My name is Ray Lapuz and I will be the instructor for the courses listed below. I have a more detailed BIO, but in short, I immigrated from the Philippines when I was 10, I grew up in SF, went to UC Santa Cruz and worked as a math instructor for programs that supported first-gen students and underrepresented students in the sciences.

I have been teaching here in Cañada since 2000. I love teaching math!

If you are taking one of my math classes, I want to extend a grand welcome to you. I want to work with you, and together, we can create bridges over knowledge gaps and work together to reach the goals and outcomes set forth in your class.

Always feel free to reach out to me at rlapuz2@my.smccd.edu for any questions or concerns.

Being a small college, Cañada resources can feel like an extended family. Starting with me, I hope you would feel comfortable to reach out to me for any questions regarding the classes or school. [Reminder: my email is rlapuz2@my.smccd.edu.] If I cannot answer the question, I will try to find resources to help. Here is a short list of resources that Cañada has to offer:

• Academic Counseling

• Admissions & Records

• Disability Resource Center

• Financial Aid

• Title IX Support

• ** Many More Student Services Resources **

Have you been asked: "Are you good at math?" What was your response?

I'd like to propose that YOU ARE GOOD AT MATH!

I like to think about math as similar to playing a sport or performing for an audience. In either scenario, you can attain different levels of "being good." Some people may have great soccer skills like Lionel Messi, or may have a naturally amazing voice like Beyonce, but they did not get to their level without practice. Any by the way, they've also had their share of mistakes along the way: Messi and Beyonce, they they moved on and kept on learning.

So feel free to make your mistakes in the class. Just keep on learning and moving forward. YOU can do it!

https://www.youcubed.org/resources/mindset-video/

Michael Jordan Videos:

• https://youtu.be/JA7G7AV-LT8

• https://youtu.be/nBAPXS97hqE

Mathematics comes from many cultures. Some of the ancient cultures and their contributions include Chinese (numerals), Egyptians (geometry), Greeks (mathematical thinking and proofs), and Mayans (the number ZERO).

There are also quite a bit of contemporary mathematicians from all walks of life who had significant contributions. Some notable mathematicians even made it to our big screens:

• Srinivasa Ramanujan (The Man Who Knew Infinity)

• Katherine Johnson (Hidden Figures)

• Jaime Escalante (Stand and Deliver).