Our Team

Art of Problem Solving was founded by Richard Rusczyk in 2003 to create interactive educational opportunities for avid math students. Richard is the author or a co-author of 7 AoPS textbooks and a past Director of the USA Mathematical Talent Search. He was a participant in National MATHCOUNTS, a three-time participant in the Math Olympiad Summer Program, and a USA Mathematical Olympiad winner (1989). He received the World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions Paul Erdös Award in 2014. He graduated from Princeton University in 1993, and worked as a bond trader for D.E. Shaw & Company for four years. AoPS marks Richard's return to his vocation - educating motivated students.

In 2014, Glen founded a learning center in Morrisville, North Carolina, that two years later became the first AoPS Academy campus. Glen served as the National Director of AoPS Academy until his retirement in 2019. He has experience as a college math professor, statistician, and expert SAS programmer. He has been a professional math tutor for many years, and specializes in training academically-advanced and high-performing math students. Glen is a graduate of Duke University and holds a graduate degree in statistics from Boston University.

Loretta Johnson earned her Masters of Audio Engineering from NYU before completing her MBA and becoming a board-certified therapist. She was drawn to AoPS because of the mission and its impact on fostering a growth mindset in each student. With over 15 years of experience in the classroom both on-line and in person, she enjoys supporting students through the problem-solving process with real-world examples. Loretta identifies as a student-centered instructor who loves building rapport with each young learner.

Kari is a Senior Associate Director who has a passion for math and science education! Kari has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from UCLA, a master’s degree in environmental engineering, and over 15 years of experience as a STEM educator. She started by volunteering as a high school student, then became a private math tutor, a college instructor assistant, and led organizations that facilitated programs for students underrepresented in STEM. Despite having a successful career as an engineer, Kari felt a strong pull towards full-time education to help mold the next generation of problem solvers. Drawn to AoPS for its commitment to problem-solving, Kari blends fun with structure in her teaching, creating an engaging environment for students to thrive. She loves seeing her students embrace challenges readily and willing to make mistakes.

After spending her entire life afraid of it, McKenna accidentally fell in love with math during a community college class because of an amazing teacher. She realized that the way we approach education is as critical to success as the quality of the education itself, and decided to pursue a career in math education to pay forward the gift her teacher had given her. She joined the Honors Program and studied the effects of teaching for social justice on student engagement and excitement toward mathematics, which led her to the University of Washington, where she earned her Bachelors in Mathematics and Sociology. She has worked in math education and educational leadership ever since, passionate about exciting, empowering, and equitable education. She loves challenging students to become their own educational advocates, and her favorite thing about AoPS is the student-led, inquiry based approach that fosters leadership and ownership in students as they engage with mathematics. For McKenna, seeing the light in her students’ eyes as they make hard-earned discoveries and begin to fall in love with math themselves is the most rewarding part of teaching.

Emily's educational background includes a BA in English and an MA in education (curriculum & instruction), along with over five years of experience as a middle school language arts teacher. Throughout her teaching career, Emily has been passionate about integrating educational technology, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and implementing innovative teaching practices. She was drawn to AoPS Academies when she learned that AoPS values these educational principles while also providing fun and engaging learning experiences. Emily loves seeing her students grow in creativity and critical thinking, and being a part of that growth brings her joy!

Caitlin is local to San Diego with an abundance of experience working with families. She values the importance of education and strives to help students cultivate a happy, healthy, and welcoming Academy. Caitlin enjoys getting to build rapport with students throughout the year.

With a goal to bridge the gap between the creative world of art and the structured world of business, Cheyenne’s love for creativity and interest in functionality has led her to attaining four associates and an undergraduate position at the University of California, San Diego. Currently studying International Business, Cheyenne has also found herself in positions of creative direction and leadership, both among community events and inside classroom settings with kids and teens. Cheyenne loves learning how the world works as well as learning creative views on everything and anything. She runs on coffee and creativity, and loves spending time watching fun movies and TV shows of all kinds. She also enjoys reading comics and series, and sometimes, she’s even writing some.

Born and raised in San Diego, Ashley is deeply connected to the area. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business economics at UC San Diego. Ashley is a former AoPS student and credits it with helping her pass her Calculus classes.

Jilian is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus on marketing at the University of La Verne. Her professional journey has included roles in healthcare coordination and higher education admissions, where she developed a strong foundation in client relations and administrative support. Drawn to AoPS for its commitment to educational excellence, Jilian finds fulfillment in collaborating with students and staff to support their aspirations. She also enjoys interacting with prospective families and guiding them toward achieving educational success.

Monica was born and raised in small neighborhood in Oakland, CA. Bearing witness to her underserved community, she grew a passion for helping others early on. San Diego became her second home as she pursued her undergraduate degree at UC San Diego. She enjoys spending time by the water, gastronomy, and keeping up with her family and friends.

Kylee is a student at the University of California, San Diego, majoring in art history/theory and criticism. She is considering work in both the fields of teaching and conservation/restoration upon receiving her B.A. Kylee was drawn to AoPS because she loves working with students and felt that this could be great preparation for a future teaching career. When working with students, she feels most fulfilled when she can help spark their curiosity and willingness to learn.

