1. How and When to Attend Our First Week: Our first day of instruction is Monday, February 3rd. We’ll meet in person on the Golden West College campus in the Math and Science Building, Room 155, every Monday and Wednesday from 11:10 AM to 1:15 PM (PST). Please plan to attend our first class session in person and come ready to get started—we’ll go over the course, get familiar with the materials, and dive into Week 1 content.

2. How This Course Works: This 16-week Calculus 1 course is designed for in-person learning, with online tools to support your progress and practice. Here’s how it’s structured:

• In-Person Meetings: We meet twice a week (Mon/Wed) on campus. Attendance and participation in these sessions are important, especially as we cover new material, work through examples, and prepare for exams.

• Assignments & Coursework: All course assignments are posted in Canvas and completed through an embedded courseware platform called MyOpenMath. This system is fully integrated into Canvas and 100% free—there’s no need to purchase a textbook or access code.

• Our Textbook: Our textbook, Calculus Volume One, is 100% free and can be accessed by clicking this link!

• Modules: Course content is organized into weekly modules (Weeks 1–16). Each module contains: Notes and video links,Practice problems and assignments, Links to take-home quizzes when assigned

• Exams & Quizzes: Our course has 3 In-Class Unit Exams (dates listed in the course calendar), 3 Take-Home Quizzes, and 1 Final Exam during our last class meeting.

• Due Dates: Assignment due dates are posted in each module—please check Canvas regularly to stay on track.

Email me: The best way to reach me is by email at staylor3@gwc.cccd.edu. I check email regularly Monday through Friday and aim to respond within 1 business day. If you message me over the weekend, I’ll get back to you on the next business day.

Student Hours (Office Hours): I'm available for in-person help on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM PST, right before class. You can find me in the Math and Science Building, Room 109 (lobby) on campus.

Want to meet virtually? No problem! You can request a Zoom appointment, and we’ll schedule a time. Here's the link to my Zoom room: 🔗https://cccd-edu.zoom.us/j/6988959730.

Do you have a General Question? Please post it in the Q&A Discussion thread on Canvas. This way, everyone can benefit from the answers—and feel free to help each other out, too! I’ll also pop in regularly to respond and guide you as needed.

I’m here to support you and ensure you feel connected and heard—never hesitate to reach out!

1. ✅ Due Dates for Week One: To get started strong, please complete the following tasks by the end of the first week:

2. 📘 Read the Course Overview and Syllabus in Canvas – Due Wednesday

3. 🔐 Register for MyOpenMath through Canvas – Due Wednesday

4. 🧮 Complete the “Week 1: Algebra & Precalculus Review” assignment in MyOpenMath – Due Sunday at 11:59 PM

5. 📚 Post a quick introduction in our Canvas discussion – Due Sunday at 11:59 PM

6. 🔍All assignments can be found in the Week 1 module in Canvas.

🎒 Materials You Will Need for Week One: 

• Textbook: Calculus Volume 1 by OpenStax – free and embedded in Canvas and MyOpenMath. You can also view/download the textbook here.

• Online Homework Platform: MyOpenMath (accessed directly through Canvas—no separate account or code needed).

• A scientific calculator is helpful, though not required. In class, we’ll focus more on conceptual understanding and algebraic methods.

• A notebook or binder for taking notes and working out problems.

• A positive mindset and willingness to ask questions and stay curious! 

Calculus 1 is challenging but also an exciting opportunity to develop problem-solving skills that will serve you well beyond the classroom. To succeed, we must both bring our best to the table. Here's what you can expect from me—and what I expect from you in return. 

What You Can Expect From Me:

1. Clear and Organized Instruction – I will provide structured lessons, guided examples, and step-by-step explanations to help make challenging topics more approachable.

2. Timely Feedback and Grading – I will return graded work promptly and offer detailed feedback so you can learn from your mistakes and continue to grow.

3. Availability and Support – I will be available via email, Zoom, and office hours to answer questions, review concepts, or discuss study strategies.

4. Respect for Your Time and Commitments – I understand you have a full life outside this course, and I will provide reasonable deadlines and a consistent weekly rhythm to help you plan ahead.

5. Encouragement and High Expectations – I believe in your ability to succeed in Calculus, and I will push you to stretch your thinking while supporting you every step of the way.

What I Expect From You:

1. Active Engagement – Attend class (or participate fully online), ask questions, work through examples, and engage in discussions to deepen your understanding.

2. Consistent Effort and Practice – Calculus is a skill learned through regular practice. Set aside dedicated time each week to work through problems, study, and review feedback.

