Know Your Profs is an ongoing series of profiles on the instructors at Camosun College. Every issue we ask a different instructor at Camosun the same 10 questions in an attempt to get to know them a little better.
Do you have an instructor that you want to see interviewed in the paper? Maybe you want to know more about one of your teachers, but you’re too busy, or shy, to ask? Email editor@nexusnewspaper.com and we’ll add your instructor to our list of teachers to talk to.
This issue we talked to Camosun Mathematics instructor Garret Flowers about being a former circus performer, viewing math as an art, and going to local shows.
1. What do you teach and how long have you been at Camosun?
I’ve been teaching math at Camosun for about four years.
2. What do you personally get out of teaching?
I know it sounds cheesy, but to me, math is more of an art than a science. It’s creative, elegant, and sometimes weird. I love showing students that math isn’t always painful, and I try to convince them that anyone can be good at math.
3. What’s one thing you wish your students knew about you?
There’s nothing that comes to mind that I wish students would know about me. However, something I think they might find interesting was that a few years ago, I was a member of a professional circus troupe. I toured Asia and the US for a year performing for children, and occasionally I’ll do some performances around Victoria (although not so much anymore).
4. What’s one thing you wish they didn’t know about you?
Nice try, but I’m not going to give away my weaknesses that easily.
5. What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you as a teacher here?
I think my favourite moments are when students from previous semesters email or visit. It’s really nice to know that I’m having an impact on some students’ lives.
6. What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you as a teacher here?
Trying to finish my doctorate at UVic while teaching full-time at Camosun. It was a stressful and disorganized term. But it’s taught me to be more aware of students’ lives outside of the classroom.
7. What do you see in the future of post-secondary education?
I see post-secondary education branching out in many different directions in the future. Online education is becoming more prevalent, and colleges are slowly adapting. I think the style and nature of classroom lectures will change significantly as more technological advances are incorporated. Additionally, more people are enrolling in post-secondary institutions, and their motivations for doing so are becoming more diverse. For some, post-secondary education is simply a means to an end—obtaining a desirable career. For others, it is about learning to think critically and gain a greater understanding of the world. While I tend to fall into the latter camp, I think it’s important to try and mix a bit of both ideologies when teaching.
8. What do you do to relax on the weekends?
A variety of things, really. I really enjoy music, so I try to go to local shows on the weekend. Sometimes I’ll visit friends or just stay in and play video games. In the summer, I hope to do a bit of camping as well.
9. What is your favourite meal?
Americanized Chinese food is definitely number one, but Thai and Vietnamese food are also favourites of mine.
10. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Bringing smelly foods from the cafeteria into class.