This is it. The Canvas site has been released to the students. The assessment plan has been finalized. And tomorrow starts remote Autumn 2020 classes at UW Tacoma. Deciding on all the small details is perhaps the most stressful part. To reduce grading I am having students post written homework problems to a discussion boardContinue reading “September 29 Day 205: Eve of the Beginning”
Category Archives: mathematics
August 16 Day 161: I Salute You
To those who are about to teach, I salute you. For some, next week marks the beginning of the ‘Autumn’ term. For others, like myself, there are still six more weeks until S-day (S for the Start of the term.) It was not where I imagined we would be 161 days ago. My optimism failedContinue reading “August 16 Day 161: I Salute You”
August 6 Day 151: Not Really that Surprised
And just like that—any class that can be taught remotely, will be taught remotely. I’m not surprised. We would have to be in Phase 3 for face-to-face classes and Pierce County, WA is not even close. Yes, there are more than seven weeks to turn things around (UW Tacoma is on a quarter system andContinue reading “August 6 Day 151: Not Really that Surprised”
July 31 Day 145: Zoom Sort Puzzle
The last three days have been filled with productive zoom meetings that should have taken place in person at MathFest in Philapelphia. The meetings were masterfully coordinated by MAA President Michael Dorff and chair of the Congress Tim Chartier. They were a good balance of receiving information, discussing priorities, and connecting with participants through engagingContinue reading “July 31 Day 145: Zoom Sort Puzzle”
July 25 Day 139: #TacomaMath
Two months ago, in May 24 Day 77: Shine Your Light, the second bullet point on my big-dreaming summer to-do list stated “Support local Tacoma Math Walks #TacomaMath through responsible socially-distant math walks. The pandemic knocked the feet out from under this project in March. Its time to pivot, re-engage community partners, and move the dialContinue reading “July 25 Day 139: #TacomaMath”
July 21 Day 135: Living Proof
Because of this blog, I was asked by Allison Henrich and Matthew Pons with write a post for the AMS blog Living Proof: Stories of Resilience along the Mathematical Journey about my challenges and struggles teaching through the COVID-19 pandemic. I did and it appeared today. It’s an emotional reflection of Spring quarter 2020. IContinue reading “July 21 Day 135: Living Proof”
July 14 Day 128: Origin Story
It was a pivotal moment. The class really bonded through the shared experience. We were learning new skills from each other—both technical and mathematical.
June 17 Day 101: Drive By Celebration
To close out the academic year, the Math Club sponsored a “Drive-By” celebration. All math majors were invited. Faculty came out in force and made appropriate celebratory signs. Students took the opportunity to drop off loaned books, to sign the Pi Mu Epsilon roll book, to deposit money raised for the Pi Day Celebration, andContinue reading “June 17 Day 101: Drive By Celebration”
June 13 Day 97: Congratulations Mathematics Majors of 2020
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”
June 12 Day 96: Finals. Part III
I really wanted to be able to report that all projects were graded and final grades were submitted. But I haven’t been able to make myself sit down to finish. Grades are not due until 5 pm on Tuesday June 16. So there is time, right? To procrastinate, I will answer the question about theContinue reading “June 12 Day 96: Finals. Part III”
Math Belongs to All of Us 