2008 Woodie Awards
From Ukraine, a new DA family member
Professor of the week
Daniel Gamberg
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: Features
Iaroslav Kryliouk began teaching mathematics in his hometown of Chernivtsi, Ukraine in 1979. Following years of preparation, Kryliouk was accepted to Moscow University in Russia, where he graduated with a Ph.D. in mathematics.
In his youth, Kryliouk had already determined that he was going to be a teacher. "I was very interested in teaching because it gives me the opportunity to transfer my knowledge to students," he said
In 1992, shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kryliouk and his family moved to Canada where he received his second Ph.D. at Saskatchewan University. Three years later, they moved again, this time to Gainesville, Florida, where he taught at Santa Fe Community College.
Last year, Kryliouk moved yet again to California, where he began teaching part-time in the fall quarter of 2007 at De Anza College.
Recently, Kryliouk has become a full-time instructor at De Anza and says the administration and faculty received him with open arms.
"They accepted me as a member of the family and it was a very good feeling," says Kryliouk. "I consider this a very important job. For me teaching [is about] trying to inspire students to learn."
In his classes, Kryliouk emphasizes the importance of understanding the material conceptually. He often assigns "mini-projects" and touches upon the development of mathematical concepts throughout history in order to delve deeper into the subject. After, Kryliouk found that students better understand the material and can move forward to more challenging problems. Considering the challenges his students encounter, Kryliouk says.
"I try to make their studies easier [by staying] proactive in my teaching."
Kryliouk has previously participated in mathematical competitions and plans to take an active part in De Anza's Mathematics Club. This quarter, Kryliouk is teaching intermediate algebra, pre-calculus and Calculus 1B, and says he enjoys teaching all levels of mathematics because each course gives him a completely different experience.
While visiting a library one day, Kryliouk noticed how California has a very active population of intellectuals.
"There is great intellectual potential here," he said, adding that the cultural diversity at De Anza makes teaching in California unique and interesting.
After almost 30 years of teaching across the globe, Kryliouk says he enjoys helping students attain their educational goals.
"Teaching is not just transmitting my knowledge to students but, more importantly, igniting their interest." Kryliouk advises all students to be organized, ask questions, make sure you understand the material and, finally, have fun.
Daniel Gamberg is the assistant copy editor for La Voz. Contact him at danielgamberg@lavozdeanza.com.
In his youth, Kryliouk had already determined that he was going to be a teacher. "I was very interested in teaching because it gives me the opportunity to transfer my knowledge to students," he said
In 1992, shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kryliouk and his family moved to Canada where he received his second Ph.D. at Saskatchewan University. Three years later, they moved again, this time to Gainesville, Florida, where he taught at Santa Fe Community College.
Last year, Kryliouk moved yet again to California, where he began teaching part-time in the fall quarter of 2007 at De Anza College.
Recently, Kryliouk has become a full-time instructor at De Anza and says the administration and faculty received him with open arms.
"They accepted me as a member of the family and it was a very good feeling," says Kryliouk. "I consider this a very important job. For me teaching [is about] trying to inspire students to learn."
In his classes, Kryliouk emphasizes the importance of understanding the material conceptually. He often assigns "mini-projects" and touches upon the development of mathematical concepts throughout history in order to delve deeper into the subject. After, Kryliouk found that students better understand the material and can move forward to more challenging problems. Considering the challenges his students encounter, Kryliouk says.
"I try to make their studies easier [by staying] proactive in my teaching."
Kryliouk has previously participated in mathematical competitions and plans to take an active part in De Anza's Mathematics Club. This quarter, Kryliouk is teaching intermediate algebra, pre-calculus and Calculus 1B, and says he enjoys teaching all levels of mathematics because each course gives him a completely different experience.
While visiting a library one day, Kryliouk noticed how California has a very active population of intellectuals.
"There is great intellectual potential here," he said, adding that the cultural diversity at De Anza makes teaching in California unique and interesting.
After almost 30 years of teaching across the globe, Kryliouk says he enjoys helping students attain their educational goals.
"Teaching is not just transmitting my knowledge to students but, more importantly, igniting their interest." Kryliouk advises all students to be organized, ask questions, make sure you understand the material and, finally, have fun.
Daniel Gamberg is the assistant copy editor for La Voz. Contact him at danielgamberg@lavozdeanza.com.
Be the first to comment on this story