The Broken Spoon

The first step to learning anything is . . . PRACTICE!

2012-01-25T10:01:00.002-06:00

No appointment needed for WALK-IN TABLES!

2012-01-23T06:17:00.000-06:00

DO IT WITH A TUTOR THIS SEMESTER!

2012-01-11T10:40:00.001-06:00

TICK TOCK . . .

2011-11-28T11:51:00.001-06:00

WOW! Look At All the People Who use the AARC!

2011-11-09T12:28:00.001-06:00

Open LATE!

2011-10-24T11:31:00.000-05:00

These folks are over at the Student Success Center in Lumberjack Landing enjoying an SI Group. Are you going to YOUR SI Group?

2011-10-12T09:55:00.001-05:00

The AARC Is Trying To Help You Stay On Track!

2011-10-10T12:05:00.001-05:00

AARC and Counseling Present. . . WITH FREE PIZZA AND FREE SODA!

2011-09-27T17:11:00.002-05:00

BIOLOGY Walk-In Tables!

2011-09-19T02:20:00.003-05:00

We've got TWO math tables, TWO biology tables, and TWO chemistry tables this year!

2011-09-06T22:25:00.004-05:00

Tables are both at Steen Library and the new Lumberjack Landing right next door.
http://library.sfasu.edu/aarc/walk-in-tables

AARC is ready for FALL!

2011-08-12T15:54:00.000-05:00

AARC Will Be In The New Freshman Success Center!

2011-06-27T14:50:00.008-05:00

Get on over to the Writing Center and make that paper GREAT!

2011-04-27T17:40:00.000-05:00

Our Motto!

2011-04-11T20:10:00.001-05:00

Introducing. . . THE BIOLOGY TABLE!

2011-03-30T16:37:00.001-05:00

We're giving out some FREE AARC t-shirts Monday, March 28, at 6:00 pm.!

2011-03-27T19:29:00.003-05:00

Is this you?

2011-03-21T19:17:00.000-05:00

Watch and learn what SI is and what it is not . . .

2011-03-05T08:30:00.000-06:00

Walk-on over for help with Biology, Chemistry, Astronomy, Math, Physics, Writing. . . whew! And we are adding more all the time!

2011-02-28T13:30:00.001-06:00

FOUR DIFFERENT KINDS OF TUTORING!

2011-02-17T00:01:00.000-06:00

MATH WALK-IN TABLE IS OPEN UNTIL 9:00 P.M. MONDAY-THURSDAY!

2011-02-06T16:59:00.002-06:00

BRING YOUR COMMA TROUBLES TO US!

2011-01-29T11:29:00.002-06:00

WERE WE OUT OF TUTORS FOR WHAT YOU WANTED? ADD YOUR NAME TO THE WAITING LIST!

2011-01-23T09:35:00.005-06:00

CLICK HERE!

THE BIG DAY IS COMING!

2011-01-14T05:11:00.003-06:00

A bouquet for each of our graduating AARC tutors! While you earned your degree, you helped others earn theirs too!

2010-12-31T07:24:00.002-06:00

AARC ANNUAL HO HO AWARDS DINNER 2010!

2010-12-14T20:07:00.004-06:00

JAE IRVING: AARC CLIENT, TUTOR, AND. . . MISS BLACK AND GOLD 2010!

2010-12-11T09:11:00.003-06:00

THE AARC IS OPEN DURING DEAD WEEK! WOO HOO!

2010-12-03T09:24:00.001-06:00

THE NUMBERS TELL THE STORY: COMING TO THE AARC 5 TIMES OR MORE IN A SEMSETER MAKES A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE!

2010-11-17T19:06:00.001-06:00

NEED A QUIET PLACE TO STUDY? TRY THE STEEN 4TH FLOOR QUIET ZONE!

2010-11-07T08:34:00.001-06:00

THE AARC ANNUAL BOO PARTY 2010!

2010-11-01T13:45:00.002-05:00

HOW MANY VISITS DO YOU HAVE TO THE AARC SO FAR? YOU NEED AT LEAST 5 A SEMESTER TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE!

2010-10-24T19:16:00.003-05:00

BUILD YOUR FAILURE TOLERANCE. RECOMMIT AFTER A BAD GRADE!

