Mathematics is elegant and insightful but often misconstrued as merely a collection of facts and methods. I believe the beauty of mathematics lies not in its theorems or procedures, or even in the answers they provide, but in the intuition and clarity of understanding that mathematics grants us. Ultimately, this beauty is what I strive to share with my students. To this end, my teaching philosophy is anchored in the motto so often repeated to my students:

Mathematics is a skill, not a subject.

The subtle but important difference is that the content of mathematics can be learned through mindless memorization of theorems and methodology but the intuition -- the beauty -- is developed only through practice, critical assessment, and reflection. Learning how to think mathematically is an individualized process, and students must actively construct their own understanding.