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.

Julie earned undergraduate degrees in business and Spanish, and an MA in Spanish literature from the University of Georgia where she also studied French. She has taught language courses at Georgia State University in Atlanta and Pace University in New York. Julie also taught English at Berlitz Rock Center before starting her own business teaching Business English to the employees of global companies with offices in New York. Before joining AoPS when the Princeton Academy opened in 2019, she worked as a freelance writer/web content creator and managed the Berlitz Princeton Language Center. Julie loves to share her passion for books, words, grammar, languages, and writing with students of all ages and across all levels. In harmonious alignment with AoPS teaching philosophy, her teaching style is an interdisciplinary one where she is highly driven to support students in improving their written and spoken communication skills. Also in perfect alignment with AoPS’s mission, Julie’s classes are both challenging and engaging.

Christian earned his bachelor's degrees in mathematics and computer science from the University of Pittsburgh, a master's degree in applied mathematics from UC San Diego, and a master's in education from Rutgers. He has held various positions that involved working on educational software, teaching and assisting with college-level math and education courses, and doing educational research. Christian has always has a passion for sharing the beauty of mathematics with other people. AoPS Academy — whose curriculum emphasizes reasoning over routine — was the perfect place to pursue this goal, and he is proud to be a part of the AoPS Academy Princeton team.

Amy's passion for writing and reading led her to become a teacher of middle school, high school, and college students. She holds a BA in English from Boston University and an MFA in Creative Writing and Literature from Stony Brook University. In addition to teaching, Amy is a travel writer, essayist, and creative writer. She has taught Creative Writing at Stony Brook University and English Composition at the Community College of Philadelphia. Above all, she enjoys challenging her students and watching them find their own literary voice in the process. She describes her teaching style as encouraging and compassionate and is thrilled to work with the AoPS curriculum.

Bhagya earned an undergraduate degree in architecture from Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology in Nagpur and a postgraduate qualification from the Center for Environmental Planning and Technology, Ahmedabad. She taught college level architecture courses as well as worked at a design firm in India. Additionally, she has experience teaching elementary level students at the YMCA after school program. Bhagya was introduced to AoPS through the Beast Academy books that her daughter used, and continued to be impressed by the content as she progressed to higher levels. She seized the opportunity to work at AoPS when a new campus opened in Princeton in 2018. Bhagya loves to be around children because they are curious and inquisitive, have a lot of energy and they brighten up the space.

Sujeetha earned her bachelor's degree in pharmacy from Nalanda College of Pharmacy, Telangana, India. She is impressed with AoPS for creating visual and engaging math lessons that encourage a love of learning among students. She likes to explore challenging math topics with young students because it equips them with the skills and mindsets required for lifelong learning. Sujeetha is thrilled to be part of AoPS, where she can contribute to the students' positive learning experience.

Makala is a Front Desk Associate for AoPS Academy Princeton. The educational philosophies at AoPS Academy perfectly align with Makala's prior experience working as a front desk and supporting staff member at different jobs, and she is thrilled to support children and their families as they pursue accelerated learning. Her love for teaching, assisting people, and art prompted her to study for a degree in art education at The College of New Jersey. As a rising Junior in college, she has had multiple opportunities to student teach and during the summer work as a camp counselor among a variety of age groups. Outside of working at AoPS Academy, Makala also enjoys painting, drawing, yoga, listening to music, watching basketball, traveling, and spending time with family.

Aryan is a current high school senior and is committed to UChicago for economics and statistics. The innovative and creative approach to learning at AoPS Academy matches perfectly with Aryan’s passion for using games to enhance student learning and improve student performance and engagement in the classroom. Aryan loves the innovative and unique approach that each student brings to the classroom and how it elevates the educational experience.

Kemi is currently studying communications at Mercer County Community College and is interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She spent two years at Syracuse University as an environmental engineering student, furthering her background in STEM education. Kemi is the managing editor of her award-winning school newspaper, The College Voice. What drew Kemi to AoPS was the dedicated team of teachers and staff who were committed to bettering the lives of the younger generations. Kemi loves the creativity and authenticity of the students.

Alex recently graduated with honors from Mercer County Community College with an associate's degree in information technology. The passion the instructors bring to inspire the students to do their best academically drew Alex to AoPS. Alex knows that students are the future of the world, and he loves the optimism and talent they bring not only to the school but to the world as a whole.

Ronald is graduating from Thomas Edison State University with a bachelor's degree in accounting and is currently pursuing his CPA. He was drawn to AoPS because of the excellent curriculum and mission to provide high quality education. He loves helping students to be the best people they can be.