2010-10-17T16:33:00.003-05:00

PUT AARC ON YOUR PHONE! DOWNLOAD THE NEW SFA APP FOR FREE.

2010-10-14T13:30:00.007-05:00

STUDY TIP: REVIEW YOUR GRADED TESTS AND PAPERS!

2010-10-07T11:38:00.002-05:00

STUDY TIP: PRETEND YOU ARE EXPLAINING TO A FRIEND!

2010-09-26T21:32:00.003-05:00

OUR LATEST SERVICE!

2010-09-18T21:10:00.001-05:00

MORE THAN A RESUME BLIP

2010-02-27T19:54:00.003-06:00

I have to thank you. You really have no idea what all you have done for me. We have pretty intense training at my office and no one likes leading the training classes. My goal is to lead the training on what we call a "Financial Inventory" next year. Eventually I want to completely head up that side of the firm. Currently it's decentralized and really a "let them learn as they go" sort of program. I will revamp this. I've spoken to my boss about it and she loves the idea. I'm not there yet, but give me a year (maybe two), and that will be my program. There is absolutely no way I would even be thinking about this had it not been for SI. It was a job, something to put on my resume, and for that it was good. Now that I'm through it, I realize that I gained more from that experience than you could ever put on a resume.

Clay Moyer
Former tutor
Current Financial Analyst

SNOW DAY

2010-02-27T19:45:00.001-06:00

DO THE MATH ANYTIME. . . ANYWHERE

2010-02-26T12:21:00.005-06:00

We now have a MOL! That might sound like a disease, but it stands for: math on-line lab. Very few learning centers in the nation have an online math lab, and even fewer use their own tutors and their own “home-grown” platform. Andrew Davis, The AARC Math and Physics Program Director, had a vision for online tutoring which would allow any SFA student to post a question on a web page and receive assistance from a tutor via e-mail. Michael Gillen, Steen Library Web Design Specialist, identified a government shareware program that could be adapted for this purpose. With input from a team of Math faculty, the AARC launched the beta version of the MOL. We encourage students to take advantage of this new online opportunity! Students can access the MOL from the AARC homepage.

THE HAMBURGER METHOD

2010-02-26T12:11:00.027-06:00

Ever wish there were one-time study groups for helping students tackle difficult writing assignments? Well now you’ve got it! AARC Tutor-Led Area-Specific (ATLAS) workshops cover essential writing techniques such as constructing strong thesis statements, building strong paragraphs, and writing effective intros and conclusions. Tutor-presenters lead targeted peer review exercises for improving students’ drafts. Know what’s even better? Professors can schedule ATLAS workshops for their classes! Just contact Jackson Brown, The AARC Writing and English Program Director, for more information.

AMAZING EXPERIENCE

2010-02-25T23:35:00.008-06:00

Working as an SI leader in the AARC was an amazing experience for me. I learned leadership skills, I learned a lot about teaching classes, and I learned how to positively interact with students. I love Political Science but I know most students don’t. As an SI leader I discovered how to make learning about Political Science fun and I continue to implement the teaching methods I learned as an SI leader today.

Lee W. Payne, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Political Science

FEELS LIKE HOME

2010-02-25T23:29:00.016-06:00

The AARC helped me earn an A in Statistics. When I was taking the class, I always felt lost. It was like I was stuck in a hole with no way to get out, but then I found out about the AARC. It helped me so much, and I didn't feel like I was alone anymore. There were people that could help me get through! There isn't another department that's so dedicated to the students on this campus. I really don't know what I would do without the AARC. It feels like home every time I walk through the glass doors. . .

Shelby Pearman
Client
SI Leader

Biology Major

LOVING AND LEARNING

2010-02-25T23:14:00.000-06:00

GOING INTERNATIONAL

2010-02-25T22:06:00.006-06:00

We love our international students! We tutor those who want to improve their speaking skills through a conversational program developed by Jackson Brown, Writing and English Program Director. And we hire them to tutor, giving them jobs where they can practice their English and help other students. We try to attend all the international programs: The International Food Feast, Global Groove Night, and the International Fashion Show. This is SI Leader Jazi Hiriart strutting down the runaway at the fashion show. Que bonita! The AARC is about more than just tutoring--it's about building a community of support and interest.

