MS math teacher uses art to dive deep
The Sharon Academy Middle School has a robust mathematics curriculum that benefits from creative and engaging teachers. Tracy Gillespie is one whose arts training allows a unique ability to combine visual arts and math in her teaching. Now she is exemplifying how TSA faculty pursue their own deeper learning with her most recent project “Mathematics Made Visible”, which highlights the diverse people in the field of mathematics. Her work will be on exhibit at Long River Gallery in White River Junction March 1 until June 1, with an opening reception on Friday, April 1, 5:30 to 7 pm.
Tracy explains the story behind the show, “I had this idea to make a really good looking math poster about how cool pi is and some of the history behind calculating pi. But as I did my research, I noticed all of the mathematicians (particularly the contemporary ones involved in calculating ever longer approximations of pi) sort of looked the same.”
Recalling her experiences as one of two female math majors at her college (she ended up switching majors), she thought, “I’m an artist and a math teacher, I would like to help a more diverse population the ability to visualize ourelves as mathematicians.”
So, she changed her project to be a portrait series of mathematicians not typically depicted in textbooks or videos, who more accurately represent the diversity of people engaging in mathematics today.
Tracy’s series of 12 block print portraits of mathematicians are meant to become posters for teachers to display in their classrooms. The nine she has finished to date are on display at White River Junction’s Long River Gallery.