Professor Baldwin
I realize that every instructor teaches differently, and that every student learns differently.
This site was created for you to learn about me and how I teach, and see if we are a good teacher-student fit.
The links above will take you to the syllabi and resources for the classes I teach, as well as my YouTube channel with tons of examples!
My Journey Here
My name is Carrie Baldwin, feel free to call me Carrie.
I was born and raised in upstate New York; Syracuse to be exact. I completed all of my college education in upstate NY. I have a Bachelor's in economics, management and mathematics from Wells College in Aurora, NY as well as a Masters in Economics with a concentration in Econometrics from Syracuse University. Econometrics is statistics based economics, where you use statistical regressions and historical data to make predictions about the economy. You could say I'm a number junky and LOVE math!
I have had my fair share of jobs. I served in the United States Army as a Civil Affairs Specialist, taught economics at Syracuse University and worked as a research economist for the New York State Tax Study Commission before moving to New Mexico in 2002. I also held lots of little jobs to help pay for college, such as working on an assembly line, fast food, coffee barista, etc.
I have had a lot of jobs over the years, but teaching is my dream job. I love sharing my passion for economics and math with my students, and seeing their reactions when all the information "clicks". I taught full-time online and face-to-face courses at a NM university for 15 years before moving to Colorado Springs and accepting a position at Pikes Peak in August 2017.
All of my "free" time is dedicated to my children. They are both blended students, where they go to physical school 2 days a week and homeschool with me the other 3 days. They are also very active in sports and extracurriculars. Katie is a competitive swimmer, and Alex does advanced computer programming and swimming. They also love extracurriculars such as cooking, robotics, and video games.
My Commitment to You
You and your classmates have chosen to study math in an online classroom for a wide variety of reasons: learning styles, schedules and responsibilities, previous experiences (both good and bad), and curiosity. I was never an online student, but my husband (a 1st generation student) completed all of his education online and as an adult learner. I use his education experiences (both good and bad) to help me improve my own teaching. I was fortunate to be there to help him through those ups and downs, and now I am here to help YOU through your online educational journey.
I am here for you! As your professor, I am the person you should contact if you need help with the course. I strive to make a course that has a clear path to success. I understand that every student is different and learns differently, and I make every effort to help you grow as a student and online learner. I welcome your input along the way, and will make a conscious effort to reflect on and improve my teaching style and methods based on your feedback.
My Teaching Philosophy
Enthusiasm is what drives my classroom! I show my students enthusiasm, application & commitment and I expect the same in return. I thoroughly enjoy, and am excited about, teaching and mathematics. From the first day of class to the last, I make sure my students feel my sense of enthusiasm as well as my availability for any questions/concerns they may have. I make sure my students can contact me by any means they are comfortable (email, phone, and web conference).
Students learn best when they have substantive and timely feedback. I respond to all questions (phone, email, discussion) within 24 hours of posting and return graded work within the same amount of time they had to complete it, if not sooner. The students don't just get a numerical or letter grade in a timely manner; they also get valuable feedback that is constructive, specific, actionable, sensitive, and balanced. If a student isn't actively participating, I will reach out to them (privately) to find out why and how I can help them to reach their education goals.
I continually strive to improve each time I enter the classroom. It is always my goal that my students leave my class excited, more knowledgeable, and confident in themselves and their education.