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, toys, games, 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 meeting a new student, the first thing I try to do is learn about them and what their goals are. 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. Does he like to move around a lot? We can
move while we do math.
Once I understand your goals, together, we solve math problems. We can work from any math book you want, or I can develop lessons for you. 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. Your child and I will build mathematical objects with our hands and in our minds. Your child can learn through custom math lessons that suit their needs, interests, and abilities.
My goals are 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, dyslexia, and vision disorders.
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 (2007-2018)
Invited talks
*MoMath (The National Museum of Mathematics)
*Gathering 4 Gardner
*Meetings of the Mathematical Association of America
*Bridges Meetings
*Meetings of the Minds
*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 been tutoring privately for the last decade, and 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, and math and visual art.
Rates
Please inquire about my hourly rate.
Contact
Gwen Fisher gwen [at] beadinfinitum
[dot] com
References
Available upon request
Selected Publications
"Tribert Tries to Make Life, Fails" Cover and Art Department, MAA Focus, Vol. 46 No. 2, Apr/May 2026
"Beading with Algorithms: Cellular Automata in Peyote Stitch", book coauthored with Roger Antonsen, World Scientific, 2026
"Fractal Holes and the Cosmic Goo: Doodle No. 144" Best Photograph, Painting, or Print at the MAA Mathfest Art Exhibit 2025
"Highly Unlikely Triangles and Other Impossible Figures in Beadweaving" to be published in the Proceedings of the Proceedings of the Annual Bridges (Mathematical Connections in Art, Music and Science) Conference (July 2015)
"Genie Bottle" in This is Burning Man, Techcrunch, Sept 4, 2014 http://techcrunch.com/gallery/this-is-burning-man/slide/37/
"Bat Country" in 50 Visions of Mathematics, Edited by Sam Parc, Oxford University Press, 2014
"Bat Country" in The Guardian, Alex's Adventures in Numberland, May 14, 2014 http://www.theguardian.com/science/alexs-adventures-in-numberland/gallery/2014/may/14/beauty-visions-mathematics-pictures
"Pentagon and Square Links" 1000 Beads, Lark Jewelry & Beading, Kristina Logan, Ed., p.409, 2014.
"Using Tiling Theory to Generate Beaded Angle Weaves" coauthored with Blake Mellor, Journal of Mathematics and the Arts, vol. 6, no. 4, 2012, pp. 141-158.
"Cube Cluster Beaded Beads" & "Icosahedral Cluster Beaded Art Object" in I CAN Right Angle Weave, by Mabiline Gidez, Lark Crafts, 2012.
"Infinity Donut," "Seven Sisters Beaded Pendant" & "Textile Cuff Bracelets VI" in Beaded Fantasies by Sabine Lippert, Lark Crafts, 2012.
"Cluster Bead", Beadwork Magazine, Feb/Mar 2012.
"Lotus Necklace" Firemountain Gems Advertisement, Bead Style Magazine back cover, March 2010.
"Harvest Jewels Necklace" Firemountain Gems Advertisement, Beadwork Magazine back cover, Oct/Nov 2009.
"Deco Lotus Earrings" Beadwork Magazine, Oct/Nov 2009.
"Archimedes Star Bracelet" Beadwork Magazine, Aug/Sept 2009.
"Amethyst Earrings" (Look for the pattern "Cutie Pie Earrings" in Gwen's Etsy shop), Beadwork Magazine, Dec 08/Jan 09.
"Woven Beads", Mathematical Imagery, American Mathematical Society, April 2008 and 2009 AMS Calender.
"Inspiration from an Octahedron," Mungbeing Magazine, Issue #16, Fall 2007.
"Three-dimensional finite point groups and the symmetry of Beaded Beads" including cover, coauthored with Blake Mellor, Journal of Mathematics and the Arts, 1(2), June 2007.
"Mathematics Goes High Fashion" Math Horizons, September 2007.
"Dahlia Flowers in Mathematics, Nature, Art and Design" Math Horizons 13(3), February 2006
"A Method for Illustrating Border and Wallpaper Patterns" Proceedings of the 8th Annual Bridges (Mathematical Connections in Art, Music and Science) Conference, July 2005.
"The Quaternions Quilts" including cover, Focus: Newsletter of the MAA, January 2005. Cover Reprint (PDF)
"On the Topology of Celtic Knot Designs" coauthored with Blake Mellor, Proceedings of the 7th Annual Bridges (Mathematical Connections in Art, Music and Science) Conference, July 2004.
"Serendipity" including cover art, Quiltmaker Magazine, May/June 2004.
Select Web Articles About My Art
Nestel, Anna "Conference brings math, art together" The California Aggie, March 9, 2016, https://theaggie.org/2016/03/09/conference-brings-math-art-together/
Lamb, Evelyn "The Stunning Symbiosis between Math and Knitting" Scientific American, Feb 24, 2014 http://app1.scientificamerican.com/slideshow/the-stunning-symbiosis-between-math-and-knitting-slide-show/#6
Schwartz, Carly "16 Awe-Inspiring Art Installations From Burning Man 2013" The Huffington Post, September 18, 2013. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/18/burning-man-art_n_3932349.html
Hart, George. "Sierpinski tetrahedron" Math Monday, February 22, 2010.
