Miller, Maria: - Maria Miller was born and grew up in Finland where she also received a master's degree in mathematics in 1997. She loves math and teaching, so becoming a math teacher was a natural career for her. Miller started writing math books in 2002, prompted by her experiences in tutoring homeschooled children. She felt the books they were using were inferior, especially when it came to conceptual understanding of mathematics, so she began to write books that focus on the concepts and the "why" of mathematics, though not forgetting the "how" and the needful practice. Over the years, her materials have become popular and appreciated, both among parents and teachers. In her free time, she likes walking, bicycling, swimming, reading, helping out with Inspire4.com, playing piano, and listening to music.