?”
December 14 Day 281: Ridiculous
What was the most ridiculous thing you heard today? No really, take a minute and think about it. Write it down on a scrap of paper or perhaps even reply to this post (on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, WordPress—anywhere you read the blog). I’ll wait. * * * * * * * * * * *Continue reading “December 14 Day 281: Ridiculous”
December 13 Day 280: Almost Ready
Not everything got accomplished this weekend that should have been. I just have to let that go. The important things are done. I’ve taken care of my family. I am ready to start final exam interviews tomorrow morning at 9 am. I think that is good enough.
December 12 Day 279: On Being a Good Host
When was the last time you slept in your guest bed? I must admit, it was an eye opening experience. The fold down couch in the office was not particularly comfortable. The dinosaur sheets (left from when the boys were young) were rough. My feet hung out over the edge. Our last visitor to useContinue reading “December 12 Day 279: On Being a Good Host”
December 11 Day 278: Wait is a Four Letter Word
Just when I’m thinking, “It’s Friday of the last teaching week of the quarter. I have finals to go but then there will be a brief reprieve,” everything turned upside down. While working on manuscript edits, my phone rang. It was my husband. I ignored it because my co-authors and I only had sixty minutesContinue reading “December 11 Day 278: Wait is a Four Letter Word”
Math Belongs to All of Us 