Born in Ukraine, I was raised in Brooklyn, New York. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science at Baruch University and my Master’s in Education from St. John’s University. After graduating, I taught math in the New York Department of Education for four years. During this time I was introduced to the challenges of teaching students with disabilities, which taught me that students learn in different ways. My work with students with disabilities, English-language learners, and gifted students has helped me develop strategies for guiding all types of pupils.

My classroom is set up to encourage engagement by emphasizing the value of making mistakes and learning from them. I incorporate as many hands-on activities and end-of-unit projects into the syllabus as possible. Our curriculum provides real-world examples to give students a practical connection to the material. Upon mastering a particular skill, students are rewarded with game-show style activities to bolster intrinsic motivation and healthy competition. 

I am delighted to collaborate with the GSB community: staff, students, and parents.