AMATYC 2005

AMATYC conferences always have a commonality, and yet each one is very special and unique. This year’s conference in San Diego was no exception.  It is always fun to visit once again with colleagues from across the nation who I have met at previous conferences, see new software and/or texts displayed by vendors at the large exhibit area, have such a large selection of topics to choose from in deciding which session to attend each hour, and listen to very interesting and yet diverse guest speakers. 

 
What are some of my unique memories of this year’s conference?

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 This year I certainly appreciated the opportunity to attend the affiliate presidents’ luncheon and discussion sessions.  It is here that you learn ideas from other state affiliates and share with them some of the exciting and unique things that VMATYC does.

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 Some of the textbooks that are used at our school are going into new editions next year and it was only when visiting with the representative at that particular booth at the exhibit area did I find out about it.  It is always nice NOT to be surprised with a new text the first day of class!!

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 I felt like a dart player in trying to decide which of about 12-15 sessions to attend each hour, how I wish I could be in more than one place at a time!  I finally selected sessions dealing with such topics as  “Tips for On-Line Teaching”,  “Are Students Prepared to Succeed in Math in the Community College?” , “Using Excel in Finite Mathematics”, “Hands On with Precalculus with Trig”, “Please Revisit My Dear Aunt Sally:  Topics that Deserve a Second Look”.

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And we even learned from one of the guest speakers about the fascinating world of honey bees and their “navigational” systems to return back home. 

Beyond that, I came back to my classes feeling invigorated, enthused, confident that my students are really pretty good students—I perhaps am the one that is lagging!!    I owe it to my students to learn what I can about techniques in teaching and new outlooks to things “I know”, and the AMATYC conference gave me that opportunity.  It also gave me the opportunity to proudly represent VMATYC as one of our four voting delegates at the delegate assembly.

Oh, yes, and for those 15 or so VMATYC members in attendance, math teachers really do know how to have fun, don’t we!!   Whether it was riding the trolley for an enjoyable evening meal together, soaking up a few rays of beautiful sunshine while sitting by the pools for the 5 minutes between sessions, or walking through the MANY varieties of roses that were in full bloom around the conference grounds as we went between the buildings for the various sessions, it was fun! 

I am all ready to make my reservation for Cincinnati this fall so I can be one of many who are "Keeping Current with the Standards".  Hope to see you there!!!

Linda Taylor, VMATYC President, NVCC

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