My name is Dan Ruch (pronounced like the chess piece) and I’m excited to share my passion for math and science with the 6th-graders at JCS-Mountain Oaks! My eclectic resumé includes apple orchard co-owner, Italian restaurant sauté chef, flower shop manager, and New Orleans jazz musician.

I’ve been teaching students in classrooms (in-person and online) since 2003, first as an AmeriCorps member, then as an elementary classroom teacher in Allentown, PA and New Orleans, LA, and most recently as an instructor and instructional coach with San Diego-based math education company Art of Problem Solving. I believe students learn best by working together to tackle challenging problems, and I’m looking forward to building a fun, engaging, and collaborative classroom.

When I’m not teaching or making music, you’ll find me solving math and word puzzles, watching the Phillies (sorry Padres fans), traveling to fun new places, or play-fighting with our feisty cat, Nickel.