Dan Ruch (pronounced like the chess piece) joined the JCS-Mountain Oaks community in 2024, and is excited to share 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, 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. He believes students learn best by working together to tackle challenging problems, and strives to build a fun, engaging, and collaborative classroom.

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, or chasing his feisty cat Nickel around the house.