Amrutha is a recent graduate of Torrey Pines High School and will begin studying electrical and computer engineering at the University of Southern California in the fall. Deeply interested in math, she has taken a wide range of courses and was a student at AoPS Academy Carmel Valley when it first opened. Outside of pursuing her own passion for STEM, she loves teaching; she is also an instructor at Kumon and has been peer-tutoring math for five years. Her favorite part about working with students is seeing the lightbulb go off in their brains when she helps them figure out creative ways to solve problems.

Anna is a neuroscience and comparative student at UCLA who has been with AoPS since 2022. As a former participant in math competitions, she was drawn to the idea of helping students succeed in the fields that she used to struggle with as well. She has taught students of all ages and enjoys helping people find fun in learning. Her favorite part of teaching is hearing all the funny stories that students tell as she gets to know them.

Elizabeth Kim is currently a rising senior at Canyon Crest Academy, intent on pursuing math and economics moving forward. She has experience tutoring students as well as TAing at her school. She was drawn to the welcoming and ready-to-learn atmosphere at AoPS, as well as being able to continue immersing herself in mathematics. Elizabeth's favorite part about working with students is being able to watch them progress over time and forming meaningful connections.

Natalie Marrewa is a recent graduate of the University of California, San Diego where she majored in political science, with a concentration in public policy, and double minored in urban planning and climate change studies. As a former AoPS student herself, Natalie enjoys utilizing AoPS curriculum to engage in critical thinking and deep learning. She appreciates the opportunity to work one-on-one with students as an AoPS math teaching assistant. She believes that allocating individual math support fosters a positive learning environment that allows space for students to learn to love math. Her favorite thing about working at AoPS is learning from her students, who often develop innovative problem-solving methods that re-engage her love for education.

Linh is a freshman at the University of Texas at Dallas. She was impressed by the teaching style and curriculum of AoPS when helping her younger sister with her homework. She loves seeing students become more confident as they learn and grow as problem solvers.

Matthew is a student at San Diego State University, where he studies mechanical engineering, and is a member of the Mechatronics team. Previously, he went to school at Mount Everest Academy, where he was the ASB president, and helped run an engineering club. He is also a former member of the FIRST robotics team at Clairemont High School. Outside of academics, Matthew is interested in origami and archery, and is an avid reader. Other hobbies include playing board games, building Lego sets, and tinkering with Arduino electronics. Having always been interested in math, Matthew is excited to work with the bright students at AoPS.

Emma is currently a senior attending Santa Fe Christian. She was drawn to AoPS because of her passion for teaching and her love of working with kids. She enjoys learning the many unique angles that each student decides to confront a problem with. Her teaching style is centered around guiding and encouraging students to find the “why” behind what they are doing.

Simone is a junior at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. She loves solving problems, especially ones where she is required to think outside of the box and come up with creative solutions. As a former AoPS student, Simone is eager to share her love and understanding of problem-solving with other students.

Isaac grew up in San Diego and is currently a student at Brown University studying physics. He is also passionate about math and computer science. He started taking classes with AoPS in 2016 and has been involved with the community ever since. He loves helping students learn and has done a lot of tutoring and coaching.

Gabriela is a passionate teaching artist who has previously starred in kids educational theatre and aspires to make the world a better place by educating and helping children grow into becoming the best version of themselves. She has a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University in Interdisciplinary Studies of Film, Women Studies, and Sociology. She is a screenwriter, educator, mentor, and activist. Gabriela's career with children started in middle school as a babysitter, then tutor, nanny, and finally she became a teaching artist. While she loves her other interests, nothing makes her happier than being in the classroom educating and inspiring children. Outside of her classroom, she spends her time biking, attempting to write her novel, cleaning the beach, reading rigorously, and bringing people together through her Diversity and Inclusion club.

Jessica has been an instructor at the Art of Problem Solving Academy since 2019, guiding students through the complexities of math and always emphasizing the 'why' behind each solution. With a BS in Applied Mathematics and a Masters in Data Science from the University of California, San Diego, her heart truly lies in the world of numbers. Beyond AoPS, Jessica applies her knowledge of data at an AI robotics company. Away from math and algorithms, she enjoys the thrill of snowboarding and has a soft spot for the gentle manatees.

Ethan is an accomplished educator with over ten years of experience in mathematics, statistics, and computer science. They hold a B.S. from Michigan State University and an M.S. from UC San Diego. Currently teaching at AoPS Academy and High Bluff Academy, Ethan is passionate about teaching calculus, linear algebra, and group theory. Additionally, they contribute to the College Board as a writer, developing AP Precalculus curriculum and SpringBoard lessons. Ethan’s research has been featured in the Journal of Statistics and Management Systems, and they are authoring additional textbooks. Drawn to AoPS for its innovative approach, Ethan loves seeing students grasp complex concepts. Their interactive, student-centered teaching style fosters critical thinking.

Logan is a passionate educator who is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments for all students. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from West Virginia University as well as her Masters of Education in Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Education from the University of North Carolina. Logan loves that AoPS is a place where students can learn at an accelerated pace and in a collaborative environment. She believes in making learning enjoyable and relatable by giving students opportunities to connect with each other and with the concepts they are exploring. Her teaching style puts the students at the center of their learning, nurturing them to do the heavy lifting and experience some productive struggle.

