Do you have a curious child that wants
to explore math beyond the classroom? Do you have a smart child that is
unmotivated by their math class? Does your child just need some extra help with
their math homework? My goal is to
teach the beauty and wonder of mathematics to your child from preschool through
calculus. No matter their grade level or ability, your children can learn more
mathematics than they get in their classes at school. Your child and I can work
directly from any math book, I can create tailored math lessons for your child,
or anything in between. If your child likes math and wants to learn more, she
should learn all the cool fun bits that got weeded out of the curriculum. (Yes,
algebra is FULL of cool fun bits!) If your child is under-achieving in math
right now, he could be learning from lessons that tap directly into his
strengths and interests.
How do I do these things? I am a former
Cal Poly (SLO) Mathematics Professor with a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education and
an M.S. in Mathematics. I worked in mathematics classrooms in public schools
and universities for 15 years. My specialty as a professor was the mathematical
education of teachers. I taught math and I taught people how to teach math. I
have worked with a couple thousand students and hundreds of teachers. I am also
an accomplished mathematical artist and I use art as a way of exploring mathematical
ideas.
Why Do I love
Teaching Math?
My entire life, I have explored in the wonder
and beauty of mathematics, and my goal is to inspire that wonder people around
me. Math is fascinating and beautiful, and I love watching students’ faces
light up when they learn something new. Your child can learn far more math than
their classes and textbooks teach them. My challenge is to learn about
your child and craft lessons to fit their specific needs and skills. I
especially enjoy applying math to the visual arts and making beautiful and
instructive things. In addition to doing their homework, your child can learn that
same math through paper folding and cutting, manipulating blocks, fabric,
beads, felt, and even cookie dough. Math can be very engaging when you know how
to do it.
Process for
Working with New Customers
When I meet a new customer, the first thing I do
is listen closely to them and their parents to learn about them and their goals.
I ask questions to learn what interests and
motivates each student. For example, does your child like to play games? I
can design games so he will role dice, count blocks, and move markers. Does she
like making things with her hands? We can fold and cut paper or sew things. Is
he a kinesthetic learner? We can
do math with movement.
Once I understand your goals, together, we solve
math problems. We can work from
any math book you want, or I can develop lessons. Your child and I will build
mathematical objects with our hands and in our minds. While we do math problems
together I watch and listen carefully to assess what your child already knows
and is able to do. We will communicate through words, symbols, graphs, tables,
equations, or whatever is relevant to the math at hand. Then your child will
learn through custom math lessons to suit their needs, interests, and abilities.
My goal is that your child learns how to solve
problems, organize their thinking, and if you desire, clearly present their
ideas on paper. Your child can become fluent in calculating, learn number sense,
and improve their grades in school.
I build relationships with my students and their
parents. I am very patient, and I have successfully worked with many students
with disabilities including ADD, ADHD, ASD and Dyslexia.
Qualifications
Tenured Professor of Mathematics at Cal
Poly State University, SLO (2001-2007)
Ph.D. in Curriculum &
Instruction (Mathematics Education)
University of Wisconsin, Madison (2001)
M.A. in Mathematics
University of California, Santa Barbara
Associate Editor, Journal of
Mathematics and the Arts
I have given invited talks nationally,
including at MoMath (The National Museum of Mathematics), the Gathering 4
Gardner, Meetings of the Mathematical Association of America, Bridges, Meetings
of the Minds, and the Julia Robinson Math Festival. I am a leader in
mathematical art, both as an innovator and evangelist.
I have 15 years of math classroom
teaching experience in public schools and universities in California and
Wisconsin. I have taught complete courses across the entire school
mathematics curriculum including arithmetic, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry,
trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus for engineering, calculus for business,
introduction to proofs, math for elementary school teachers, math for high
school teachers, teaching methods for high school math teachers, math and visual
art.
Rates
Please inquire about my hourly and half
daily rates. I can drive to your home or I can teach your child at my home in
Sunnyvale, California. I can travel anywhere in the San Francisco Bay
Area, including Sunnyvale, San Jose, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Hillsborough,
Mountain View, Palo Alto, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Fremont and other
towns in the vicinity.
Contact
Gwen Fisher gwen [at] beadinfinitum
[dot] com
References
Available upon request