Gwen had a Bachelor of Arts from York University and a Master of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Gwen also retired from the public school system in 1993, after having taught from the young age of 16, and consulting for elementary teachers. Gwen was instrumental in writing the original Spirit of Math Program for grades 1-4 while teaching with Spirit of Math Schools Inc. Her love and understanding of children provided the foundation for many of the teaching methods used today in the Spirit of Math classes.