Math 141
FALL 2022 | MESA COLLEGE | KELLY SPOON
WElcome!
If you've made it here, you are hopefully signed up for my Pre-Calculus class. I've taught Math 141 for the last three semester and am still finding new things to love about it. Last Spring, I taught the class meeting on Zoom for 2 hours on Friday - so very similar in structure to this class, but we will be meeting on campus.
I'm continuing an experiment with something close to standards-based grading in my Math 141 class this semester. This means that each week, we will focus on a given topic and you will have a few ways to demonstrate your understanding. If you need a bit more time to learn that material, you can retake quizzes or redo other assignments until you've got it down. My hope is that I've designed the course in a way that lets you focus on learning the skills necessary for calculus. A few caveats:
I do want us to be on the same page when we come to class so we can challenge each other and have good conversations, so there will be an assignment due before class each week that will be graded on completion.
Students tend to prioritize classes with less flexibility than mine - that's OK! However, we still need to get through all the material in 16 weeks, so you will need to pace yourself.
Before we meet next week, you can read on to learn more about me and use the menu at the top of the page to learn more about the course.
When I'm not teaching (or thinking about teaching), here are some of the things I do for fun.
Speed Jigsaw Puzzling - No joke. My friend got me into it and we compete each month at events hosted by Pacific Puzzlers. The events are always at breweries, so I need to combine my love of puzzles, beer, and competition into a single night of ridiculousness. We're actually planning to compete in the USA Jigsaw Nationals in October. I know, it feels like I'm making all this up as a type it.
Fantasy / SciFi - I’m a giant nerd, obviously since I’m a math professor who speed puzzles for fun, but I also LOVE sci-fi and fantasy books. I'm currently reading the Dandelion Dynasty series by Ken Liu.
Soccer - I try to play as much (free) soccer as possible. You'll probably find me subbing on an indoor field most nights of the week. If you play at Toby Wells YMCA, La Mesa Indoor, or Santee Sportsplex or if you used to play at the water tower in North Park, we've probably played against each other. And because someone will ask, I don't really watch sports - so I don't have an EPL team. I do attend Wave and Loyals games on occasion, but mostly to hang out with friends.
Being Active - In addition to soccer, I try to be as active as possible. I love running, hiking, and am oddly motivated by obtaining Peloton badges. If you have a Peloton account, feel free to add me (kellymspoon) cause I'm still working on that 'swarm' badge.
I'm also a mom to a 3.5 year old, but I don't do that for fun...
My Commitment to us
We all come to this course with a variety of experiences, responsibilities, needs, and feelings. This means we have much to learn from each other, but it also means that we may all learn differently and at different paces. I practice a “whole learner” approach to instruction. This means that all learners in our classroom (myself included) are not just students/instructors, but people with outside lives that will both inform and possibly sometimes interfere with this class. As such, the course policies below offer flexibility, but also ask for accountability. Both are integral to creating a productive learning experience for our entire classroom community.
Suggested 'best by' dates - nearly ALL assignments can be submitted late, if that is necessary... I will reach out before items are due (and after) to try to support you. Last semester, this was all assignments, but it hurt our time together in class. So this semester, we will have a pre-class quiz due and graded on completeness before our class meeting.
Opportunities to show growth - ALL assignments can be revised and resubmitted. Learning is a process and I want to help you on that journey.
Go learn more about our course here!
Questions? Reach out at kspoon@sdccd.edu
I check email every morning and try to clear my inbox. If you haven't heard back from me within 24 hours, don't hesitate to resend to put yourself back at the top of my stack!