There is a lot of discussion around what the math department at my school will look like over the coming years. I rarely contribute to the discussions, sometimes out of anxiety but mostly because I am listening to what others have to say. I want to fully understand where we stand right now and how we got there before I can begin imagining where I want us to go. Here are some things that have come up when I have been thinking about this.
I want us to be a place:
Where you problem solve and model and visualize and predict
Where you learn to communicate precisely
Where you practice seeing patterns and connections
Where you use logical and organized thinking
Where you analyze and critique the world you live in, and brainstorm solutions
Where you come out in the end fundamentally believing in your ability to struggle productively
Where you lean into the unknown and the confusing with curiosity and creativity
Where you learn to ask questions far more than you find answers
Critical Points (of a Multivariable Function) 