Faculty & Staff

My mission has always been to make math engaging, relevant, and accessible to all of my students. Over the course of 20+ years, I have taught math to hundreds of students from age 5 to 25, served as department chair in three schools, and worked extensively as a curriculum developer. I am also very proud to have helped create developmental apps for kids with language delay and for co-authoring multiple papers on the topic of cognitive development and language therapy. When I’m not teaching, I can usually be found running, rock climbing, or frolicking in the mountains with my friends, husband, and two young kids. Read more about my background and teaching philosophy.

I’ve spent over 15 years working in high-energy physics – building detectors, analyzing data, and collaborating with scientists around the world at places like CERN, MIT, and the University of Kansas. I’ve loved the challenge and excitement of discovery, but what’s stayed with me most is the joy of sharing that excitement with others.

For the past decade, I’ve been homeschooling my kids, which opened up a whole new world of teaching – full of curiosity, creativity, and connection. I led science clubs, taught a summer course on particle physics, and got to watch 10-year-olds light up while learning about quarks. It reminded me how powerful learning can be when it feels meaningful and joyful.

When my son joined Lumen, I recognized right away that this was something special. It felt like the kind of school I had been imagining for years – a place where children are known, challenged, and inspired. I’m so excited to be part of growing that vision, and to help create a school where a love of learning takes root and grows for life.

I am a mathematics educator with over 12 years of experience. I have worked with students of various ages and skill levels, focusing on making complex concepts accessible and helping them achieve their academic goals. My teaching methods emphasize critical thinking and real-world applications , aiming to inspire student’s appreciation of mathematics in every day life. I am passionate about education and take pride in seeing my students grow in confidence and capability. In my free time I enjoy hiking, skiing and skating with my husband and 3 kids.

I am a dedicated math educator with experience teaching in private school settings, where I’ve worked closely with students to build both strong foundational skills and a deep appreciation for mathematics. My approach combines clear instruction with real-world problem-solving to help students see the relevance and beauty of math in everyday life. I value creating a supportive, engaging classroom where students feel confident to ask questions, think critically, and challenge themselves.

As a mathematician, I’ve always been fascinated by the elegance and power of numbers, but as a teacher, my greatest passion is helping young people discover that same beauty for themselves. With 25 years of experience—15 years in Russia and 10 years in the United States at RSM in Boston—I have had the privilege of teaching mathematics, specializing in working with gifted students and using unique methodologies, including the Vygotsky-Galperin system, learning cycles technology by H. Levitas, and my own key problem’s method for teaching geometry, which is described in my upcoming book (in print).

I believe that mathematics is not just a subject to be learned, but a language to be understood. This philosophy has guided my work, from my Master’s studies at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, where I also taught for a decade, to my work in some of the most prestigious schools in Moscow, including “The League of Schools”, Lyceum #2, and “Intellectual” School. It was during this period that I had the honor of serving as a member of the All-Russian Congress of Teachers of Mathematics at Moscow State University. I have also authored a number of scientific and methodological publications in journals such as “Matematicheskie Zametki” (“Math Notes”) and “Kvant”, the renowned Russian journals for students and teachers of mathematics and physics.

My commitment has been recognized with honors, including being a six-time laureate of the Dmitry Zimin “Dynasty” Foundation in the “Young Teacher” category. I am thrilled to bring my passion for teaching to Lumen Academy and to help your students grow into confident, capable, and curious thinkers.