Aadi is currently studying mechanical engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. The education principles at AoPS Academy perfectly suit his interests in engineering and robotics. He is ecstatic to assist students and their families in pursuing accelerated learning.

Dhruv is a rising sophomore at Case Western Reserve University’s BS/MD program. What drew him to AoPS was their creative and holistic teaching approach that actively engaged students like he had never seen before. His favorite part of teaching students is seeing their relieved smile after they finally understand the concept.

Dhanya is a rising junior at WWP High School South in New Jersey. She teaches math, Sanskrit, and Carnatic music to younger children. Having been an AoPS student herself, Dhanya is drawn to its uniquely challenging environment. She appreciates the curiosity AoPS fosters in highly inquisitive students, which in turn elevates her own curiosity.

Abigail is a secondary education major with a focus in mathematics at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She has completed numerous classroom observations in Pennsylvania where she was able to understand how students learn as well as experiment with various teaching methods. This year will be Abigail’s second year with the Art of Problem Solving Academy and she enjoys connecting with students and leading class discussions on mathematical concepts. Her favorite thing about working with students is guiding their learning process and leading them towards mastery of the material.

Imola is an accomplished senior at BASIS Flagstaff High School. She will be attending Arizona State University's Honors College in fall of 2024. She excels in academics, having passed 10 challenging AP courses, while tutoring and supporting peers as well. She is drawn to AoPS' teaching philosophy and motivated students. Imola enjoys connecting with her students and being able to see their skills progress and develop throughout their time at AoPS.

Jacqueline is an undergraduate student at the University of Delaware, majoring in animal biosciences. She was drawn to AoPS for its ability to make learning fun in a collaborative environment while pushing students to their fullest potential. Jacqueline served as a teaching assistant for a microbiology lab at the University of Delaware and enjoyed helping students understand complex topics. Her favorite part about assisting is sharing her passion of the subject with students and watching them become just as interested in the topic as she is.

Alan holds a PhD in economics and a BA in mathematics from Rutgers University, and has taught a variety of courses at Rutgers, TCNJ and Princeton. He has taught all levels of language arts and mathematics, and was drawn to AoPS by their vibrant and fun curriculum. Alan loves getting to know his students, and always strives to create an engaging classroom dynamic that is unique to each class he teaches. His teaching style involves open discussions where any question is welcome.

Lauren teaches language arts at AoPS Academy. She has worked in education for the past thirteen years as a teacher in New Jersey, Spain, and Costa Rica, focusing in areas such as Spanish, elementary school, English as a second language, and special education. Lauren earned her B.A. in Spanish and her M.Ed. in elementary education from Rutgers University. She recently completed her M.A. in English as a foreign language from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Lauren would describe her teaching style as supportive and challenging. She loves learning and using literature, especially children’s books, to promote creativity, perspective and discussion.

Christina brings a wealth of educational and professional experience to her role at AoPS. She studied elementary education and STEM at The College of New Jersey, specializing in mathematics. Building on this foundation, she furthered her qualifications by earning a master's degree in literacy and holds a certification as a reading specialist. With 12 years of experience as an elementary teacher, Christina is dedicated to nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning. She was drawn to AoPS by its mission to challenge learners in the areas of language arts and mathematics. Christina enjoys teaching the curriculum and finds great fulfillment in working with motivated students who inspire her on a weekly basis.

Amit earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering and information technology and was drawn to AoPS Academy for its dedication to challenging students and enhancing their problem-solving skills. He loves being able to teach students new concepts and believes in learning through example. Amit would describe his teaching style as challenging and encouraging.

Carlos has been teaching math and computer science at a public high school for over twenty years. He was initially drawn to AoPS by their proactive efforts during the pandemic to provide math instruction to students. Mr. Bovell loves working with students of all ages, but especially elementary-aged kids. He’s passionate about making learning fun and he is a HUGE fan of Beast Academy!

Ken is a retired journalist and public relations professional. He has worked as a journalist covering municipal government for the Asbury Park Press, a business editor for a telecommunications trade publisher, Columbia University, as well as Rutgers before retiring in 2018. Every time he steps into the classroom, Ken finds himself delighted to be working with AoPS students. He enjoys supporting them in elevating their language arts skill set. His teaching style is active, physical, and enthusiastic.

Brian earned his BA in astrophysics at Harvard University where he discovered a passion for teaching math and science. Before moving to New Jersey he worked in Massachusetts as a physics teacher and Planetarium Program Director. He loves listening to students tackle a new problem and then helping them share and refine their ideas. When not teaching he can be found learning a new board game, stargazing, or talking about anything Star Wars.

