Kyla Quillin, M.A.
Math Mentor, Curriculum Innovator, Confidence Builder
I’m Kyla — a mathematician, curriculum designer, data scientist, and lifelong learner who teaches math through inquiry and problem-solving to build deep, lasting understanding. I help bright students move from simply getting answers to thinking and communicating like mathematicians — with confidence, joy, and curiosity.
I’ve taught at and developed curriculum for leading schools and programs like the Nueva School, the Center for Talented Youth (CTY), and the San Francisco Math Circle, and am known for bringing research-level math to younger students in ways that are both engaging and accessible.
Community and mentorship were central to my study of advanced math at Bryn Mawr College, Budapest Semesters in Math, and San Francisco State University; and in the data science industry. I created Golden Ratio Math Club (formerly kq Absolute Value) to give motivated learners a space where math is empowering, joyful, and rooted in meaningful mentorship — a place where students feel challenged, supported, and genuinely excited to learn.
I believe learning is most powerful when it’s both intellectually rigorous and deeply human.
Experience
10 years (8,000+ hours) tutoring and mentoring individuals who crave extra challenge and depth of understanding
3 years applying math toward solving industry problems as a Data Scientist using natural language processing and specialized AI algorithms to automate the process of mapping doctors’ notes to insurance claims
15 years designing and leading math lessons that engage students of all levels, ages 6 to 20:
Math Circle at The Hamlin School (San Francisco, CA)
The Nueva School (San Mateo, CA)
Court School inside San Francisco Juvenile Hall (SFUSD)
San Francisco State University
Education
M.A. in Mathematics, San Francisco State University
Thesis: The dual complex of Mgn, advised by Dr. Emily Clader
A.B. in Mathematics, Bryn Mawr College
Thesis: The unknotting number of Legendrian knots, advised by Dr. Lisa Traynor
Participant, Budapest Semesters in Mathematics
Participant, Women in Mathematics, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton
Lifelong Learning
In addition to learning and teaching math and technology, Kyla has studied math in Hungary and Colombia, Iyengar Yoga in India, and salsa and afro-Cuban dance in Cuba. She is developing fluency in Spanish and American Sign Language.