Teaching

Classes Taught

I have taught the following courses at the University of Houston:

Math 6342: Topology (Graduate Course), Fall 2008
Math 6395: Topics in C*-algebras (Graduate Course), Spring 2008
Math 3397: Transitions to Advanced Mathematics, Fall 2007
Math 3333: Intermediate Real Analysis, Spring 2007
Math 4377: Advanced Linear Algebra, Fall 2006

I have taught the following courses at the College of William & Mary:

Math 112 (Section 01/02): Calculus II, Spring 2006
Math 214 (Section 02): Foundations of Mathematics, Spring 2006
Math 112 (Section 01/02): Calculus II, Fall 2005
Math 112 (Section 05/06): Calculus II, Fall 2005
Math 211 (Section 01): Linear Algebra, Fall 2005

I have taught the following courses at the University of Iowa:

22M:118 Complex Analysis, Fall 2004
22M:050 Abstract Algebra I, Spring 2004
22M:025 Calculus I, Fall 2003

I have taught the following courses at Dartmouth College:

Math 1: Calculus, Fall 2001
Math 24: Honors Linear Algebra, Fall 2000
Math 2: Calculus, Winter 2000

Here is the teaching statement I used in my job applications, as well as a summary of my teaching evaluations at the University of Iowa.

Supervised Undergraduate Research

Michael Kroh and Rachel Hodos, Topic: lattices of saturated hereditary subsets in directed graphs, University of Houston, Spring 2008 -- Present.
Rachel Hodos, Topic: frames in finite-dimensional spaces, University of Houston, Spring 2007.
Abraham Isgur and Joe Dorfler, Topic: graph traces on directed graphs, College of William & Mary, Fall 2005 -- Spring 2006.
Erin Catlett and Meg Poston, Topic: saturated hereditary sets in directed graphs and ideals in C*-algebras, College of William & Mary, Fall 2005.
Matt Johnson, Topic: graph traces on directed graphs, University of Iowa, Fall 2003 -- Spring 2005.
Jon Chaika, (supervised jointly with Paul Muhly), Topic: quantum computation and completely positive maps, University of Iowa, Fall 2002 -- Spring 2003.

If you are an undergraduate, and are interested in participating in research with me, please check out a brief description of possible topics. I am always looking for undergraduates to work with.

Professional Development

AMS Project NExT Fellow, 2003-2004

Sponsored by the MAA, Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) is a professional development program for new or recent Ph.D.'s in the mathematical sciences who are interested in improving the teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics. It addresses the full range of faculty responsibilities in teaching, research, and service. Out of the 60 participants, 6 are selected as AMS Project NExT Fellows. AMS Fellows are chosen based on their interest in both research and teaching are and are supported by a grant from the American Mathematical Society.
Participant in the Teaching of Mathematics Seminar at Dartmouth College, Summer 1999

This intensive 10-week long seminar explored both the theory and practice of teaching mathematics. It involved readings and discussions of different philosophies of teaching mathematics and problem solving. Topics included cooperative learning, the use of writing assignments, student evaluations, presentation styles, and designing curricula. Participants also gained hands-on experience by designing and teaching two week-long high school workshops, guest lecturing in Dartmouth classes, and giving presentations throughout the seminar.

Teaching Resources

I have found that some students have trouble making the transition from high school to college math classes. I sometimes give these students a handout that explains the expectations of math classes in college and describes what one can do to meet these expectations.
Bertrand Russell's Ten Commandments for Teachers
Common errors in undergraduate mathematics (especially in calculus courses), and errors made by calculators and computers.

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