Centering Humanity in Mathematics
I’m Nicole L. Fonger — a professor, researcher, and motherscholar working at the intersection of mathematics education, justice, and community. This is where I link research and practice, and share what I’m learning along the way.
About Nicole
Nicole L. Fonger is an Associate Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics Education at Syracuse University.
As a community-engaged scholar, she blends research, teaching, and creativity to support meaningful learning of algebra and advance equity in mathematics education.
Nicole is also a sketchnoter, writer, and mother of three based in Syracuse, NY.
Dr. Fonger offers consulting services, graphic storytelling, and professional development.
Featured Work
Making Algebra Meaningful (Book)
August 23, 2024
In Making Algebra Meaningful, Nicole L. Fonger invites educators, researchers, and community members into a transformative vision of mathematics — one rooted in equity, creativity, and purpose. Through beautifully hand-drawn sketchnotes, she explores how algebra can be taught and learned in ways that are deeply humanizing.
This book offers a unique blend of theory, practice, and visual storytelling, supporting educators in designing classroom experiences that center multiple representations, meaningful connections, and justice-oriented pedagogies. Whether you’re a teacher looking to reimagine your curriculum or a researcher searching for fresh, accessible perspectives, this book offers both inspiration and actionable tools.
The Data Warriors
May 16, 2025
The Data Warriors is a vibrant, community-based initiative focused on transforming how students experience mathematics in Syracuse. Co-founded by Ken Keech and Nicole L. Fonger in 2022, and supported by a collective of educators, youth leaders, researchers, and families, the coalition works at the intersection of mathematics, justice, and action. From organizing events like Safe Communities showcases and environmental justice summits to co-designing antiracist math curricula with youth, this work centers critical reflection, creativity, and advocacy.
Rooted in Dr. Gholdy Muhammad’s framework of cultivating genius, the coalition supports learning experiences that affirm students’ identities and center joy, intellect, skill, and criticality in math classrooms. Whether you’re a teacher, student, community member, or change maker, this coalition invites you to be part of reimagining algebra as a liberatory practice.
As an educator, motherscholar, researcher, and artist, my work centers on building meaningful, humanizing experiences in math. Every sketch, paper, or lesson is part of a larger story — a commitment to justice, to youth, and to changing how we think about learning.
“The world is your playground”
Dr. Nicole Fonger
From the blog
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Shifting perspectives.
In my journey of becoming a mathematics educator, one lesson I’ve learned over and over, is that your perspective matters. In this series of sketchnotes I share how my perspective on what counts as meaningful mathematics learning and teaching has shifted over time.
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Meaningful math literacy.
Do what brings you joy. This mantra of centering joy has guided me to create a book that centers visualizations of many different ways to support and understand meaningful mathematics literacy. Next week I’ll be sharing some of the key ideas I develop in that book. Join me for this Free Webinar, Tuesday, April 15,…
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What is algebra?
What counts as meaningful algebra? Who is supported to learn algebra meaningfully? I’m excited to share a compilation of research and practice through the visual strategy of sketchnotes in a forthcoming book. Please reach out for inquiries about workshops and events. Fonger, N. L. (2024). Making algebra meaningful: A visual approach to math literacy for…
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“It was meaningful because…”
“It was meaningful because this is now my home” – research, design, and evaluation of meaningful math lessons at the undergraduate level. A zine.
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Culturally and historically responsive math tasks.
Here are the most recent iterations of the math tasks we use with youth and young adults. These lessons were collaboratively developed by the Antiracist Algebra Coalition, the Syracuse Truth Seekers, and the Meaningful Math Research Group at Syracuse University. Social and Environmental Justice Math Tasks Highway 81, Redlining, and White Flight, Population Trends, Linear…
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Cultivating math genius.
How do you cultivate students’ math genius? Through intentional designs for learning that build skills from students’ identities, that grow intellect and criticality, and that spark joy.
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A Sense of Place.
Teachers, students, education leaders, and researchers in Syracuse, NY came together at Cafe Sankofa on May 7, 2022 for “A Sense of Place” event.
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Are you white? (a Zine)
Are you white? Are you interested in learning about race and racism? Check out this zine as a way to learn more.
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How do you get started in community-engaged scholarship?
Community-Engaged Scholarship is about the co-creation of knowledge. It’s about being in relationship.
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What is Community-Engaged Scholarship?
I like to think of the “work” of linking research and practice along a continuum. This continuum may have at one extreme <use-inspired> research and at the ether, <community-engaged scholarship>. For me, I’ve learned from folks in the humanities and public scholars and artists, that community-engaged scholarship is intentional in disrupting power dynamics. Sometimes as…
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Joy in math is possible.
All images are copyright by the author, Nicole L. Fonger (c) 2021. You are welcome to use these images under a creative Commons License. However, please cite these resources accordingly.
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Rx. Breathe, nature, self-care.
Each of us has a story, has been stuck, has suffered affliction of one form or another. Our challenge then, remains an opportunity. See one another. Hold space for one another. Be. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are one.
Have questions? Want to consult with Nicole?
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