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.

Dr. Jennifer Palacios holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Educational Psychology, along with an Education Specialist degree, an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, and a B.S. in Counseling Psychology. Her academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to understanding how students learn and thrive in intellectually rich environments. She was drawn to AoPS for its uniquely rigorous and thoughtfully crafted language arts curriculum. She values how AoPS challenges students to think critically and independently while also fostering creativity and confidence. The curriculum’s blend of structure and open-ended inquiry mirrors her own educational philosophy. Jennifer’s teaching style is grounded in the principles of constructivism, with a strong emphasis on the Zone of Proximal Development. She believes that students learn best when they are supported just beyond their comfort zones and when they are active participants in their own discovery process. In her classroom, learning is not simply about reaching the “right” answer, but about developing the capacity to reason, question, and articulate ideas clearly and confidently.

Matthew graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Computer Science and has extensive experience teaching computer programming, writing, and mathematics. He was drawn to AoPS for its student-centered approach and emphasis on independent thinking. His teaching style is energetic and focused on making learning both fun and meaningful.

With a B.Tech. in Computer Science from IIT Kharagpur and a Ph.D. in Immunology from UC Irvine, Debasish has spent over two decades working in biotechnology and imaging sciences across academia and industry. Over the past three years, he has seen the profound impact of education on young learners and find fulfillment in guiding motivated students to reach their potential. His teaching style blends encouragement and challenge, using visual tools, real-world connections, and mathematical insights to make each class enriching and enjoyable.

Hosea studied cognitive science and creative writing (poetry emphasis) at UC Berkeley. Professionally, he has worked as a product designer, content writer, and tutor. He is excited to share his love for the English language with AoPS students who are curious and driven to explore its richness. Hosea seeks to make learning conversational, collaborative, and fun!

Eric earned a Bachelor of Science and Arts in Physics from the University of Texas at Austin and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in science education at Stanford University. With a background in contest math, Eric was drawn to AoPS for its focus on deep, creative problem-solving and enjoys helping students discover the satisfaction of working through challenging problems. Eric’s teaching emphasizes a strong foundation in core concepts and strategic problem-solving, equipping students with the tools to approach challenges both within and beyond mathematics.

Alex Zheng holds a Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts from Carnegie Mellon University with a minor in Japanese Studies. He has several years of experience teaching competition math, including AMC 8, Mathcounts, and AMC 10/12, through organizations like Silicon Valley Community United and Alphastar Academy. A former AoPS student himself, Alex was inspired by the program’s impact on his own mathematical journey. His teaching style is interactive, patient, and student-centered, guiding students to discover solutions through thoughtful questioning and discussion to build deep, lasting understanding.

Lois holds a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and an M.Ed. from UC San Diego. She believes math is about clearly communicating ideas and encourages students to spot patterns, ask questions, and explain their reasoning. Her teaching style fosters kindness, curiosity, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.

Sheris has worked as a substitute teacher in the South San Francisco Unified School District, including a year as a long-term 3rd grade substitute. She later became an online English tutor for ESL students of all ages. Drawn to AoPS for its challenging and insightful curriculum, she values how the program both supplements school learning and refines key skills. Her teaching style is supportive, empathetic, and teamwork-driven, with a focus on gamification and fostering a positive, close-knit classroom environment.

Halah holds bachelor’s degrees in English and French, and master’s degrees in Humanities and Comparative Literature. Drawn to AoPS for its advanced language curriculum, she is a holistic instructor who prioritizes her students’ needs in the present moment.

Alina earned a Bachelor’s in Comparative Literature with a Minor in Childhood and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University. She has extensive experience working with elementary students, leading enrichment classes in writing and creative thinking. Passionate about literary analysis and writing, Alina strives to inspire that same love in her students while helping them reach their highest academic potential. She teaches using a Socratic approach—asking probing questions, facilitating discussions, and encouraging collaboration—creating a classroom where students learn from both the material and each other.

Yik is an experienced teacher drawn to AoPS for its rigorous curriculum. She creates an inspiring classroom environment that motivates students to reach their full potential.

Larry has degrees in architecture from Yale University and Rice University. A licensed architect, he taught at Rice University for almost two decades. He has also worked as an IT executive in the biotech industry and has extensive experience as a writer, editor, and publisher. He's long been a fan of AoPS’s teaching methods and focus on fun, creativity, and simplicity — which help students grasp concepts at their most fundamental levels. In Larry’s view moments of realization and inspiration can both fuel and reward our desire to learn. He gets a kick out of serving as his students’ concierge, travel agent, or tour guide as they embark on their own lifelong educational journeys.

After obtaining a bachelor's degree from UCLA and a master's degree from the University of Washington, Whitney began her career working in museums. After taking a break to raise her two children, she obtained a second master's degree in composition from San Francisco State University where she subsequently taught first-year writing and found her true calling: teaching reading and writing. Now, Whitney combines her two decades of experience in education to tutor students of all ages. She was drawn to AoPS because of its teaching philosophy in which teachers act as guides. Whitney enjoys drawing out students' innate curiosity and critical thinking skills so that students themselves can discover new concepts in an open, collaborative, and engaging environment.