Before Dawn in Charlottesville: A Professor’s Routine
As dawn struggles to break through the early hours, Daniel James is already on his feet in Charlottesville. By 6 a.m., he is at the ACAC fitness center, leading a group of early risers through rigorous squats and deadlifts. By mid-morning, his focus shifts to numbers and equations as he guides students through the complexities of applied linear algebra.
For James, who is an associate professor and course coordinator at the University of Virginia’s Department of Mathematics, the disciplines of mathematics and weightlifting share surprising similarities. “It’s really similar to math, in that you have to continually push yourself just a little bit beyond what you’re comfortable doing to grow and get better,” he explained. “It scratches the same itch.”
Known affectionately as “DJ” by his students, James hails from a small town near Birmingham, Alabama. His academic journey led him through Auburn University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and doctorate in mathematics, followed by a tenure at Virginia Commonwealth University. He joined the faculty at UVA in fall 2021, despite initial doubts about his chances of landing the position. “I was like, ‘Oh, it’s such a good university. There’s no way I could possibly ever end up here,” he remarked. Yet, he applied and succeeded.
In his current role, James teaches Applied Linear Algebra, a pivotal course for students pursuing degrees in fields like statistics, data science, and chemistry. He also coordinates Calculus I, contributing to course material development, exam preparation, and mentoring graduate student instructors.
Central to James’ educational philosophy is the growth mindset, which emphasizes that abilities can be honed through effort and perseverance. Each summer, he spearheads a teaching workshop for new graduate teaching assistants, collaborating with UVA’s Motivate Lab. This partnership aims to instill a growth mindset, a sense of belonging, and purpose in educational settings.
He stresses the importance of these concepts, especially in introductory courses, to foster a welcoming learning environment. “Those are so important with those first-year courses,” James stated, “to help students feel comfortable at UVA in general, to feel comfortable in a math environment in general.”
Savannah Fife, a UVA class of 2025 graduate with a dual major in math and economics, experienced James’ teaching approach firsthand in her first semester. She later became a learning assistant in the math department, aiding students during class sessions. Fife recalls James’ encouragement to focus on personal growth over peer comparison. “He really encouraged us not to share scores with each other and to not make it all about exams,” she noted.
Fife attests to James’ unwavering commitment to his students. “He puts so much thought into how he writes every single lesson, and he tracks every question that students have in order to fix the lesson for the next year,” she said. “He’s incredibly dedicated and really wants to see his students succeed.”
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