Robert is a San Diego native and received an honors degree in applied math degree from Harvard College. He returned to San Diego and became a high school math teacher for 22 years. Having taught everything from basic math to AP Calculus AB and AP Statistics, it was time to change things up and he joined AoPS during the pandemic. He loves seeing the joy students have when they understand a concept and working with students who are eager to learn, take risks and work together towards a common goal. He likes it when students lead the class in the discussion.

Bryn joined AoPS in 2021. She has a B.S. in physics, a master’s in STEM education, and taught physics courses in public high schools for a decade. Bryn is passionate about developing innovative and equitable curricula that nurture lifelong curiosity in all learners. She is also actively involved with the American Association of Physics Teachers and her local chapter in Southern California. In her free time, Bryn enjoys adventuring with her family throughout San Diego and the world via foot, bike, car, boat, or plane. She also has numerous hobbies such as photography, astronomy, reading, and martial arts.

Eleanor Blais has been teaching high school math for over 25 years. She is an honors graduate of Dartmouth College, with a major in Mathematics and Economics. The curriculum at AoPS drew Eleanor to teach here. She loves the depth and rigor involved. Working with students at AoPS has been truly rewarding for Eleanor, as she has been able to help them explore mathematics more deeply. She believes that she has helped enhance their mathematical abilities. Eleanor wants her students to push themselves and feel the rewards involved. That is her aim in teaching, particularly by helping students to see when questions should be asked.

Isachar has a bachelor's degree in applied physics and a master's in industrial engineering. She also took some units in PhD Physics. She was drawn to working at AoPS because they taught higher mathematics. They focus on developing student's critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Isachar enjoys teaching students and observing their progress. Her teaching style is engaging and student-centered. She is also patient and she aims to make complex concepts understandable.

Josh has many years of experience teaching science and math from middle school through college. Josh came to teaching math and science from the world of ecology, which he studied at Florida State University and San Diego State University. He loves to hear how students “see” their solutions to math problems and to observe students working collaboratively. In the classroom Josh strives to get all students voices into the discussion and encourages students to share even if they make mistakes.

Danielle brings with her 10 years of teaching experience at the elementary and high school levels. Her teaching journey began at Boston University where she earned both her undergraduate and master's degree in education. She then moved to sunny San Diego from Boston to teach full-time. She found her passion for teaching intermediate grades after she took a job teaching 4th grade. She loves working at AoPS because she enjoys working with students and families who are curious and engaged in learning. It is truly a teacher's dream to have a class full of students who are active participants in their learning. The thing she loves most about teaching is building relationships with students and pushing them to their potential. In terms of teaching style, Danielle aims to make her classroom a place where students feel seen, heard, and challenged. She likes to keep her classroom engaged and rigorous, but also loves to be in a classroom filled with laughter. She often will ask herself, if I was a student in my classroom, would I want to be here? If the answer is no, she changes accordingly. This has made it so her classroom is a place where everyone wants to be as both a teacher and student!

Kalin enjoyed 10 years in elementary classrooms before joining the AoPS curriculum team in 2022. Prior to teaching, Kalin worked as a children’s theater director and playwright, which ignited her love for storytelling. Kalin holds a master’s degree in elementary education from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in theater from the University of California, San Diego. As an AoPS instructor, Kalin loves watching students develop their voice as writers. She is an engaging teacher who brings learning to life with real-life examples, fostering frequent student participation and high expectations.

Arianna is a San Diego native and elementary school teacher, who pursued her BA in broadcasting/TV and film production at San Francisco State University. She worked in Los Angeles as a magazine writer and video editor; however, she later discovered her calling in education. She spent three years teaching English to middle school students in South Korea. In 2019, she returned to California to complete CSU San Marcos' credential program. This summer, she completed SDSU’s Master in Teaching: Language Arts program. She is approaching more than 5 years of teaching, and this will be her second year with AoPS. Her student-centered teaching continues to help her students flourish with the high demands of the curriculum, and she loves to see her students apply their critical thinking in creative ways.

Shannon has taught English literature, creative writing, reading, and grammar to a variety of learners ranging from elementary to college students. Since graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a master’s degree, she has taught in Japan, Singapore, and the US for over ten years. She fell in love with AoPS when watching her own children learn math with Beast Academy. Impressed with their fun and down-to-earth methods of instruction, she knew she would love being an instructor at AoPS - and does! She has a lifelong love of literature and writing, especially children’s literature, and loves discussing a good book with her students. Shannon enjoys asking her students questions to help stimulate discussions and boost their own creative and critical skills, and use the thinking skills they are practicing in class. For her, there is nothing more exciting than watching her class come alive as they grasp new concepts and have fun while learning.

Michelle is a mathematician who grew up in San Diego. She earned her bachelor’s in mathematical theory from Cal Poly Pomona and her master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of San Diego. She has experience as a high school math teacher as well as a private tutor and loves to share her enthusiasm for math any way she can. AoPS is one of the ways she looks forward to sharing the beauty of mathematics with her students and colleagues. Her teaching style can be described as student-focused and interactive. She enjoys bringing the material to life and making it applicable to demonstrate the connections.

