Math Education and One True Wayism

This is a common criticism of Common Core (CCSS): It offers these strange new methods that students must use. Except… only the first part of that is true. CCSS ...

When I was in school, I was taught the Quadratic Formula. I was taught that it was the most efficient, more reliable way to find the roots of a quadratic functi...

What’s in a Name?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my name. My legal name is “Paul”. It’s the name I’ve worn most of my life. When I was too young to remember, I was Timmy. ...

Proof: The rationality of the y-intercept

Theorem: Given a quadratic function with rational roots, the $$y$$-intercept is rational if and only if the stretch is rational. Proof: If $$f$$ is a quadratic ...

I will do my best to be kind to you.

I will do my best to be kind to you. It’s hard, sometimes. I am so used to people wanting to hurt me. I am so used to people wanting to be cruel to others...

Paper Jack

Paper Jack had a secret: He lived on a piece of paper. You might have thought that was obvious from his name, but the truth is, his friends didn’t know. T...

i am

i am devoured i am exhausted i am denied that which i have been i am relegated to the edges i am devoted i protect my charge and when she whispers i elevate her...

the name that i have been given

the name that i have been given speaks to a child that doesn’t understand the cruelty of the world as if it is a given as if that is how the world must be...