Letters from Future Students

 

Hi Mr. Braun,

 

I just wanted to send you a quick shoutout and say thanks. While math wasn’t always easy for me, you were able to help me get through. My mom was so happy that I was able to make it through high school, even though I never continued with math in academia.

The reason I’m reaching out is because I just finished an exam for my plumbing apprenticeship. It wasn’t the math that you are probably used to, but studying for it ended up being really easy. I remember what you said about pattern recognition and was able to build upon that to ace the exam. None of my friends in the program know anything about math, but I was able to help them out.

Thanks for never giving up on me!

 

Hi Mr. Braun,

I just wanted you to know the repercussions of your words. I remember how much you I spired me to follow skills and further my math knowledge. Well guess what? I graduated and got a job in a highly math related field and it is terrible. My life is terrible. You never told me math used in the real world is so soul sucking. Sure it’s fun in the abstract ways of beauty, but what good is that when I have to pay the bills?! And guess what? My job is being automated next week because it’s all algorithm based anyways. Going into a field which emphasizes social skills would have been a better investment, but because you showed me the “beauty of math” I got bewitched and am now here.

Thanks for ruining my life.

**UPDATE**

I worry that my excitement about math may inadvertently deify the subject to some students. My enthusiasm for math is one of my strongest assets, and I feel that I will make math more attainable to many students who would have otherwise been scared of the subject. However, I worry that my excitement could bring a level of fanaticism that is not compatible with our current society. In my experience in the corporate field, I found that math used in the real world really was soul sucking. I obviously don't want to tell this to students because I want them to be engaged, but I don't want to lie to them.

Math is an art, but when art and a capitalistic society merge the art can become tainted. My experience with engineering was exactly this. I will try to guide students down proper paths that allow them to play with the art of math more earnestly.