The Power of Connection in Math: Insights from Hortensia Soto
3/24/202640 min
In this episode of Breaking Math, we sit down with Dr. Hortensia Soto, former president of the Mathematical Association of America, to explore the role of mathematics in a world shaped by AI, education, and access. We discuss how debates in math are often really about opportunity and inclusion, how educators can navigate the rapid pace of AI, and why communication and human connection matter more than ever. The conversation also highlights the importance of financial literacy, embodied learning, and collaboration, reframing mathematics not as a set of answers, but as a way of thinking grounded in curiosity, effort...
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First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:01
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Hortensia Soto· Guest0:22
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Speaker 30:28
I sold my car on Carvana last night.
Autumn Phaneuf· Host0:32
[laughs] Well, that's cool.
Speaker 30:33
No, y- you don't understand. It went perfectly: real offer, down to the penny. They're picking it up tomorrow. Nothing went wrong.
Autumn Phaneuf· Host0:39
So wha- what's the problem?
Speaker 30:41
That is the problem. Nothing in my life goes this smoothly. I'm waiting for the catch.
Autumn Phaneuf· Host0:44
Maybe there's no catch.
Speaker 30:45
That's exactly what a catch would want me to think.
Autumn Phaneuf· Host0:48
[laughs] Wow, you need to relax.
Speaker 30:49
I need to knock on wood. Do we have wood? Is this table wood?
Autumn Phaneuf· Host0:52
I think it's laminate.
Speaker 30:53
Okay. Yeah, that's good. That's close enough.
Noah Giansiracusa· Host0:54
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Autumn Phaneuf· Host1:00
What does mathematics really need right now? More access, better communication, and a deeper understanding that math has always been about people. In this episode, we talk with former MAA president Ortensia Soto about leadership in the mathematics community, the politics of access, embodied learning, and why teaching math is about much more than getting the right answer. This is a conversation about connection, curiosity, and the human side of mathematics. But before