Kyla Quillin, M.A.

Mathematician,
Curriculum Innovator,
Mentor

A woman standing outdoors near trees, wearing a patterned shirt and a teal blazer, with short curly brown hair, smiling slightly.

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 have shaped my mathematical journey — from studying advanced mathematics at Bryn Mawr College and Budapest Semesters in Mathematics, to graduate study at San Francisco State University, to my work as a data scientist. 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

12 years (8,000+ hours) tutoring and mentoring individuals who crave extra challenge and depth of understanding

4 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:

Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM)
Johns Hopkins’ Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
Math Circle at The Hamlin School (San Francisco, CA)
The Nueva School (San Mateo, CA)
San Francisco Math Circle
Court School inside San Francisco Juvenile Hall (SFUSD)
San Francisco State University
San Francisco Waldorf Middle & High Schools

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 (full scholarship as a Trustee Fellow)
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

Publications

Boundary complexes of moduli spaces of curves in higher genus, with Emily Clader and Dante Luber. In Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society, 2022.

Lifelong Learning

In addition to learning and teaching math and technology, I have studied math in Hungary and Colombia, Iyengar Yoga in India, and salsa and afro-Cuban dance in Cuba. For many years I’ve danced in the San Francisco Carnaval parade, among other performances. I am developing fluency in Spanish and American Sign Language.

Kyla Quillin, M.A.

Mathematician, Curriculum Innovator, Mentor

Experience

Education

Publications

Lifelong Learning

Testimonials

You’re the best thing that happened to us during the pandemic!

— Family who’s been working with me ever since

You really turned around [our daughter’s] relationship to math!

— Parent, Marin Academy

— K & J, Parents, Hamlin & Branson

“My confidence level has gone up a lot and my stress level has gone down because I know I can go over challenging problems with Kyla. I’ve earned an A in every class since working with her.”

— Student, 8th grade, Convent

“In addition to her deep knowledge, the joy and humor which she brings to any interaction is perfect for students. I highly recommend Kyla to any student who wants to learn challenging math with a fun and supportive expert as a guide!”

— Mark Shoemaker, Professor at Colorado State

“I truly appreciate how Kyla values depth over memorization—an approach that is rare and truly impactful. I would highly recommend Kyla to any student or family looking for someone who can nurture curiosity, build strong skills, and help students go beyond their classroom learning.”

— Nina, IB Teacher at Stuart Hall

“Kyla has been an indispensable source of academic support for both our middle and high school daughters. Over the summer, she even helped our high schooler master a full year of math, enabling her to pass the placement test and advance to a higher-level course. Kyla is AMAZING!”

— Parent, Hamlin & Branson

“Kyla is a strong mathematician and a kind, thoughtful educator. I trust her mathematical taste, teaching style, and fun-factor gauge.”

— Emily McCullough, former Director of the San Francisco Math Circle

“I would recommend Kyla (and I have!) as a math tutor because I know she delivers results and is an agreeable, encouraging teacher.”

— Parent of 7th grader at Hamlin

“We wish we had found you sooner!”

— Parent of Hamlin 7th grader

“We really benefited from Kyla’s consistent tutoring of our kids. We knew they needed enrichment and to be pushed, but knew we could not do it ourselves. We put them in Kyla’s hands and knew with great confidence that they would be doing exactly what we had hoped.”

— Parent

“My older child placed well in high school math after working with Kyla, and my younger child has not yet entered high school but got a near perfect score on the math section of the SSAT.”

— Parent

“I would recommend Kyla (and I have!) as a math tutor because I know she delivers results and is an agreeable, encouraging teacher.”

— Parent of 7th grader at Hamlin

“Thanks to Kyla’s intuitive and creative approach, our daughter has gained tremendous confidence and I dare say enjoys math and is doing great. Kyla became part of our family and was often the only person who could work with [our child] on a difficult day.”

— Parent of 4th grader at Hamlin

“I love the reports. They allow me to check-in and have math-related conversations with my son. I could connect his lesson with Kyla and what they did at school.”

— Mary Dennis, Parent of 8th grader at Children's Day School

“Kyla is patient, relatable, reliable, a good communicator and easy to talk to. I like that she role models that women are strong in math.”

— Parent of 7th grader at Hamlin

“Kyla teaches me in a creative way that’s not just telling me stuff. She is very understanding and helpful and makes the lessons fun.”

— Student, 7th grade

“Going to math class no longer gives me anxiety attacks, and I’ve stopped avoiding my math homework. I’ve gained a lot of confidence in my own ability to do math.”

— Student, CAIS, 8th grade

“It was a comfortable space where we didn’t have to feel judged or ashamed if we did something wrong.”

— Student, 7th grade, BEAM Summer Program

“The questions were frustrating but fun and I loved the challenge!”

— Student, 7th grade, BEAM Summer Program

Mathematician,
Curriculum Innovator,
Mentor