Dr. Jim got his PhD in mathematics from UCSD in 2000, and was a university professor up until he became Campus Director of the Carmel Valley Campus in 2017, a position he held until 2022. Dr. Jim really enjoys working with students in person on complex problem solving, and is gratified to have so many contacts with different families in the area. Dr. Jim loves his job the best when a student comes up with a solution to a problem that he himself hadn't thought of. Students report that Dr. Jim is a paradoxical combination of laid back and authoritative.

Irene holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in instructional leadership. Her teaching credentials are in K-12 education, English, and social studies, and she has a cross-cultural, language, and Academic Development (CLAD) certificate. She has worked in Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District for 25 years and has held many different roles. AoPS allowed her to enjoy my retirement and continue to teach a few hours a week. Irene loves working with AoPS students because they have a thirst for knowledge and are engaged in their learning and classroom discussions. Her teaching style facilitates students' learning and creates a safe environment where students can learn and ask questions.

Jori has been an enthusiastic math teacher since 2006. Originally from Connecticut, she earned her teaching credential after graduating from Messiah College with a Bachelors of Science in elementary education. Since then, she has taught 4th through 8th grade math in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and San Diego! What Jori enjoys the most about AoPS is how enthusiastic both the students and staff are about learning. Jori loves pushing her students to their fullest potential through engaging lessons and challenging problems.

Bernardo has a bachelor's in mathematics from Universidad Simón Bolívar and a master's and Ph.D. in computer science from The University of Wisconsin-Madison. He taught college mathematics and scientific computing for more than 25 years. He was drawn to AoPS for the opportunity to do what he loves in helping strong students enjoy and learn mathematics. Bernardo loves it when students have the realization that they have just unlocked the solution to a problem, the "Aha!" moment. He encourages students to find answers to problems on their own. He asks questions to help guide students toward that goal. He creates a relaxed environment in which students feel comfortable interacting with him.

Casey's interest in math began in middle school through math competitions. He was a 4-time USAMO participant. He attended MIT for college and majored in math and physics. He later went on to do a math PhD at UCLA, which is where he found his passion for teaching. Casey has taught all levels of math, with students ranging from 10 to 40 years old. He views AoPS as a way of giving back to the community, appreciative of the environment that inspired him on his math journey. He loves seeing students' improvement and their enthusiasm for math grow after teaching a difficult topic. He enjoys lecturing using colors and metaphors to keep the class engaged. When presenting a problem, it is typical of him to call on each student around the room to contribute a step to its solution.

Garrett Gallear is a math teacher at AoPS. He has a masters degree in physics, and loves teaching all kinds of analytical problem solving! Garrett has taught in several different settings that include San Diego State University, Grossmont Community College, and subbing for several elementary, middle, and high schools in San Diego. When he is not teaching, Garrett likes to hang out with friends and play sports or board games, and sometimes just have a relaxing time at the beach or a park.

Tim is a scientist turned designer and educator. He worked for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a member of technical staff, and for the National Park Service as a bio tech and quantitative ecologist. Frustrated by the growing gap between science and society, and being both a trained scientist and a lifelong gamer, he decided to bring these skills together to help build a better future. In his role as designer and educator, Tim has built and taught a variety of innovative middle school science classes at One Spark Academy, where he also pioneered a tradition of Pi Day whipped-cream pie fights. In more serious work, he has taught several classes in the Game Design track at the Art Center College of Design, has published two nature-oriented science games, and has more games in the works. Now, as a Curriculum Developer for AoPS, he puts those same skills to use in building life sciences courses for AoPS Academy.

Anu has always had a passion for mathematics and learning from a young age. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in Special Education Integrated Studies from Liberty University in 2019. Anu taught high school mathematics for two years at a boarding school before transitioning into a position as an elementary special education teacher. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in curriculum and instruction with a focus in mathematics education at the University of San Diego. When she is not teaching or studying, Anu enjoys reading, cycling, and taking walks with her dog.

Lindsey has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Middle Level Math and Science Education from Harding University, and a master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Middlebury Institute of International Studies. She has ten years of experience teaching in Mexico and California. She was drawn to AoPS because of the excitement the students here have for learning. She loves seeing her students make connections and figure out new ways to solve problems. Her teaching style includes encouraging her students to explain their thinking, reading in funny voices, and celebrating correct answers and new problem-solving skills.

Sheri received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno. After graduating, she started her teaching journey volunteering as a math/science teacher for the Peace Corps in Namibia. This definitely sparked her interest and love of teaching in non traditional ways. After working in the biotech industry for several years, she has found herself back teaching in San Diego. The advocacy that AoPS has for active learning really drew her to the Academy because she also believes that is the best way to learn. Sheri's teaching style is student-centered and truly believes that students benefit from learning by doing. She loves working with students because they are honestly the best teachers. They give her the opportunity to experience a topic for the first time and seeing how their minds work continues to inspire her teaching.