MUSIC IN THE LIBRARY

2010-02-25T21:58:00.013-06:00

Melissa Boiles, director of Humanities, Science, and Business, had an idea on one December day--let's sing carols throughout the library. She put together an ensemble of library and AARC staff and off they merrily went for several command performances. This set of singers includes Margie Renfro, Marleen Meeds, Annette James (she swears she was just mouthing the words!), Melissa Boiles, Ann Kendal, Ellis Kendal (also playing guitar), Dyson Nikel, and Andrew Davis.

THE HO HO PARTY AND TUTOR CERTIFICATION!

2010-02-25T21:52:00.003-06:00

PLAYING PRETEND PROFESSOR

2010-02-25T21:14:00.009-06:00

M.E. McWilliams, AARC Director, led seventy-five students in a game of Pretend Professor at leadership workshop for East Texas students participating in GEAR-UP. While their parents attended a forum on financial aid, the students learned about how to transition from high school to college, including understanding the expectations of a colege professor. The game is based on a survey of fifty professors at SFA who were asked: What Ticks You Off Most About Your Students?

WHAT'S NEW BREAKFAST

2009-10-27T20:52:00.012-05:00

AARC held its second annual What's New Breakfast. We drank coffee and ate cinnamon rolls with some of our good friends all across campus who are in the business of advising and counseling students. They need to know what new things we have cooking over here, and we need to know what services we can develop to help their students. Here are Andrew Davis, Annette James, Gina Small, Lindsey Cortes, Trina Minnafee, Madeline Miller, Kevin Davis, Dyson Nikel, M.E. McWilliams, and Jackson Brown.

FOR OUTSTANDING DELIVERY

2009-10-27T20:28:00.005-05:00

Winner of the SI Leader Bravo Award 2009

SI Professor: Dr. Dana Cooper, History

View Previous Winners: SI Leader Bravo Awards

GRAVATT TAKES THE PRIZE

2009-10-27T20:22:00.005-05:00

Winner of the SI Prof Bravo Award 2009

SI Leader: Erin Stempinski

View Past Winners: SI Prof Hall Of Fame

MY FAVORITE LUNCH LADY

2009-10-27T18:36:00.003-05:00

Dragons today: Lumberjacks tomorrow. When senior-level English teachers at Nacogdoches High School (NHS) stated that they could use assistance so that their students could write better college admissions essays, AARC’s Writing and English program jumped at the opportunity! A lot of people worked together to create this workshop:

six AARC writing tutors (Clarissa Ensenberger, Brittany O’Sullivan, Esther McClure, Katelyn Willis, Nicole Newby, and Amanda Gaddis)

myself (AARC’s Writing and English Program Director)

Anne Duncan (an instructor in SFA’s Department of English)

The workshop featured a fun essay called My Favorite Lunch Lady written by yours-truly. This was a day-long series of revision workshops conducted for approximately 250 NHS seniors. As both a supplement to writing instruction and an indirect recruitment effort, these workshops granted prospective applicants valuable skills they would use as freshman composition students at SFA.

ANNETTE JAMES--CERTIFIED

2009-10-27T17:16:00.005-05:00

When Dr. Herzog asked me to consider enrolling in the Texas Certified Public Manager Program (CPM) at SFA about two years ago, my immediate response was, I don't have time! He quickly pointed out that CPM would teach me better time management! CPM is a certified program endorsed by the American Society of Public Administration and covers a variety of subjects to enhance the skills and abilities of public managers:

leadership

personnel administration

public finance

productivity information systems

program evaluation

The final phase of the program included a research project related to current employment. I was able to research practical uses for Supplemental Instruction (SI) assessment data which led to my first professional presentation at the Regional SI conference held on the A&M Campus in Spring 2009! CPM Certificates were awarded at the graduation ceremony held in the Capitol Building with a reception following at the Capitol Grill.

RENAE REMEMBERS

2009-10-27T12:58:00.004-05:00

I was a writing tutor at the AARC during the 2007-2008 school year. I just wanted to say thank you again for allowing me to have the opportunity to experience being a writing tutor. I am at Texas Wesleyan School of Law right now, and I received an awesome clerkship for the spring semester. A big reason I was given the opportunity was due to my writing. The employer was impressed that I was a writing tutor, and I think having that on my resume was a big plus. So I just wanted to send you a thank you. I never realized that being a writing tutor could open such doors.

