Kevin Palencia Infante, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
ACUE Distinguished Teaching Scholar
Department of Mathematical Sciences

Teaching Expertise and Approach

Kevin teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in mathematics. He describes his approach to teaching as follows:

"I believe that a lecture where the instructor is the sole active participant is insufficient to engage students or unlock their potential fully. I create space for discussion and challenge students to think critically about mathematical problems. To address students' diverse needs, I employ a range of pedagogical strategies, including brainstorming, collaborative learning techniques, small-group discussions, think-pair-share, and technology-based tools. I disagree with the social construct that categorizes individuals as either "math people" or "not math people." Instead, I believe that making mistakes should be normalized, as it is a natural and essential part of the learning process in mathematics.

I regularly incorporate applied calculus problems aligned with students’ academic majors to promote relevance and engagement. Students work collaboratively in small groups, actively participate in class discussions, and present their solutions on the whiteboard, which allows the class to engage in whole-group analysis and reflection. Classes typically begin with a guiding question that connects prior concepts to new material, then students work individually or in groups on the solution of problems. As students work through problems, I circulate to monitor their progress, ask targeted questions, and prompt them to explain their reasoning. This structure encourages students to articulate ideas, learn from one another, and collectively identify key mathematical concepts and conclusions."