Arlene's love of math began when she was in middle school, which has led to a 20+ year career as a middle school math teacher, with most of those years spent teaching at Princeton Day School and The Pennington School. A graduate of Wellesley College, she began teaching at AoPS when the Princeton campus first opened. She was immediately drawn to the excitement and interest in math that she saw in many of the students in her AoPS classes. Her passion and dedication to teaching are evident in each class, and she is constantly encouraging her students to find joy and excitement with every new mathematical discovery.

Lisa’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Rider University where she focused on American authors, followed by a master's degree in English literature from Rosemont College, where a focus on Tolstoy led to graduating with honors. Lisa was drawn to AoPS for its enthusiastic students and challenging language arts curriculum. She derives joy from her students’ love of learning and seeing their growth as they develop their skills as writers. Lisa’s teaching style is a balance of delivering direct instruction with patience, empathy, and humor.

Kimberly has a strong passion for learning. She received her BA in philosophy from TCNJ and her master’s degree in business and cybersecurity from Rutgers. In addition to being an instructor, she has also worked as a cybersecurity analyst and software developer. She loves helping students develop their creative and analytical thinking in both math and language arts. She very much admires how AoPS makes fun and intellectually engaging material. Her favorite part about working with students is getting to see how their knowledge grows. Kimberly's teaching style is compassionate and encouraging. She likes to meet students where they are and support them as they take on new challenges.

Inspired and motivated by challenges, mathematics and AoPS have always been a natural home for Michael. It was in his Calculus II class while studying at the University of Florida that he realized for certain that mathematics was not just a challenge, but also his passion and goal career. Michael has extensive experience tutoring and assisting with high school and college-level courses, and he loves to share his passion with his students so that they may enjoy the beauty of mathematics as much as he does. He benefitted from the AoPS curriculum himself growing up, and is excited for his journey to have come full circle now that he is an instructor at AoPS Academy Princeton! In his spare time, Michael enjoys cycling, running, solving puzzles, and studying trivia.

Mitch has received a BA in economics from NYU, and has worked in international banking for 19 years before working as high school math teacher for 20 years. He enjoys teaching students who have a hunger for knowledge. His teaching style is relaxed yet challenging. He wants the students to succeed, but most importantly be proactive in their effort in learning. Motivation and enthusiasm is the key – Mitch is the founder of Beast Bucks!

Sarah has a master's degrees in mathematics from Bryn Mawr College and secondary mathematics education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in mathematics at Drexel University. She has taught both high school math and a variety of college math courses. She loves teaching the incredibly bright, inquisitive, and hardworking students at AoPS. Their passion for mathematics and those aha moments when they figure out a difficult question or make insightful connections between math concepts make teaching so much more rewarding. As a teacher, Sarah tries to make her lessons interactive, always having the students aid in the problem solving process during lecture and sometimes having them present full solutions to problems they did individually or in groups.

Irena Gobernik holds a PhD in mathematics and has worked as a researcher and algorithm developer. Her passion for solving problems in mathematical Olympiads as well as her love for teaching math led her to the Art of Problem Solving Academy. Irena actively involves students in the process of uncovering new insights about mathematical concepts and objects.

Elena is a PhD candidate in theoretical computer science at Princeton University. In 2022, she graduated from Columbia University, where she double-majored in mathematics (with honors) and computer science. Elena has always enjoyed teaching, and previously taught at the King Summer Institute and has also served as a teaching assistant for various math and computer science courses at Columbia University and Princeton University. As a past AoPS student herself, she has always loved problem-solving and has participated in various mathematics competitions, including the AMC and AIME. She was drawn to teach at AoPS due to its challenging math curriculum and vibrant community. Elena is passionate about mathematics education and is eager to share her excitement for problem-solving and appreciation for the beauty of mathematics with her students. She tries to make her lectures exciting and interactive, and most enjoys seeing students have "a-ha" moments when they understand how to solve a hard problem.

Tim has worked in education for 20 years as a teacher, instructional leader, and doing education policy work. He earned his doctorate from Rutgers University in teacher leadership after completing bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fordham University and an additional master’s degree from Rutgers. Tim’s research interests involve teacher preparation and professional development, elementary math and literacy practices, children’s and young adult literature, and LGBTQ+ issues in schools. He pursued education because he wanted to share his love of books and reading with others, and because it allows him to help others and do work filled with meaning. Tim has worked at the AoPS Academy Princeton since 2019, and he thoroughly enjoys supporting students as they tackle AoPS’ advanced content. He aims to create a warm, supportive, and structured classroom community.

