Mila Filatov ; Math, 3.5-4.5 I have been a teacher, a computer programmer, and a radio journalist with “Radio Russia” over the past 20 years. I studied mathematics in Russian Economic University, named after G.Plekhanov, as a mathematician and system analyst. Currently I have a NYS Initial Certificate Teaching Mathematics. In addition, I completed Speech Pathology and Audiology course in NY Lehman college. People find their vocation in different ways. Some may like the subject of the studies, and want to get a job related to this subject. Others may be charmed by one or another person they know, and they transfer the interest in the person onto this person’s profession. I believe that my choice of the teaching profession was born on the crossroad of all these ways. First, I have always liked mathematics that I want to teach now. I was captivated by it the way people are captivated by detective stories or romantic novels. I enjoyed the logic of solving a problem as I could enjoy listening to music. Second, I was very lucky with my own teachers. Many of them were not only high-level professionals; they were also extremely well-educated people, and our contacts outgrew the school curriculum turning into a friendship that lasts to this day. So, the model of a good teacher has been with me from my childhood. As a mathematics teacher, I want not only to deliver different math concept to my students. I wish to inspire children to love mathematics. My teaching methods will include problem solving strategies, games, and puzzles, encouraging higher-order thinking skills such as analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information.