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.

Daniel is an educator and classroom teacher. He is excited to join AoPS, bringing his unique style which blends being a “sage on the stage” with a “guide on the side.”

Brian holds a BA in Literature from UCSC and has been a teacher and tutor in the SF Bay Area for nearly 15 years. He was drawn to AoPS for its small-class academic program. His teaching style is down-to-earth, conversational, and engaging.

Eric is a PhD student in Mathematics at Penn State. He was drawn to AoPS to inspire others to enjoy math. His teaching style guides students to discover concepts on their own, helping them internalize ideas more deeply.

Brenda graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.S. in Business Administration and minor in Data Science. She has past experience teaching math and executive functioning skills to middle and high school students and also shared her creative passions by teaching piano, music theory, and art to K-6 students. Brenda values the importance of supportive instructors, mentors, and peers who encourage students to express themselves and actively explore the applications of what they are learning. Therefore, she was drawn to the AoPS curriculum which places an emphasis on creativity, critical thinking, and most importantly student-led discussions, where students can develop the skills to critically engage in their interests and the general world around them. She strives to create a warm environment by connecting with each student and understanding their unique learning styles so that students can gain confidence in their academics while developing an overall love for learning.

Vrinda holds an MS in Business Analytics from Santa Clara University and has worked with Amazon, applying analytical skills to real-world problems. With over 3 years of teaching experience, she specialize in helping students develop deep mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills. Her approach blends industry insight with a passion for teaching, aligning with AoPS’s mission to challenge and inspire young mathematicians. Her teaching style is interactive, student-centered, and focused on deep conceptual understanding.

Vandana comes to AoPS with a Bachelor of Science and is excited to provide learn-by doing experience to the students. She keeps her students engaged by encouraging curiosity and creativity within a structured program.

Janhavi has a bachelor's degree in computer science and currently works as an instructional assistant at an elementary school. What drew her to teach math at AoPS Academy is the chance to work in a setting where there's a strong emphasis on academic rigor and a chance to go beyond textbook using problem solving strategies, making math interesting and relevant. She uses a mix of direct instruction, guided practice, and collaborative activities to meet diverse learning needs. She emphasize problem-solving and reasoning.

Nakul holds a BE in Electronics & Telecommunication from University of Mumbai and an MBA from University of Washington. The teaching philosophy at AoPS aligns with Nakuls and they focus on the foundational learning to be able to build complex understanding on top of it in the classroom.

Rose Svonkin graduated top of her class from University of California Santa Cruz with a Master of Science in Applied Economics and Finance. Rose has been tutoring since 2020 and most recently was a teachers assistant at UCSC. She was drawn to AoPS as she feels that math should not simply be taught with definitions and simple practice problems, but rather in a way that emphasizes our mission: the art of problem solving. Rose receives immense joy from seeing the look students get on their faces when something finally clicks for them. She prides herself on being able to bring joy and excitement to the subjects she teaches.