Why do People Say that Mathematics
Describes the World?

 

Jesse Mickelson, Assistant Professor, Mathematics

A: I like to keep it really casual; make the class as fun as possible. I’m not a patient person outside the classroom – I hate waiting in lines and I have nasty road rage – but I don’t have any problem being extremely patient in the classroom. It’s my job. Everyone’s had an impatient teacher at one point and I never wanted to be that kind of teacher. I want my students to know that they can ask any question they want…pertaining to math, of course.

A: Most people have math phobia! I think it’s because math takes a lot of hard work. You have to dedicate TONS of time to figure out the process. There’s no bluffing. It’s black and white. There’s only one right answer. But, for any kind of math problem, there’s more than one way to get to the right answer. Some math teachers are “my way or no way.” I’m not like that. As long as students show a logical process that works, I accept it…. I love it when I see another way to solve a math problem from a student. I love it when students succeed. I’m always rooting for them when I grade papers.

A: Hmmm… that I beat Sean ‘The Cash’ Rash – he’s an awesome professional bowler – I beat him in “match play” in a Vegas tournament in 2004. That was the peak of my bowling career. It’s been pretty much downhill ever since. Ha ha!