You were just awarded your degrees virtually. It’s just not the same as sitting in the Tacoma Dome and clapping as you cross the stage. It has been my pleasure to work with you at UW Tacoma. You did an amazing job pivoting capstone presentations to virtual presentations with no warning in March and youContinue reading “June 13 Day 97: Congratulations Mathematics Majors of 2020”
Category Archives: community
June 6 Day 90: We Are Math Club
What does Math Club do at its last official meeting of the academic year? Nominate a slate of officers for the coming year. Plan a “drive by” celebration to: congratulate the graduating seniors; announce the results of the officer election; distribute math awards; and see friends at-a-distance-but-in-real-life for the first time in too long. ThinkContinue reading “June 6 Day 90: We Are Math Club”
June 2 Day 86: Amplify Their Voices
I am listening. I am learning. I see your pain, your fear, and your burden. Black Lives Matter. I must do better. And I’m still sorry. https://www.nctm.org/News-and-Calendar/News/NCTM-News-Releases/A-Statement-on-George-Floyd,-Breonna-Taylor,-and-Ahmaud-Arbery/
June 1 Day 85: Puzzles and Play
I have four more days of remote teaching this quarter, not including final exams. It has been a long haul since this journey began March 9 but I see the finish line within my sights and I can keep pushing through to the end. It can be hard to concentrate through isolation and the currentContinue reading “June 1 Day 85: Puzzles and Play”
May 31 Day 84: See It Now? AKA Zooming Out
On May 29, I posted beautiful and strange images, asking if you could identify them. Find the results below. Each gallery starts with the original image and adds one or two more images to show the original subject more clearly. All pictures were taken with my iPhones over the years.
May 30 Day 83: I’m Sorry
Originally, I was planning to write this post about the cancellation of MathFest 2020. It was the right decision for all kinds of reasons and I am sorry its loss. Yet it seems so insignificant compared to the events in Minneapolis. I keep flipping to the news—alternately feeling outrage and guilt but always sorrow. IContinue reading “May 30 Day 83: I’m Sorry”
May 28 Day 81: Celebrations Both Belated and Virtual
Tonight we celebrated the achievements of the University of Washington Tacoma mathematics majors. It was a multimedia zoom extravaganza with the faculty leaning in to make it extra special. Just look at the program: There was something for everyone—special videos, Pi Mu Epsilon honor society induction, singing (!?!) , awards, and math(ish) trivia. My favoriteContinue reading “May 28 Day 81: Celebrations Both Belated and Virtual”
May 22 Day 75: Inquiring Minds
Here are those big, beautiful smiles that I promised. The order and some backgrounds have changed. But quarantine hair remains the same. For comparison: This is a wonderfully dedicated group of professionals. It is a pleasure to work with them to support and promote an organization that I love, the Mathematical Association of America. IContinue reading “May 22 Day 75: Inquiring Minds”
May 21 Day 74: Resting Zoom Face
Today was the first day of an MAA Board of Directors quarterly meeting. I tried to get a screenshot to share but honestly, our resting zoom faces didn’t show us in the best light. I fixed it! Now everyone has a smile. What do you think? For MAA friends, can you match the pictures toContinue reading “May 21 Day 74: Resting Zoom Face”
May 17 Day 70: Small Celebrations
Sometimes I need to celebrate little things. Rather than rising early to start work, I stayed snuggled under my covers and began grading. Finishing the first of three Matrix Algebra assignments before ever getting up, pushed away the gloom and burden of grading—tricking me into feeling optimistic about work for the rest of the day.Continue reading “May 17 Day 70: Small Celebrations”
Math Belongs to All of Us 