I believe every student has the ability to succeed in this course. But we don't do this alone, we do it together. So it's paramount that we treat each other with kindness as well as compassion and that we value our precious time together. 

I am also happy to personally connect you to my friends and colleagues who are here to support you on your academic journey. This includes the staff of Health & Wellness Services, Learning Center,  Library, and SPARKPOINT as well as the Educational Access  Center, EOPS/CARE, TRiO, Guardian Scholars, and Veterans Resource Center.

Expect 7 to 12 mistakes for every new concept you learn. Expect even more if you have any trauma around math in which you were shamed for making mistakes. Know that this is perfectly natural and a built-in feature of the human brain. We actually learn more by making mistakes than by accidentally getting something correct on the first few tries. To quote Michael Jordan:

I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

My goal is to pace the course like a video game: not so hard that you become discouraged, not so easy that you get bored. But inevitably, these emotional states happen. It's important that you acknowledge them and either take breaks in order to rest or to stimulate yourself mentally in some other way. Know that I am also here to help. Please reach out to me whenever you need a hint or a challenge. It's why I am here.  

Despite what others may have told you, math is not just for and by white dudes. There is no culture nor civilization without their own unique type of math. In fact, the very numbers we use today come to us from India via the Middle East and North Africa. They replaced the Roman numerals developed in Europe which were great for carving dates of conquest into marble, but horrible for doing calculations. So not only does math develop on its own everywhere, it is inevitably shared with everyone else, making us all richer as a result. For even more proof, research the history of zero on wikipedia to see how it emerged around the world throughout history, starting with the Egyptians and Mayans. So don't let anyone tell you that you're not a math person.  Math is our birthright as human beings.

To learn more about Latinx Mathematicians working today, check out Lathisms.org. I also recommend you take a look at the site my college classmate Candice helped create: Mathematicallygiftedandblack.com.

Folks are often impressed with my breadth of knowledge. In fact, my nickname used to be "Walking Dictionary." But how did I learn and remember so many things? The answer is I made it my own. I drew stick figures, just plain bad drawings, sang really silly songs, rapped bad bars, cracked corny jokes, and danced like no one was watching. Seriously, I do a math function dance.

I encourage you to make this class your own. It has been the secret to my success. I hope it will be the secret to yours.