Dan Ruch (pronounced like the chess piece) joined the JCS-Mountain Oaks community in 2024, and is excited to continue sharing his passion for math and science with our awesome 6th graders! His eclectic resumé includes apple orchard co-owner, Italian restaurant sauté chef, flower shop manager, and New Orleans jazz musician.

Mr. Ruch has been teaching students in classrooms (in-person and online) since 2003, first as an AmeriCorps member in Orondo, WA, then as an elementary classroom teacher in Allentown, PA and New Orleans, LA, and prior to joining the JCS team as an instructor and instructional coach with the San Diego-based math education company Art of Problem Solving. He believes that students learn best by working together to tackle challenging problems, and strives to build a fun, engaging, challenging, and collaborative classroom environment.

When not teaching or making music, you’ll find him solving math and word puzzles, watching the Phillies (sorry Padres fans), playing volleyball, traveling to fun new places, cooking delicious meals, or chasing his feisty cats Nickel and Polka around the house.