Renae Warden Whitsett

FOLLOWING PATHWAYS

2009-10-27T12:33:00.009-05:00

AARC colloborated with the SFA Summer Provisional Program for 09 and here are the results:

109 out of 171 Pathways students attended the AARC at least once during the Summer II semester. 48 of these attended five or more study group sessions.

Students who did not visit the AARC at all earned an average grade of 2.06, while AARC attendees earned an average grade of 2.48.

77% of AARC attendees enrolled for the Fall 2009 semester, as compared with just 55% of non-AARC students.

Pathways students who attended AARC tutoring 5 or more times were characterized by lower SAT scores and high school ranks than all other groups, yet they earned higher grades and matriculated for fall at higher rates.

Photo is of Melissa Boiles, who enthusiastically coordinated services for Pathways and who ran the numbers. She is awesome!

PROVISIONAL AND PROUD

2009-10-27T11:48:00.010-05:00

I am a proud Pathways student. Like so many other kids, I started out at SFA through the summer provisional program. Pathways is a program that allows those students who may have had troubles in high school to prove that they have what it takes to continue with their higher education at a university. This program also comes with many unintended advantages including a crash course in college life, as summer sessions are at such a quick pace. When I showed up at Maze Hall to move in, literally two days after I had walked the stage, I was intimidated.

But through the help of a Supplemental Instructor (SI) and the walk in tables, I was given the tools needed to excel in my summer semesters. Not only did the AARC help me with the material discussed in my classes, but they also conveyed helpful hints for studying for these classes. I actually wound up better prepared than most incoming freshmen that would start their college career in the fall.

Thanks to those who helped me, I am currently a junior Math and Physics major at Stephen F. Austin. And now, I not only still use the AARC resources but also, I work here--as both a tutor and as an SI Student Assistant to the SI Director, Annette James.

Zach Wilke

SI Assistant

INDIRECT BENEFITS

2009-10-27T09:15:00.005-05:00

The direct benefits of serving as an SI leader are perhaps obvious. It does help students develop a better mastery of material in courses which they’ve already taken. There are other indirect benefits besides this, however.

Jason Perrin had his Master’s thesis defense last semester. I served on his thesis committee. He did a fine job and passed without any problems. During the defense, he did an outstanding job in making the presentation. He seemed very comfortable speaking in front of a group of twenty plus people including faculty & students. I think the poise and skill that he showed are an indirect result of all the times he served as an SI leader for several of my classes and for other faculty.

I do appreciate the many benefits, both direct and indirect, that having SI groups brings to all of our students, the SI leaders and the students in the classes. Thanks for having this program!

Dr. Russell Franks

Chemistry

In the photo: Chemistry Dr's Frantzen, Franks, Jason, and Moore

WAY TO GO!

2009-10-27T06:58:00.007-05:00

I want to compliment your program in the AARC on the quality of training provided to your SI Leaders. Three of our new GTAs come to us having worked through your program. Recently, Dr. Judson led all of our new GTAs through microteaching exercises. The organization, board work, poise, and communication skills exhibited by the three AARC "graduates" was considerably greater than I would expect from a neophyte teacher! At least two of them specifically attributed their success to AARC training. I believe, with our additional help, they will find the transition to classroom teaching an easy one. Way to go!

Robert Payne, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAID

2009-10-26T22:30:00.018-05:00

Jeff Briggs is awesome. He is extremely helpful, patient, and intelligent. I have never seen him stumped by a question, and I have never seen him in anything but a cheerful mood.

Reagan Campbell is one of the best and most professional advisors I have had for a subject. He asks lots of questions to help us understand the correct answer and gives us advice that we can use outside of the class too. I have never missed an SI with him because his information and knowledge is that valuable.

Connetra Green is a great tutor. I have made an A on quizzes and tests so far with her help.

Brenda Jaime es el mayor SI en el mundo!

WHY ARE MY MATH TEACHERS AT THE WALK-IN TABLE?

2009-02-28T11:04:00.012-06:00

I thought that more students might come ask questions if they were in an environment less threatening than a "Professor's Office!!" With other students all around, it seems the AARC might be more inviting than a one-on-one session with their old fogey professor. Besides offering my 220 students a chance to seek help in a hospitable environment, I find that my upper division undergraduate students are also taking this opportunity to get their questions answered. Again I think that they see me in a less formal light when I'm sitting at the Walk-In table. I've also had the opportunity to tutor students from classes other than my own, which has been interesting.

