About Me

Hi! My name is Beth Chinderle and I am an elementary math specialist and modern quilter. I knew as early as 3rd grade that my calling in life was to be a teacher. Little did I know this adolescent dream would evolve into a sincere passion for math along with the perfect application of this creative subject - sewing!

My Math Journey

After high school, I was accepted into Illinois State University to study Elementary Education. I took my first math class on how to teach children mathematics and received a very discouraging D. I remember conferencing with my professor at the time and telling her, "I can do the algorithms, why do I need to draw it out?" I didn't understand. I needed at least a C to stay in the elementary education program so I took this course again. Of course, when I looked at my class schedule, I was assigned "the" hardest professor. Several late nights and a dozen math assignments later, I started realizing that I spent my whole life in school getting As and Bs in math but I could not tell you the mathematical why behind all of the algorithms I learned. So, I started studying math.

For my last semester at ISU, I got a wild hair and did some student teaching in San Antonio. This resulted in attending a job fair where I learned about a school district just northwest of Austin and I landed an interview. During this interview, the principal at the time asked me about math instruction. I shared with her my journey and passion and she seemed open to me teaching math differently than how most of us were taught. I came back to Illinois, graduated, and packed up my 1991 Cavalier with a trunk full of clothes and moved my life to Austin so I could teach 3rd graders math differently.

A few years later I became a math teacher leader which eventually led to an interview to become an elementary math curriculum specialist extraordinaire. (Life tip: When your job title is long and/or boring, you can spruce it up by adding a positive adjective at the beginning or end.) With nearly a decade of experience in this position, I truly learned and studied how children learn math at a deeper level. It gave me the opportunity to work with thousands of educators - teachers, instructional coaches, principals, and the community.  Now, I get to opportunity to travel and facilitate math workshops here in Texas and around the country. I'm truly grateful and humbled by these experiences I've had in life. I can't wait to see what the future has in store!

My sewing journey

It was spring in 2008 and my 4th grade students were restless. I wanted to get their attention for a lesson with someone talking other than me so that night I hand stitched a puppet using an old pillowcase. Petunia Erin was born! I loved the application of geometry and measurement while sewing, so about ten puppets later I decided to purchase a inexpensive sewing machine. From there I couldn't stop making. Shortly after I bought my machine, a dear friend gave me a rail fence quilt pattern and in April 2012 my first quilt was finished! I couldn't believe all of the math connections found in quilt making. To me, it is the perfect way to apply mathematics learning in a creative way. (Check out this gallery of my math quilts.)

A few months later, I joined the Austin Modern Quilt Guild and served for two years as the Vice President of Events. This year one of my quilts, Heart of Gold, was on display in Pasadena, California during Quiltcon, which is a Quilt show and conference held by the Modern Quilt Guild.

I love to make all sorts of handmade goods for myself, friends, family, and the world! For several years I sewed and blogged under the alias 'Bettina Danger' and now I keep all my endeavors under my real name - Beth Chinderle. Check out the items I have for sale in my shop. Something might be calling your name!

Last thoughts

Life is shorter than we think. Stay postive. Stay humble. Never forget that anything is possible. Find your passion and keep on moving forward on day at a time and one step at a time. We will never beat the clock but we can live each minute of every day to the fullest possible. Whatever your passion in life -

Do what you love and

love what you do

because one day

that will become YOU!