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.

Shanika has over 11 years of experience in education as a teacher, instructional and school leader in the city of Newark. She got her start in education with Teach For America (Greater New Jersey) after graduating Magna Cum Laude from Amherst College. She's excited to work at AoPS because she gets to engage with high quality content that brings both joy and rigor to the classroom. From her very first day with AoPS, she noticed that the culture (across departments) is dedicated to building a product that elevates the student learning experience, and she's grateful to be on the frontlines teaching with and leading a site of dedicated, life long learners. While there is so much to love about working with students, what Shanika loves most is seeing the triumph students express when experiencing a breakthrough or overcoming a challenge! Shanika describes her teaching style as student-centered. This means that students do the heavy lifting through techniques like guided discourse, inquiry based projects, and, when necessary, a little bit of direct instruction from the teacher.

Tina majored in elementary education and special education at American University in Washington D.C., and went on to earn her master’s degree in education policy from the University of Pennsylvania. After researching inequities in education in Philadelphia, Tina moved back to New Jersey, where she grew up, to continue her work in education, which led her to AoPS! What Tina loves most about working with students is getting to tackle problems and find different solutions with the help of her students' different perspectives. She describes her teaching style as challenging, yet tailored to the needs of her students, as well as highly engaging.

Anthony began his career as a visual artist and has since become an educator and perpetual student of mathematics and computer science. He is deeply interested in the intersection of machine learning (ML) and medicine and completed MIT Professional Education’s certificate in Applied Data Science and ML with a concentration in the health sciences. Anthony is pursuing a B.S. in Applied Mathematics at NJIT, he received an A.S. in Mathematics Summa Cum Laude from HCCC, and a B.F.A. from the National Academy of Design. His creative background informs his common-sense approach to learning and problem-solving. He is passionate about AoPS’s dedication to inventive mathematical thinking. To Anthony, it feels rewarding to lead the process of demystifying math for students. He believes the world’s future depends on the next generation of scientists and mathematicians.

James received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from William Paterson University in 2007 and proceeded to teach students ranging in grades 6-12 for sixteen years. He enjoys the challenge of maximizing each one of his student’s potential by utilizing their unique talents, interests, and intelligence. His classroom is a lively, positive, welcoming learning environment where students are motivated to work together towards achieving success leading to a deeper understanding and joy of the limitless applications of mathematics in our world. Students are frequently reminded that mistakes are best viewed as learning opportunities that help our brains grow and develop.

Jamie received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Washington University in St. Louis. He has worked as an educator in professional theater companies (including several years as Associate Director of Education at The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ) and more recently, as a middle-school English and humanities teacher at private schools in NYC and New Jersey. Jamie was drawn to AoPS because the curriculum is so varied and interesting, and because it embraces learning through creativity and exploration. He loves hearing students' unique perspectives and insights and seeing them grow as intellectual risk-takers. Jamie's teaching style is student-centered and discussion-driven, and drawing upon his theater background, emphasizes play, openness, and collaboration.

Don is a certified K-6 teacher with a Bachelor's and Master of Science in biology, and a Master of Arts in teaching and he currently holds a special education certification. Don has been an educator for nine years, with four years dedicated to instructional leadership. Passionate about teaching, he views it as a means to serve communities and create a lasting impact. His experience spans various educational settings, where he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering academic excellence and personal growth among students. Don’s leadership skills and dedication to education inspire both his colleagues and students, making him a respected and influential figure in his field. Don was drawn to AoPS because of the vibrant teaching and learning community that allows students to explore the curriculum in a way that drives curiosity and a love of learning. His approach to teaching and leadership underscores his belief in the transformative power of education. His teaching style is a mix of structure, and fun and engaging hands-on lessons.

Feven Negussie is a graduate of Barnard College, where she studied political science and history. During her time in college, she worked as a teaching assistant for an eighth-grade class in a rigorous program and discovered that she enjoyed teaching and working with young students. She is drawn to AoPS Academy because it offers her the opportunity to work with talented students exploring subjects that intrigue her. Because of her childlike wonder at learning and discovering new things, she enjoys working with students who share these same qualities. Feven believes that the most powerful learning occurs through engaging, shared experiences of storytelling. Stories bring topics of study to life and connect with students on a deeper level.

Iramir's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in computer science, and his professional experience encompasses working as a supplemental instructor and tutoring students from grades 5-12 and at the college level. He was drawn to AoPS by its innovative approach to teaching mathematics and its strong emphasis on problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. He loves the satisfaction of helping students build a better understanding of the subject and witnessing something that was once challenging become easier for them. His teaching style involves explaining the theory, providing examples, and encouraging students to participate in discussions on how to solve mathematical problems.