Oken, Eni. "Interview with Florence and Gwen" Jewelry Lessons, Spring 2009.
Peterson, Ivars. "A Tetrix at Burning Man" The Mathematical Tourist, July 2008.
Gutina, Zoya. "An Interview with Gwen Fisher" Gem and Beaded Jewelry Blog, July 19, 2008.
"Tribert Tries to Make Life, Fails" Cover and Art Department, MAA Focus, Vol. 46 No. 2, Apr/May 2026
"Beading with Algorithms: Cellular Automata in Peyote Stitch", book coauthored with Roger Antonsen, World Scientific, 2026
"Fractal Holes and the Cosmic Goo: Doodle No. 144" Best Photograph, Painting, or Print at the MAA Mathfest Art Exhibit 2025
"Highly Unlikely Triangles and Other Impossible Figures in Beadweaving" to be published in the Proceedings of the Proceedings of the Annual Bridges (Mathematical Connections in Art, Music and Science) Conference (July 2015)
"Genie Bottle" in This is Burning Man, Techcrunch, Sept 4, 2014 http://techcrunch.com/gallery/this-is-burning-man/slide/37/
"Bat Country" in 50 Visions of Mathematics, Edited by Sam Parc, Oxford University Press, 2014
"Bat Country" in The Guardian, Alex's Adventures in Numberland, May 14, 2014 http://www.theguardian.com/science/alexs-adventures-in-numberland/gallery/2014/may/14/beauty-visions-mathematics-pictures
"Pentagon and Square Links" 1000 Beads, Lark Jewelry & Beading, Kristina Logan, Ed., p.409, 2014.
"Using Tiling Theory to Generate Beaded Angle Weaves" coauthored with Blake Mellor, Journal of Mathematics and the Arts, vol. 6, no. 4, 2012, pp. 141-158.
"Cube Cluster Beaded Beads" & "Icosahedral Cluster Beaded Art Object" in I CAN Right Angle Weave, by Mabiline Gidez, Lark Crafts, 2012.
"Infinity Donut," "Seven Sisters Beaded Pendant" & "Textile Cuff Bracelets VI" in Beaded Fantasies by Sabine Lippert, Lark Crafts, 2012.
"Cluster Bead", Beadwork Magazine, Feb/Mar 2012.
"Lotus Necklace" Firemountain Gems Advertisement, Bead Style Magazine back cover, March 2010.
"Harvest Jewels Necklace" Firemountain Gems Advertisement, Beadwork Magazine back cover, Oct/Nov 2009.
"Deco Lotus Earrings" Beadwork Magazine, Oct/Nov 2009.
"Archimedes Star Bracelet" Beadwork Magazine, Aug/Sept 2009.
"Amethyst Earrings" (Look for the pattern "Cutie Pie Earrings" in Gwen's Etsy shop), Beadwork Magazine, Dec 08/Jan 09.
"Woven Beads", Mathematical Imagery, American Mathematical Society, April 2008 and 2009 AMS Calender.
"Inspiration from an Octahedron," Mungbeing Magazine, Issue #16, Fall 2007.
"Three-dimensional finite point groups and the symmetry of Beaded Beads" including cover, coauthored with Blake Mellor, Journal of Mathematics and the Arts, 1(2), June 2007.
"Mathematics Goes High Fashion" Math Horizons, September 2007.
"Dahlia Flowers in Mathematics, Nature, Art and Design" Math Horizons 13(3), February 2006
"A Method for Illustrating Border and Wallpaper Patterns" Proceedings of the 8th Annual Bridges (Mathematical Connections in Art, Music and Science) Conference, July 2005.
"The Quaternions Quilts" including cover, Focus: Newsletter of the MAA, January 2005. Cover Reprint (PDF)
"On the Topology of Celtic Knot Designs" coauthored with Blake Mellor, Proceedings of the 7th Annual Bridges (Mathematical Connections in Art, Music and Science) Conference, July 2004.
"Serendipity" including cover art, Quiltmaker Magazine, May/June 2004.
Select Web Articles About My Art
Nestel, Anna "Conference brings math, art together" The California Aggie, March 9, 2016, https://theaggie.org/2016/03/09/conference-brings-math-art-together/
Lamb, Evelyn "The Stunning Symbiosis between Math and Knitting" Scientific American, Feb 24, 2014 http://app1.scientificamerican.com/slideshow/the-stunning-symbiosis-between-math-and-knitting-slide-show/#6
Schwartz, Carly "16 Awe-Inspiring Art Installations From Burning Man 2013" The Huffington Post, September 18, 2013. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/18/burning-man-art_n_3932349.html
Hart, George. "Sierpinski tetrahedron" Math Monday, February 22, 2010.
Oken, Eni. "Interview with Florence and Gwen" Jewelry Lessons, Spring 2009.
Peterson, Ivars. "A Tetrix at Burning Man" The Mathematical Tourist, July 2008.
Gutina, Zoya. "An Interview with Gwen Fisher" Gem and Beaded Jewelry Blog, July 19, 2008.
