"Yá'át'ééh (Hello in Navajo) math usually carries a negative connotation with it in small introductions with people saying, "I hate it." I never really agreed mainly because I do not hate or try not detest anything, so I chuckle to myself. Math takes a lot of creativity if one wants or needs to make a career out it, something I still lack. As a result, teaching and explaining the concepts or mnemonics to others helps mutual learning because I really want and need to have the teaching skill down as I build my career on math. I want to develop my analytical skills of population dynamics, but I also love explaining polynomials and simple algebra exercises since there is always a concrete answer one can calculate.

In reality, my passion lies in developing math curricula in Navajo since colonization has deprived some of the greatest mathematicians and architects from the indigenous communities to thrive. Instead history often reframes my people as savage when we used to develop calendars, map the stars, and build home structures the History Channel likes to claim aliens did.

With and patience come to mind as I think back to all the times I just want to give the answer, but rather I think of joke or prod a student to make the realization themselves. I revel in the aha-moments because it feels utterly satisfactory when one can remember the quadratic formula or foil out binomials--seeing the patterns through not only the numbers but the axioms and theorems too, or even how the unit circle just pulls all trigonometry together. I love the handwriting too because I have clear legible notes.

If you're also trying to find diversity outside of the institution--even though this is a part of the academic endeavors too--I am Diné (Navajo) person and thrilled to find of Native American Indians or other indigenous folk in STEM. I'm generally amiable and full of integrity, so, hopefully, if you're already willing to be here yourself then that makes the job so much more easier and fulfilling knowing that I do not have to also" less...