My Teaching Assistant Appointment

Summary

Although, when I was an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, I was occasionally invited to assist Professors Luck and Linfield, it wasn't until my second year at Harvard that I became a genuine TA. The appointment was to assist Professor Ralph Beatley in one of his mathematics education courses. Professor Beatley was the authority at Harvard in the field of mathematics education. Not only did I grade the quizzes and daily homework assignments of his class, but I pinch-hitted for him when he was away on speaking engagements. This occurred quite frequently, for Professor Beatley was a much sought-after speaker. Since Professor Beatley also taught the same course at nearby Radcliffe College for women, I also occasionally lectured there in his place. Professor Beatley was very kind to me, and later, when I was studying at Princeton, he took the time to call on me there during one of his speaking visits to Princeton.