Jason graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in mathematics. Here, he found a love of math instruction through community outreach, tutoring, and as a teaching assistant. He is excited to be teaching for AoPS, and loves the way that working with students changes the way he thinks about math. Jason’s main goal in the classroom is to build confidence in students, to create an environment where every student feels comfortable sharing and asking questions. He seeks to do this with a combination of patience, enthusiasm, and deep appreciation for the power of mathematical thinking.

California earned her bachelor's degree in writing and literature from the College of Creative Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. While studying, she practiced teaching at home and abroad. She was a teacher’s assistant for undergraduate fiction and non-fiction creative writing workshops, volunteered as a poetry teacher at a local middle school, and as an English teacher in Italy at a public middle school and private international preschool. Always interested in research and honing her craft, she is a proud recipient of her college’s summer undergraduate research fellowship and a two-time presenter at her college’s Research and Creative Activities Conference. In her free time, California employs her research and creative skills by baking new treats and working towards publishing her novels.

Ellen is a lifelong AoPS-er. Ellen grew up in a mathematical family, where she was introduced to AoPS textbooks at a young age and spent her school years competing in and training her fellow students for contests like MATHCOUNTS and the AMCs. Driven by her passion for nurturing communities of learning enthusiasts, Ellen led the Cal “Women in Mathematics” organization while earning her BS in applied math from UC Berkeley and taught problem solvers of all ages at the LA, Berkeley, and Stanford math circles for nearly a decade. Ellen joined the full-time AoPS team in 2019 and is currently the Director of Engagement and Growth for Textbooks and Online Services. Prior to this role, Ellen helped lead several physical AoPS Academy locations throughout California, including as Campus Director of the Pleasanton campus. After a year of focusing on business strategy, Ellen is eager to be back with students in-person, spreading the joy of learning to more excited, bright future leaders.

Stephanie has been working with AoPS students since 2017 and was previously an Associate Director at AoPS Academy Bellevue. Stephanie has always had a deep interest in understanding how the world works. This led to the decision to major in mathematics and physics at Washington State University and led to tutoring others in math and science classes while in school. She quickly realized how much fun it is to help people explore new and difficult concepts by challenging them to think through their own ideas. She then spent two years as a graduate student in mathematics at the University of Colorado, where being a TA who taught Calculus was the most rewarding part. Next steps included teaching students of all ages and ability levels, including teaching high school math and science for three years. Stephanie loves working with students who are excited about math, helping them rise to new challenges and discover new problem-solving strategies, but also loves working with those who aren't as excited about math, helping them to see how fun and rewarding it can be. When not talking about math, Stephanie enjoys traveling, hiking, and making crochet hats.

Isaac Li joined AoPS as a math curriculum developer upon completing a bachelor's degree in mathematics from UCLA. He was a frequent instructor for AlphaStar Academy, and a problem writer and test organizer for various contests including mathleague.org and the Berkeley Math Tournament. He calls the Bay Area home (Daly City / San Jose). Isaac enjoys writing interesting math problems, teaching, and creating levels for rhythm games.

Ms. Michelle earned her undergraduate in English at SDSU, where she also earned her State of California teaching credential. She earned a master's in teaching and went on to work in public schools for 20 years. She developed classes in reading for high schoolers and taught Advanced Placement English Language. Her students have gone on to elite universities such as Stanford, Yale, and Cornell. Michelle was the lead teacher for a collaboration project between high school teachers and college instructors, lecturing at both Grossmont Community College and San Diego State University. After her early retirement, she found she missed working with students. When the AoPS team contacted her, she couldn't believe it was real! After 10 years of working with gifted students in A.P. English, she was grateful to be returning to the classroom. Like AoPS, Michelle believes that students are at the core of every decision in the classroom, and that kindness, compassion, and laughter make the best learning environment.

Jennifer is a creative educator who truly enjoys spending time with children of all ages. She was born and raised in San Diego, California and has more than 20 years of experience in education. Jennifer started her career as a kindergarten teacher and has also taught 4th and 5th grade. She earned her liberal arts degree, minor in English, specialization in Children’s Literature, Multiple Subject CLAD credential and Single Subject English teaching credential, through San Diego State University. Jennifer also earned her Gifted and Talented Education Certification through UCSD. Jennifer moved out of the classroom and into the field of instructional design and training once she started having children of her own. She worked in Ed Tech for 15 years and most recently has been working in corporate learning and development for the past 4 years. Jennifer’s children are all previous AoPS Academy students, two of her children are now in college, and one is still in middle school. All of Jennifer’s children tested into their school’s GATE programs and she volunteered at all of their elementary schools. Now that her children are older Jennifer has really missed getting to work with and being around elementary aged students. When she attended a recent AoPS open mic night put on by the children of the AoPS Writing Club, she felt called to go back to teaching and applied to work at AoPS. Jennifer has used the Beast Academy curriculum at home with her son and as a parent when her son took an in-person Beast class for a year. She believes math is best taught and learned in real world contexts through in-depth creative problem solving. Jennifer is excited about getting to teach AoPS Academy's new Level 1 Beast Academy curriculum with AoPS's youngest students! Jennifer is also a children’s book author and is working on getting her first middle grade fantasy novel published. She is also excited about getting to teach AoPS Middle School Foundations Language Arts class!

