• What is special about your GeT course? In 2-3 sentences, describe your GeT course

I chose to let my students from this semester respond to these questions. Here, unfiltered, is what my students from this semester shared about the course:

Our class is not directed as much by direct instruction, but rather by rich discussion. Understanding is achieved by communication, and our many different backgrounds lead to so many unique perspectives. Geometry can easily be viewed both theoretically and applicably, meaning many students can find ground to stand on.

Class structure isn’t stressful in the way many other mathematics classes are: furthermore Dr. Stevens expertly breaks down precisely key elements of geometry; insofar as In-Class and Homework material is never frivolous, even upon immediate inspection.

It’s a very interesting deep dive into the foundations of geometry. We cover much of high school geometry and expand on many ideas or prove different things that you don’t usually cover in high school math.

It’s a lot of group work and working problems out. It’s nice that there’s a final project and not a final exam. it’s a small class, which is nice cause you really get to know how each person works so you know who you work best with.

The amount of collaboration that Professor Stevens fosters in our class. Typical math lessons have us sit down for hours in our seats listening to the expert teach of hours. She makes us step into the shoes of the experts for a bit and creatively solve problems we’ve never seen before.

• Who are your students?

Here is how some of my students from this semester describe themselves:

We are a wide range of students, from sophomores to seniors (maybe even grad students?) with an interest in math. Whether pure or applied, or paired with computer science or engineering or education, our differing experiences make for a very diverse learning environment.

I am a 4th year undergraduate going for a Bachelor of Sciences Degree for Mathematics

I am a Computer Science and Applied Mathematics double major hoping to go into the field of Audio Engineering

Math majors, and other degrees that deal heavily with math.

Curious explorers, charting the voyage of the discovery of the universe.

• What are you most interested in learning/achieving through participating with the GeT: A Pencil community?

This one, I can answer. I am most interested in learning about new research-based ideas for lessons, reflecting on my teaching, challenging my own perspectives on what it means to teach a GeT course, and supporting other instructors in doing the same. The main ways I have done so thus far is via the alignment of the SLOs to my course and the co-design, implementation, and collaborative reflection of the Adinkra lesson (thank you, Adinkra Lesson group!).

• What is your favorite book you have read in the last few years?

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano- a lighthearted homage to Mary Alcott’s Little Women.

Here are what some of my students shared:

I don’t read books for fun, high school ruined reading for me

The Martian

And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie

Trapped in time by Evangeline Anderson

The Spy, Paolo Coehlo

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In the picture: Me (Irma Stevens) with (most) of the University of Rhode Island Fall 2024 Concepts of Geometry students (Jacob Duhaime, John Njende, Jacob Silva, Jacob Goodwin, Sean Cullinane, Ben Klockars, Rachel Kaplan, Carla Faces Pernía, Megan Eddy-Joost (not pictured: Mark Rossi, Noah Sarji)