I'm terrible about giving away the takeaway, but suffice it to say you should give your undivided attention to this episode. Oh, and by the way, this is a story about Skittles. It is dedicated to my thesis advisor and mathematics professor, the late Dr. Lee V. Stiff. Don't let the name fool you - he was a man of passion, animated and stimulating as a teacher on subjects just like this one. I hope this would've made him proud.

The story I recount here is a retelling of one very similar to it that he shared with my classmates and me in a graduate level teaching course on elementary math. The class met once a week for 3 hours. Can you imagine talking about math that long? Let me tell you in no uncertain terms, it was the opposite of what you're thinking. Those were some of the most fun and fascinating hours I spent in all of college, truly. I credit him for any passion I bring to my students, and if mine is half as his was, I will be doing well.

To read more about Dr. Stiff, please read this remembrance.