2025 NAIWE Poetry Winner
Author: Britt Kaufmann
Students in high school are often finding themselves and in turn beginning to question the purpose of the subjects they are required to study. Britt Kaufmann is a high school math tutor who writes poetry that reflects on both math and life (sometimes including her life interactions with these high schoolers) and how those two intertwine in Midlife Calculus.
She makes potluck pleasantries:
“What do you do?”
I work at the high school, I say. An extra body in the math
classes, sitting in graffitied desks with the students, modeling
how to take notes and pay attention. I’m right there, to
encourage them to ask questions, give extra help. Sometimes
I “Vanna”—work the problems on the board as the teacher
talks, so he doesn’t lose eye-contact with the kids. It’s a
grant-funded position.
“Oh.”
Britt Kaufmann captures moments from her life and relates them to math concepts, such as the x-axis, irrationals, operations, or infinitesimal changes. She also writers about her experiences with working in a high school.
The parent is confused:
“Why are you calling me?”
I’m part of the Student Success Team, I say. I can set up a
one-on-one meet with your child while they’re on quarantine
to help them complete their math assignments. They can
share their screen and I can walk them through each
problem. Have them email me a time and I’ll send a link.
“Ok.”
Midlife Calculus combines the purpose of math with important life events, such as the pandemic, the educational system, and school shootings, but also with Kaufmann’s life events such as change, time passing by, and love.
The mid-year hire is curious:
“What, exactly, is your role here?”
I am the chewed up piece of gum, I say, trod into the
floorboards so the kids don’t fall through the cracks.
“Uh . . .”
Britt Kaufmann uses this space to share her experiences and love of math and the students she works with, along with her life struggles and limitations as an educator.
My nephew snuggles into my lap:
“What is your job?”
I’m a tutor, I say. You know how your kindergarten class
has an extra adult to help out? I’m like that person, except
at a high school.
“So, you go to the high school and toot?”
Congratulations, Britt Kaufmann’s Midlife Calculus for being a NAIWE 2025 Book Award winner!
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