As a mother, I strongly believe in giving every child the chance to live up to what ever they can dream. A strong foundation in STEM can support those dreams. Positive early experience can have a great effect on their belief in themselves and their goals in life. Being a part of conferences such as the PennState Brandywine’s STEM Options Program is my way of increasing the visibility of women in the mathematics. Participating in conferences is a good start, but it is not enough. Women need support at all stages of their lives. I facilitated a series of conversations at Lebanon Valley College inspired by Melinda Gonzalez's work on the panel Decolonizing Academic Spaces: Women of Color Speaking on Student Success, Allyship and Motherhood to bring awareness to some of the inequities that women of color face in academia.
As I move through my career, I am finding new ways to get involved. I volunteered with the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM). As the chair of the Membership Committee, I helped to expand inclusive practices to our membership and organize and run AWM events such as the Girl Scouts STEM Expos.
Exciting young curiosity as early as I can, I frequently make a crocheted Amish Puzzle Ball as baby gifts. I love that it comes apart into three rings and back fits together to make the ball. If you crochet, you should definitely check it out!
Another one of my passions is being outdoors and enjoying the beauty that the Earth has to offer. My daughters have picked up on that joy and ask to be outside no matter the weather. We enrolled my two oldest children in Kimberton Waldorf School so that they can experience the Earth in all of its glory. In every weather they play in their outside classrooms and revel in weekly nature walks. They learn letters and numbers through stories, songs, movement, and art. They learn to work together in groups and listen to each other.
I aim to bring a little of that serene life and joy of learning into my classrooms.
Links
Women in Number Theory (WIN)
My favorite Number Theory Conference is the West Coast Number Theory Conference (WCNT).
Free crochet and knitting patterns: Ravelry