Sachita earned a dual bachelor's degree in India before continuing her education with postgraduate studies in education at Birmingham City University. With extensive experience spanning over eleven years across international schools in India and the USA, she has passionately devoted herself to elementary education. Sachita currently holds a full-time teaching position at an elementary school in New Jersey. She believes in holistic education and the cultivation of lifelong learning skills.

Kyna received her Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University. She teaches language arts and creative writing during the school year, and is a performing arts director during the summers for various private organizations throughout New England. There, she enjoys directing children's plays, teaching creative writing workshops, storytelling, and teaching young acting classes. Kyna was drawn to AoPS to continue utilizing her professional writing knowledge and experience in the classroom, and hopes to inspire the next generation of young writers!

Renard received a degree in mathematics from Tirana University in Albania, where he also did his postgraduate studies in advanced mathematics. He then taught mathematics at the high school and university levels before beginning a career in computer programming in the Netherlands. Renard has been a high school mathematics teacher with the Trenton Public School District since 2008, and has also taught computer science, statistics, financial literacy, and SAT/ACT Prep, as well as served as advisor to the Computer Science and Robotics Clubs. Renard was drawn to AoPS for its challenging curriculum. He strives to establish a strong foundation for his students, and describes his teaching approach as both rigorous and patient.

Sree has a passion for teaching and inspiring young minds. He has over ten years of experience tutoring elementary math students and believes every child’s story is unique. He wants to empower students to be comfortable with their own skills and talents, which is paramount to inculcate a love for lifelong learning. Sree is a writer and has published three children’s books from stories that he taught his own son. Sree is a graduate of NYU’s Stern School of Business. He designs and builds models (financial, statistical, supply-chain) for his customers around the globe, and is pioneering the use of AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning.)

Christopher Lapinski holds a BA in comparative literature from Rutgers University and an M. Phil. in modern intellectual history from Drew University. He has taught English and language arts at Princeton High School and Buckingham Friends School, and spent over six years working in academic publishing at Princeton University Press. Drawn to AoPS's mission to teach problem-solving skills in mathematics and ELA subjects, Chris enjoys working with students to develop their mastery of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. These abilities are essential to independent thought and creativity, which he believes are vital in a technology-driven world.

Ryan received his BA in English and MA in writing studies from Saint Joseph's University. He is a certified high school English teacher, and has lectured on the Beat Generation writers of the 1950s and horror movies of the 1970s. He has also taught adults and college freshmen, but has currently found his home teaching high school students. His goal is to help students in developing a transdisciplinary perspective by engaging them in reading and writing about literature. This fosters their ability to view their world and explore their varied abilities, established notions, and diverse backgrounds, thereby preparing them for their roles as future college students, employees, and citizens. His teaching style is a student-centric, seminar style where students can apply revisions provided by the teacher and their peers.

Loki graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in physics and a certificate in applied mathematics. He is now a Ph.D. student at the University of Michigan, where his research focuses on theoretical particle physics. Loki grew up learning from AoPS textbooks and liked their creative approach to problem-solving. As a college student, he also discovered a love for teaching, and he especially enjoys thinking of different ways to explain concepts to students. He takes a flexible approach to teaching and likes to be as hands-on as possible.

Michael earned his degree in mathematics from Princeton University. Although he originally planned to pursue graduate studies in mathematics, Michael realized that he found more fulfillment in teaching the subject rather than in researching it, and so he reoriented his career in that direction. Michael’s teaching philosophy is that everyone can be good at math if they have the right teacher, and he hopes to be able to share his knowledge and excitement for math with his students.

Jacqueline has taught pre-algebra and algebra for over a decade and has been teaching at AoPS since 2018. She loves working at AoPS because of its challenging curriculum and she especially enjoys teaching the summer camp classes. She is excited when witnessing the students’ "ah-ha" moments when what they’re learning registers. Jacqueline’s teaching style is student-centered, and engaging, and she aims to foster a fun and safe learning environment.

A love of literature and writing led Steve to earn a master's degree in English from Temple University. This was followed by a 30 year career of teaching writing to high school and college students. Then, Steve went on to mentor teachers as an educational leader. Envisioning a school environment where students of all abilities, means, and backgrounds could pursue their own intellectual and creative interests, Steve wrote and won a grant and built a “Genius Lab” for the middle school where he served as vice principal. Retirement brought Steve more time to read, attend the theater, travel, and develop his cooking skills. He also serves the community as a volunteer. His expertise in the pedagogy of writing, as well as his wide knowledge of education policy and best practices, sparked his interest in the AoPS Academy. He is excited to join its diverse and talented community of faculty and students.

