My university offered two tracks for math: pure and applied. I’ve described the difference like this—pure math is writing a beautiful recipe, while applied math is using that recipe to cook a wonderful dish. Drawn to abstract problem-solving, pattern recognition, and divergent thinking, I chose the pure side. I especially loved game theory and combinatorics (solving strategy problems through math), number theory (studying integers and modular arithmetic), and the history of math (exploring how logical thinking evolved across cultures).

I've always been a learner and a sharer. I was taught early that each day holds chances for growth and mentorship—and that’s guided how I live. I also saw how many peers might’ve thrived with more joy and positivity around school. So I’ve taken on the challenge of bringing joy back to learning, especially for students who may be wavering. I tell them: I love math, but I love learning even more—even with the discomfort and effort that comes with it.

I’m passionate about math, problem-solving, puzzle design, media innovation, and equity. On any day, I might create a logic puzzle for students or get handed one from a student trying to stump me (good luck!). I’ve led Common Classrooms on crossword construction, Only Connect puzzles, Bay Area hip-hop history, and Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation.

One highlight was a New York Intraterm exploring hip-hop’s origins—a perfect fusion of my interests and a commitment to cross-cultural learning. 

College Prep students are united by passion—whether it’s academic, creative, or social. I love that, because I love to learn too. Their curiosity has taken me behind the scenes at BART, into Meta’s VR labs, and more.

As teachers show genuine interest in students’ passions, students become more open to exploring others’ interests, even those they once dismissed. That kind of intellectual openness makes CPS a place where learning truly flourishes.

Puzzling in the Learning Center. I post puzzles on my whiteboard—logic grids, rebuses, word games—and watch students puzzle through them all week. They share insights, give feedback, and sometimes make their own.

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