Q: How did you get interested in math?
A: I was always interested in math, being chosen to represent various Olympiad competitions in my school. While my parents were concentrating on music, I still enjoyed doing physics and math. I enjoy it because I tend to see patterns in both math and behaviors in people. An example was in 5th grade, where I thought that I had discovered the difference of squares rule in mathematics, but realized it was taught later on in my class. I was able to recognize and figure out the pattern before I was taught the material.
Q: How long have you been teaching?
A: I have been teaching since 1994 and have taught in America since 1999. Before I pursued a career as a math teacher, I used to be interested in music. I even attended the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, where many famous composers, such as Rimsky-Korsakov and Jokovski, studied. After getting my music degree, I had two options: to become a musician or a music teacher, in which I chose to teach music. I taught the Russian piano for five years before beginning to teach math in America.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I like to try new things and am interested in many different hobbies, which include sewing, sticker making, art, carpentry, and many others. I also enjoy reading many different genres of books which range from fantasy novels and sci-fi to even quantum physics.
Q: What are some challenges you faced in your teaching career?
A: Early in my career, I liked to interact with kids in a friendly manner, but I had to realize that I am a teacher and not a friend of the student. I had to realize that I was a leader in the classroom. This took me some time to learn, as my personality is usually not like this.
Q: What is one of your favorite role models?
A: I believe in qualities and look for morals in people rather than liking a singular person. There cannot be one person that’s defined as a role model, and anyone who is passionate about what they do and is willing to learn or show determination is considered a role model to me.