3. Honest Communication – If you're feeling overwhelmed, confused, or falling behind, reach out. I can't help if I don’t know what you’re experiencing.

4. Preparation and Accountability – Come to class prepared, complete assignments on time, and take responsibility for your learning.

5. Perseverance and Growth Mindset – Don’t fear mistakes—they’re a natural part of learning! Approach this course with curiosity and resilience.

I believe that learning is a journey, not a race—and in this journey, we are a learning community. We will grow together by supporting one another, staying curious, and leaning into the challenges that help us improve.

Diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Your different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives matter here and will shape our classroom in meaningful ways. We learn more when we listen to each other.

I know from experience that learning math can feel overwhelming at times. I personally struggled with math until I was a young adult. As an adult learner, I had to take one math class at a time and develop the patience and mindset to keep going, even when it was tough. That’s why I’ve built this class to support students who may feel the same way—with loads of resources, guidance, and opportunities to ask for help.

I’m also a musician of over 20 years, and I know that mastering a song can take hundreds of hours of practice, frustration, and repetition. Learning math is no different. It takes tenacity, a willingness to be patient with yourself, and the courage to fail forward.

To “fail forward” means to view setbacks not as the end of the road, but as part of the learning process. Mistakes are not proof that you can't do it—they are evidence that you're trying. When we reflect on our errors, adjust our approach, and keep going, we grow. This course encourages multiple attempts, thoughtful practice, and reflection.

Learning—not perfection—is our goal. I’m here to support you fully, and I expect you to commit to the process with honesty, effort, and persistence. Let’s keep moving forward together.

Calculus is a beautiful and challenging subject. Its foundations are built on strong algebra and trigonometry skills, and having a solid grasp of those areas is essential for success. But I know it’s easy to forget the many details, theorems, definitions, and procedures from past classes. In calculus, we often have to recall a concept or technique we learned months—or even years—ago at a moment’s notice. That can feel overwhelming, but it’s completely normal.

Here’s something you might not expect: I wasn’t good at math when I started. I failed nearly every math class I took in high school and even struggled when I first began at Golden West College back in 1998. But over time, I discovered something powerful. I fell in love with the clarity of math—the consistency, the precision, the way a solution either works or it doesn’t. I loved the notation, the elegance of a well-formed proof, and the fact that in math, truth isn't based on opinion—it's based on logic and facts.

My advice? Give yourself grace and time. Don’t expect to understand everything all at once. No one does—not me, not Einstein, not Newton, not the thousands of students and scholars who’ve wrestled with these ideas before you. Prioritize your time, even when it’s hard. Show up, ask questions, and lean into the challenge. I’m here to support you every step of the way.

By the end of this course, you’ll have built a strong foundation in the fundamental concepts of calculus. These goals represent the key skills and understandings you’ll develop throughout the term—not just for success now, but to prepare you for what’s coming next in Calculus 2. Here's what you’ll be able to do:

1. Calculate limits when they exist, and explain why they do not exist when applicable.

2. Compute derivatives of polynomial, rational, algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions.

3. Evaluate definite and indefinite integrals with confidence and clarity.

These outcomes are designed to build your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of mathematics. Mastery of these topics will not only help you succeed in this class but also ensure you're fully prepared to take on the more advanced concepts and applications you'll encounter in Calculus 2.

You are not alone on this journey. As a member of the Golden West College community, you have access to a wide range of support services designed to help you succeed, not just academically, but as a person. College can be tough, and life outside of class can sometimes be even tougher. Whether you're navigating financial stress, personal challenges, or academic pressure, there is help available—and it's okay to ask for it.

Please take a moment to explore the resources below, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know could benefit from them:

• Counseling Services – Meet with academic, career, and personal counselors who can support you in your goals and well-being.

• The Academic Success Center (ASC) – Get free tutoring, workshops, and learning support to help you master course material.

• Student Health Center – Access free or low-cost physical and mental health services on campus.

• Basic Needs Resources – Find help with food, housing, transportation, and more.

• DSPS (Disability Services and Programs for Students) – Get accommodations and support for documented disabilities.

• Financial Aid Office – Learn about grants, scholarships, and other financial support.

• Veterans Resource Center – Support for student veterans and their families navigating college life.

• Career Center – Explore job opportunities, career paths, and receive assistance with resumes and interviews.

• EOPS/CARE/NextUp – Specialized support services for eligible students facing academic and financial challenges.

Remember: asking for help is a strength. These services exist because your success matters, and you're part of a community that cares.