Dr. Joe McWilliams
Department of Mathematics

Different students are available at different times of the day, and I want to make sure that everyone has access to office hours. I think the walk-in tables are a great, nonthreatening environment to work on math together. It's a great challenge and great fun to try to engage each one exactly at their unique 'trouble spots.' I really enjoy the people who work at the walk-in tables. A fun community has formed around those tables!

Dr. Keith Hubbard
Department of Mathematics

I have a hard time getting students to come to my office. I know that students go to the AARC regularly, and I was hoping that they'd get to know me better there. I've really liked working at the walk-in table. I like getting to switch gears and think about problems in different courses, and it's been instructive for me to see the way the peer tutors interact with the students.

Dr. Jane Long
Department of Mathematics

It's been great. I still hold some of my office hours in Math and Nursing, but I probably have 4 to 5 times the traffic in the AARC. If my students don't need to see me, I can help students in other courses. It also seems to be a better place to get to know my students.

Dr. Tom Judson
Department of Mathematics

ACADEMIC ADVISORS UNITE!

2009-02-28T11:00:00.006-06:00

AARC initiated the first ever Academic Advising Consortium (at least the first ever that we know of!) and met at the AARC with academic advisors from across campus in January. This would be a great picture except that Dr. Shockley can hardly been seen. Please know that he was there!

MARRIED AND LOVING SI--COLLYER AND COLLYER

2009-02-28T10:42:00.006-06:00

SI Leaders provide assistance that I could not otherwise provide during lecture hours. They challenge students with exercises that simulate exam questions; they provide exercises to students to enhance critical thinking skills; and, as former students in my class, they provide valuable and sage advice for studying and succeeding in my course. Students who regularly participate in SI group have, unequivocally, better exams scores than others! I rely on the SI program as part of my course planning. My reliance is rewarded by great SI Leaders. I have had three SI Leaders -- Meagan, Dennis, and Bethanee-- who deserve all of the credit for making SI an effective part of my course!

Dr. Michael Collyer
Department of Biology

SI is an indispensable support for A&P, and I wish my students would make use of it more regularly, not only before the exams! This semester, I have a great SI leader for my class, Franziska, and not only does the fact that she, also, is German make it fun to work together, she is also very knowledgeable, as well!

Petra Collyer
Department of Biology

SHE WALKS ON WATER--BY DR. JEFF BREMER AND DENNIS BRADFORD

2009-02-28T10:31:00.010-06:00

Savannah is the greatest. She needs little input from me since she has great notes from when she took the course. She knows what the students need to succeed and covers the material well. I couldn't ask for better.

Dennis M. Bradford

Department of History

I can't say enough good things about Savannah. She has consistently been one of the best students we have in the history department and has been a model SI. She checks in with me every day after class and asks questions to follow up on lecture. Her success is shown by the fact that several dozen students showed up earlier this week for her SI session. In fact, she's so good at what she does I am suggesting (strongly) that she go get a Ph.D. in American history.

P.S. Savannah also can walk on water.

Dr. Jeff Bremer

Department of History

WHY I HAVE AN SI--BY CYNTHIA DEVLIN

2009-02-28T10:16:00.005-06:00

Jennifer's goal is to teach and the knowledge garnered during her tenure as an SI has provided her with an opportunity that many undergrads never experience. What has been exciting and rewarding for me is to have observed the gradual changes over time in her general demeanor, her knowledge of history, her organizational skills, and her comfort level with students. Specifically, I challenged Jennifer to orginate several questions for exam puposes. We "molded" them into strong test questions that provoked my students to use their "gray matter"! I wish only the best for her future success!

Cynthia Devlin

Department of History

NO ONE IS BORED WITH THE BOARD

2009-02-28T09:41:00.008-06:00

Sure, you’re familiar with the CHAT where students can talk to a tutor in real time on the OWL (Online Writing Lab), but do you know about "The Board” ?

“The Board” is the OWL’s online discussion forum containing gripping, humorous, and often deeply personal responses to some of freshman writing courses’ most common writing prompts. Contributions originate from our very own AARC writing tutors.

