Known as a dedicated, attentive, caring instructor who shares his passion for mathematics with undergraduates at all levels, Josh Wang brings a dynamic energy to his teaching that makes class stimulating, engaging, and fun. During one class, the PhD student in mathematics touched on his research into topology, which so impressed one student that she stayed afterward to learn more. “Josh was able to communicate his fascination with the subject, lighting the student’s curiosity on fire,” says Preceptor in Mathematics Brendan Kelly.
Graduate students in the department have many different options to fulfill their teaching responsibilities. One of the most ambitious projects they can take on is organizing an undergraduate tutorial. Wang has organized three that intersect in different ways with his personal interest in low-dimensional topology. Students appreciate his well-crafted mathematical narratives. “From the beginning to the end, the tutorial was a professional, serious, well-organized academic experience,” one student wrote. “It was clear that Josh put a great deal of thought into the topics of the course and how to best present challenging ideas and techniques in algebraic topology to undergraduates.”
In fall 2020, Wang responded on short notice to a request to teach a calculus class, demonstrating his dedication to the educational mission of his department. Students overwhelmingly praised him and his talent as an instructor. “You can tell how much work Josh put in to teach us effectively,” one undergraduate wrote. “I didn’t realize until the couple days that he was absent how much of an effect that he had on our learning experience.” Another commented, “Josh…has very comprehensive and advanced knowledge of the subject, and you can tell based on his teaching. Whenever I had a gap in knowledge regarding a problem or general concept, he would not only answer my question but also connect it to familiar concepts or tie in concepts we would more fully learn later in the course.”
Several years ago, Wang extended his influence in undergraduate education beyond the classroom when he and several other students created the directed reading program (DRP), which pairs undergraduates with graduate students for term-long projects and mentoring. Wang not only helped to shape the program, but also successfully mentored five projects and wrote a guide for new graduate students. He continues to help match the graduate student mentors with undergraduates each term. “He is always thoughtful and careful in building these mentoring pairs,” says Kelly. “Josh’s efforts with the DRP will be felt in the department for many years to come.”
Josh Wang, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is pleased to present you with the Derek C. Bok Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching of Undergraduates. Congratulations!
Photo by Tony Rinaldo