Brian has been working in computer science education his whole career. After earning a BS in Mathematics, Brian began tutoring others, where he discovered his love for teaching. He spent many years crafting CS lessons and projects for high school students, always trying to see how far he could push their skills. Brian continued his education by earning an MS in Computer Science from Georgia Tech. His commitment to education and personal relationships has helped inspire countless students to pursue careers in technology. When not teaching or building curriculum, Brian is an avid board game enthusiast and escape room fan. He continues to seek new ways to challenge his mind and have fun.

Cecilia Mullon attended the University of Illinois Circle Campus and obtained her BA in elementary education and MS in teaching mathematics. She started teaching in 1982 as an AT In UICC Saturday College and has since then taught grades Pre-K - College Discrete Mathematics, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 Geometry and Algebra 2. During Covid she began looking at online mathematics. AoPS drew her attention. Being a passionate math educator, when she was able to teach in person she applied to AoPS. Cecilia loves witnessing the "ah-ha" moments when people start seeing, enjoying and understanding the math in the world. She teaches incorporating the four main learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. Most learn best by doing. Allowing students to explore, play, observe, test, discuss, and work alone and in groups is necessary for students to see and understand the math.

Shawn Murali is an educator from the Bay Area focusing on computer science, math, and physics with bachelor's degree in mathematics from UC San Diego. He began his teaching journey in 2014, cementing a lifelong passion for facilitating the development of critical thinking skills in his students and finding creative ways to present hard problems. He is most excited by the rapid advancement in the field of AI-driven computer graphics and simulation at this time. He is also currently preoccupied with attempting to train a super mutt puppy in San Diego.

Vivian earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Education at UCLA. She then received her Master of Arts in Teaching at SDSU and is currently teaching math to high school students at High Tech High through a project-based lens. When Vivian learned of the unique problem-solving and outside-of-the-box thinking that AoPS fosters in its students, she knew she wanted to be a part of that experience. Her favorite part about working with students is being able to build their self-confidence in math, especially when they claim to not see themselves as a "math person." She believes that learning should be interactive, fun, and student-led with a lot of positive reinforcement and encouragement from the teacher.

Whitney joined AoPS in 2022 after spending the better part of a decade teaching math at the community college level. She has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from USD and a master's degree in math from SDSU. Her experience teaching students from underprivileged backgrounds cultivated a desire to make the beauty of mathematics accessible to everyone. She enjoys group problem solving and discussing unique solutions and conceptualizations. When not working, Whitney enjoys taking her dogs to the beach and puttering around in her vegetable garden.

Tynan has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Caltech and a PhD in mathematics from UT Austin. Before joining AoPS full time as Team Lead for Academy math curriculum, Tynan worked in various educational roles, including grading for AoPS Online, leading a recreational mathematics and MATHCOUNTS program at a middle school in Los Angeles, and serving as a research mentor and mathematics liaison for UT Austin's pre-collegiate STEM outreach program. Tynan maintains a deep commitment to mathematics education, and his favorite part of working with students is seeing how open they can be to complex mathematical ideas. In the classroom, Tynan adheres to pure AoPS pedagogical principles, blending inquiry-based and problem-based approaches to learning. He is a firm believer that students learn best when they work together to wrestle with interesting and challenging problems.

Mariebelle is a 25-year experienced kindergarten through fifth grade teacher. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and a master’s in education from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She enjoys teaching at AoPS and challenging her students. She has high expectations of her students and wants each of them to strive to be their best. Her teaching style includes building connections with students and relating new learning to prior experiences.

Wei has a master’s degree in applied mathematics from San Diego State University, complementing her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and a master's degree in electrical engineering from Michigan Technological University. In 2019, Wei decided to follow her passion for math and teaching, becoming an instructor at AoPS. She loves the joy students experience when they realize math is beautiful and not as hard as they thought, as well as when students have the realization that they have just unlocked the solution to a problem, the "Aha!" moment. Wei focuses on guiding students to discover the solutions to math problems. She encourages different ways of approaching problems since there may not be a single best approach for all students. She encourages students to find answers to problems on their own and asks questions to help guide students toward that goal She creates a relaxed environment in which students feel comfortable interacting with her.

Kerson earned a master’s degree in applied mathematics from San Diego State University. He is currently working on a second master's degree in data science. He received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois. Prior to that, he was awarded a certificate in advanced electronics weapon systems from the Naval School in Pensacola Florida during his military career. He was drawn to AoPS because of his passion for teaching and his love of working with kids. What he loves most about working with math students is witnessing their "aha" moments when complex concepts suddenly click and they understand something deeply for the first time. "It's incredibly rewarding to see their confidence grow as they realize their own potential". His teaching style is student-centered, focusing on active learning where students do the heavy lifting. He provides guidance and support, helping them navigate through the process. This approach encourages independence and critical thinking, allowing students to take ownership of their learning and develop a deeper understanding of the material.

Jacob has taught high school and college students for over 9 years. He loved math growing up but started to appreciate its depth and beauty more fully during his studies at Harvard University. Afterward, he attended graduate school for math at UC San Diego, where he did research in number theory. As a teaching assistant and instructor for a variety of college courses, Jacob enjoyed connecting with many different students. His favorite part of teaching is seeing students gain confidence in areas with which they initially struggle. Aside from number theory, he especially likes algebra and probability.