These resources serve as great models for student writers and may even prove useful for creating class lessons!

Read the entries by logging on at http://mycourses.sfasu.edu/.
Don’t have access to the AARC OWL? Request a guest pass by e-mailing brownjf@sfasu.edu.

JE NE SAIS QUOI

2009-02-28T08:18:00.013-06:00

As Melissa Boiles writes: There is a certain je ne sais quoi about what happens in the AARC…a bit of life that wasn’t there before, a bit of fun, of inspiration, of energy, of love for a subject. How do we pin down exactly what happens between students when one helps another become great?

(Melissa likes to speak French now whenever she can as she is taking French class with Perry Moon!)

Our "special something" has made defining what we do here difficult, but like everybody else we need to define our work in terms of learning outcomes. After hours and hours of constructing, deleting, and constructing again, we determined our learning outcomes for tutors to be:

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS
MOTIVATION SKILLS
INDEPENDENT LEARNING COACHING
STUDY STRATEGIES MODELING
TIME MANAGEMENT MENTORING

Still our learning outcomes tell only part of our story. It's really the Je ne sais quoi that makes life here at the AARC so exciting. Melissa and the rest of the AARC team invite you to come over and "feel" it for yourself!

ASK THE AARC OWL!

2008-09-30T15:29:00.000-05:00

Posted by Jackson Brown, Writing and English Program Director

Mr. Turtle, how many steps does it take to draft the perfect essay?

I don't know; I never followed all the steps. Ask the AARC OWL.

Mr. OWL, how many steps does it take to draft the perfect essay?

Let's find out:

1) Chat with a tutor online to brainstorm for ideas.

2) Discuss your questions about revision and editing on the online message board.

3) Submit your draft online for next-day review and comment.

... Three.

It's as simple as that?

It is!
All Freshman Composition students can visit me for writing help at http://mycourses.sfasu.edu/

DR. COOPER IS AMAZING!

2008-09-30T14:19:00.001-05:00

In preparing for the SI sessions, I realize how much effort my own teachers put into their classes! Sometimes as students we don't appreciate their lessons and the amount of preparation needed for each one. An SI Leader learns just how much work a professor puts into his classes.

Throughout all the challenges of being an SI Leader (getting students to talk,creating fun activities), it is a relief to know there is always someone I can come to for guidance and help. My SI teacher Dr. Dana Cooper of the Department of History is really clear about what she wants students to learn, and her door is always open. Dr. Cooper is amazing!

Jazzi Hiriart-Lozoya
SI Leader for Dr. Dana Cooper, Department of History

SHOUT OUT TO DR. STEWART!

2008-09-28T13:34:00.001-05:00

All of the professors with whom I have worked, including my current SI Prof, Dr. Robert Stewart, are incredibly supportive of the SI program and are always willing to help me. Because of them, I have learned to:

· deal with different groups of people

· increase my emotional maturity when confronted with problems

· be patient when others don’t understand something that is easy for me

· control a group to make sure they stay on task

Seeing that light bulb of understanding shine in students’ eyes as they understand a concept is such a rewarding experience. When they explain the concept back to me, I’m not sure who is more excited-- the student or me. I love my job, and I thank the professors who gave it to me. Woohoo!

Erin Stempenski

SI Leader For Dr. Stewart, Department of Biology

DR. JUDSON IS IN THE AARC HOUSE!

2008-09-28T13:23:00.001-05:00

Wednesday nights at the Math Walk-In Table at the AARC are like most other nights except that one of the tutors diligently working with the students is not a student himself. That tutor’s name is Dr. Tom Judson, a new math professor at SFA, who is spending two of his office hours tutoring students at the Math Walk-InTable:

Since I have to have office hours why not have them where I am guaranteed to get students? At Harvard I spent some of my office hours at their tutoring centers, and I believe in the work of tutoring centers, so I better put money and time where my mouth is. Being at the AARC gives me contact with students, and they are more likely to ask me questions that I would not get from the classroom or in my office which then helps me to be a better teacher.

Before coming to SFA, Dr. Judson taught at Harvard for six years, and before that, he taugth skiing for five years So why would anyone quit a great job where one is actually paid to ski? Dr. Judson says that teaching math is a lot more fun than teaching skiing because blizzards do not exactly make for a great day at the office!