Krithika is a software engineer specializing in cloud security and machine learning. She believes that a strong math foundation is critically important for success in any career path, as math helps students with the essential skill of evaluating a problem from many different perspectives. Motivated by this awareness, Krithika has developed not only a deep appreciation for mathematics but also a passion for teaching. Her teaching philosophy centers on demystifying mathematics, and making it accessible and engaging for all learners. She is eager to share her knowledge and experiences in the technical field, to help students grasp the importance and beauty of mathematics and the exciting opportunities it unlocks. In her free time, she enjoys playing the Indian instrument Veena and spending time with her family.

Iuliana has a PhD in math education from Rutgers University, and bachelor's and master's degrees in m,ath and applied computer science, respectively, from University of Bucharest (Romania). She has been working with K-12 students, as well as college students and K-12 teachers, for over 20 years. She loves that AoPS exposes students to challenging concepts and problems in a way that values conceptual understanding, creativity, and playfulness. Iuliana enjoys being part of that ""lightbulb"" moment when a student suddenly understands an idea they've been struggling with. She creates a classroom culture where effort, asking questions, and learning from mistakes are valued. It is truly her belief that every student can engage in genuine thinking if supported in a way that builds appropriately on their current knowledge.

Ajitha teaches mathematics at the Princeton campus. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in psychology, as well as a Juris Doctorate degree. Ajitha has a passion for mathematics, having taught the subject for over ten years. She has designed, developed and implemented courses in coordination with K-12 curriculum. She also has expertise in teaching common core standards and preparing students for standardized testing. When not teaching, Ajitha can be found working as a legal specialist and spending time with her family, son, and two dogs.

Tais holds a degree in physics with a focus on physics education and has a background in physics and math teaching and tutoring. Tais was drawn to AoPS because she aligns with its educational philosophy – emphasizing problem-solving to achieve a deep understanding of central concepts, with the students at the center of the learning process. She loves to watch the students' growth and development of their critical thinking as they are challenged with new material. Her teaching style focuses on creating a dynamic learning environment, centering on students' active participation.

Karuna holds a B.A. in mathematics from Bard College and an M.S. in mathematics from Rutgers University. They were drawn to the AoPS curriculum for its emphasis on engaging conceptual approaches and encouragement for students to think outside of the box mathematically. One of the most rewarding parts of being a teacher for Karuna is getting to share their love for mathematics with students and to witness the moment when their learning truly clicks. They strongly believe that with support and encouragement, each student has the potential to appreciate the beauty of math. Karuna’s philosophy holds that mistakes offer opportunities for deeper understanding. Their teaching methods revolve around breaking down difficult problems and demonstrating the types of questions students can ask themselves when they are unsure how to proceed.

Olga has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv, Ukraine. She loves that AoPS challenges their students and finds joy in witnessing her class's delight as they discover mathematical patterns together. Her main focus in teaching is to develop critical thinking skills and self-confidence in students' ability to figure out the root of a problem and find a way to solve it, as preparation for the future. Olga describes her teaching style as challenging and supportive.

Maureen has taught math for fifteen years at the middle and high school level and currently teaches middle school. She wanted to work at the Art of Problem Solving Academy because she was impressed by the AoPS curriculum and had coached math teams for Mathcounts and other math competitions. Maureen aims to use real world examples of math as well as utilize visuals to help students make connections with what they’re learning.

With a master's degree in education, specializing in mathematics and reading, Breanna supervises the math department for grades 4-7 at Middlesex County STEM Charter School. She fosters a dynamic learning atmosphere, ensuring inclusivity and rigor in the curriculum. Breanna's teaching experience spans elementary and middle school levels, where she has developed the student council and contributed to the yearbook club. Additionally, she led the STEM Fair.

Melinda has over fifteen years of experience as a senior communication professional, conducting public relations campaigns, creating corporate branding strategies, managing crisis communication plans, and leading internal communications efforts. She has worked as a freelance consultant for the global media company Bertelsmann AG in NY. Melinda holds a B.S. in writing for television, radio, and film from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communications and currently serves on the board of the nonprofit Princeton Area Women’s Club. She recently served as a trustee and parents’ association president at The Pennington School. Melinda enjoys sharing her passion for creative and effective storytelling with students and helping them discover their voices and strengthen their writing skills.

Matthew studied economics and cognitive science at Rutgers University. While at Rutgers, Matthew was a private tutor for Douglass Campus, teaching first year exposition, research in the disciplines, and scientific and technical writing. He currently works as an economic developer and consultant for Robbinsville Township. Matthew has always been interested in writing, education, expression, logic, and creative problem solving, and he is excited to share this passion with AoPS students. His teaching style is a paradoxical blend of traditional and modern approaches, and Matthew believes in providing structure and consistency, while also encouraging expression and student-led discussion.