Evan has been teaching math, science, robotics, and engineering at independent schools in San Diego for the last 10 years. He originally earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder and is now back in school pursuing a master's degree in aerospace engineering because of his desire to transition to being a rocket scientist. While teaching, he often shares slow motion videos of interesting physics phenomena that he has taken and gives students additional riddles and logic puzzles to stretch students understanding in all direction. Outside of the classroom, Evan enjoys oil painting and participating in a philosophy discussion group.

Melissa graduated from California University Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts in English education with an emphasis in journalism. After a few years of teaching, she continued her education and graduated with a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University Irvine. She was drawn to AoPS looking for new strategies and curriculum to enrich students. Melissa loves building relationships with students and finding the right techniques that help them in their learning process. Her teaching style is a classroom where students are collaboratively working with one another with the instruction of the teacher. She encourages students to take risks and try new things in their writing.

Linda is a dedicated educator with a master's in education and over 13 years of classroom teaching experience. Linda has worked as a coach, teacher & curriculum writer throughout her career. She holds multiple subject teaching certifications, with specialized certifications in gifted education, social sciences, and English as a Second Language. She also has her CTE (Career & Technical Education) credential in communication and information technologies. Math, history, and technology are Linda's favorite subjects to teach. The AoPS curriculum hooked Linda from the start. She was intrigued by its engaging and challenging classes and was hooked when she saw the AoPS students' amazing abilities in action. Linda enjoys getting to know and understand her students as unique individuals with diverse needs. She strives to help students to be motivated, lifelong learners, who pursue their strengths and passions.

Ryan is an award-winning journalist and screenwriter. He is assuredly no relation to Lord Voldemort. His work has appeared in the San Francisco Bay Guardian, the Palo Alto Daily Post, Fast Co Design, Comics Bulletin, and 99U. He’s also recently published a short prose story. Nowadays, he's a screenwriter, working on various projects for TV/Film and comics. He’s a 2023 Austin Film Festival Finalist for his STAR TREK STRANGE NEW WORLDS script, “Have Phaser — Will Travel.” His Superman script is also on The Stunt List. When Ryan is not teaching at AoPS Academy, he spends time with his dog Reggie and cosplaying as Captain Kirk.

Brenda has been teaching English for more than two decades. After graduating with a degree in theatre arts and literature from the University of California, San Diego, she completed the LAUSD District Intern Program and received her California teaching credential in second education. She loves teaching and challenging the students at AoPS. She especially loves teaching creative writing. Brenda's teaching style is methodical, but she loves building a strong, healthy rapport with all her students.

Jack joined AoPS in 2020 as the Academy Language Arts Curriculum Lead. Despite being drawn to math in high school, he completed a BA in philosophy from Arizona State University and an MA in religion from Yale University. Jack taught a variety of philosophy courses at the college level before entering a PhD program in philosophy at Purdue University. During his doctoral program, Jack fell in love with crafting lesson plans that helped students become more creative and analytical thinkers, so he moved to San Diego to teach humanities classes at a private school. Jack has since been working at AoPS, first as a language arts instructor, and most recently as the Product Director for the Language Arts program at AoPS Academy. In his free time, Jack enjoys running, reading, and spending time with his family.

Colin was born and raised in San Diego. He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of California, Irvine. While attending UCI, Colin was a part of the Anteaters Math Club, where he served as external affairs coordinator. This gave him the opportunity to reach out to guest speakers in the fields of pure mathematics, applied mathematics, and related industry. Since graduation, Colin has been a tutor, a teacher's assistant at UCSD, and an English teacher in South Korea. Colin is a passionate beach goer but also likes to spend his time growing culinary mushrooms.

Talena has been with AoPS since 2021, teaching a variety of math courses. She is originally from Houston, TX and followed in her love of numbers and her parents’ career path by majoring in finance at the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘em, Horns!), eventually earning her Master of Business Administration before deciding that she liked teaching about mathematics more to students than to adults. She became a teacher in 2006 and earned her master’s degree in education from UT Arlington in 2014. Talena has taught for several years internationally as well as here in California and is extremely excited to bring her love of mathematics to more students! She is currently a middle school math teacher and K-8 math coordinator at the San Diego French American School. When she’s not in the classroom, you’ll find her either being sat on by one of her three cats or out on one of the many hiking trails in East County.

Andrea was born and raised in Germany and moved to San Diego when she was 21 years old to study math at SDSU. She had incredible math teachers throughout high school and knew early on that she wanted to become a math teacher. Andrea started teaching at SDSU as a teaching assistant while getting her masters. Since then she has taught at SDSU, Mesa College, Grossmont College, some private high schools as well as AoPS academy. She has a passion for teaching and especially loves the math curriculum at AoPS.

Shawna is a native of San Diego with a love for education and creativity. She has a BA in liberal studies from SDSU, a K-8 teaching credential from National University, and an MA in teaching. Shawna has always had a passion for literature, writing, grammar, and debate. She has many years of experience teaching 7th and 8th grade ELA in the Santee School District. Recently, she transitioned to a new role as a visual arts teacher, working with kindergarten through sixth grade students. This shift has allowed her to share her love for creativity and artistic expression with her art students. Shawna was drawn to AoPS for its structure, rigor, and the amazing team of dedicated educators. She enjoys guiding students in their educational journey, helping them become critical thinkers and problem solvers, and at the same time, cultivating a sense of curiosity and discovery.

Prior to his time at AoPS, Steven earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering with minors in literature and mathematics from UC San Diego. While the likelihood of solving engineering problems, reading stories, and calculating the odds of success of hard work all at the same time seems marginal at best, conditioned on the desire to learn and teach, the posterior belief that Steven holds is that with enough imagination, creativity, and practice, one can achieve great success. Having tutored all levels of high school math, chemical engineering, and statistics/data science, Steven strives to help students improve their problem-solving skills. Outside of teaching, Steven enjoys performing research, spontaneously going out to community events, and probably writing probability puns.

Olivia earned her Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, with a minor in public policy. A true multi-disciplinarian, she constantly explores different projects to expand her passion for writing, history, politics, and current events, including her roles as an editor of the Berkeley Asian American Research Journal and a freelance literary and photojournalist. She admires AoPS' out-of-the-box and forward-thinking curriculum that challenges and engages students while emphasizing practical application and real-life scenarios. Olivia loves teaching because it allows her to inspire students to be excited about learning, just like she is. Her teaching style is enthusiastic and impassioned, yet informative and enlightening. She encourages students to stay curious and never stop asking questions.

Tina Tai has been a teacher for over 20 years. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a multi-subject credential in grades 1-6, she went on to teach in public and private schools, designed curriculum and taught for after-school programs, and tutored students in math and language arts. She has especially enjoyed her opportunities to teach Honors Math and English Language Arts for AoPS, both virtually and in person, and has a strong belief that learning should be fun as well as challenging. When she’s not teaching, she loves to read, travel, and spend time at the beach with her three beautiful daughters, her two adorable dogs, and her handsome husband.

Janelle has been teaching math and language arts at AoPS Academy since 2021. She was drawn to the growth mindset AoPS fosters and to the curiosity and creative thinking that AoPS lessons spark in students. Her teaching style is collaborative and responsive, and she loves hearing her students' insights and unique perspectives. Her background is eclectic and includes coordinating clinical trials and editing promotional materials at a large pharmaceutical company, teaching yoga and early parenting classes, and educating her two children at home...and she's a published author. In addition to teaching at AoPS, Janelle volunteers with a literacy nonprofit editing and designing language arts curricula and is an aspiring voice actor.

Meet Miss Nona, a whimsical wizard of words with a dash of tomfoolery and a sprinkle of motivational magic. With a degree in psychology and a master’s in classical text (cue the Elizabethan fanfare), they’ve conquered the art of understanding both the complex language and history of the ages. As a teacher at AoPS, they were drawn like a moth to a flame by the enchanting philosophy of higher learning. Their teaching style? Think self-motivated learning meets a carnival of creativity, sprinkled with humor and a pinch of community spirit. But wait, there’s more! When they’re not wielding their educational wand at AoPS, they’re crafting accessible ways to explore wonders of William Shakespeare’s canon for the BIPOC/SOAR Foundation, where they help develop curriculum for underrepresented students in the San Diego area. What do they love most about their students? Ah, that’s where the magic truly sparkles. Every student is a treasure trove of curiosity and passion, capable of turning even the gloomiest of days into a comedy of errors (in the best possible way, of course). So, if you’re ever in need of a linguistic adventure or a dramatic twist to your learning journey, look no further than Miss Nona. They’re ready to sprinkle a bit of magic into your world, one word at a time.

Suzanne has bachelor's and master's degrees in economics and started out in banking and investments. After having started a family, she became a guest teacher in the Del Mar and the Solana Beach school districts then a math specialist for Solana Santa Fe Elementary. As a math specialist, she taught Math Olympiad enrichment classes and worked with students who enjoyed learning a challenging yet fun curriculum - a philosophy that AoPS shares. She loves the ah-ha moments and confidence students gain over time in their ability and in advocating for themselves. Her teaching style is firm yet fun, enthusiastic, and caring.

Matthew joined AoPS in 2021. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara in 2009, he became a certified teacher and spent a decade teaching internationally. He has taught world history and language arts in various educational settings, from enrichment programs to international high schools. His classroom experience has taken him from Shanghai, China, to Santiago, Chile, where he's taught and designed curricula for thousands of multicultural students from elementary school to high school. He's driven by creating interactive, dynamic, and engaging learning experiences that challenge students and spark their creativity. Outside of work, you'll likely find Matthew listening to podcasts, playing board games, playing volleyball, or exploring new places.

Ellen Wright has taught English and other subjects for the past 5 years in San Diego and Arizona. Before that, she was a professional journalist. She holds a masters from New York University in creative writing. She enjoys challenging students to be the best writers they can be. Ellen loves laughter and making sure students are having fun while learning. She specifically finds enrichment in seeing what students find out of a text that she might have missed.