Math Department Co-Chair Calculates Time Until Retirement
After a decade teaching math, Zohreh Moaven makes plans to move out of California to Illinois.
By Atreyu Weber
After a decade teaching math, Zohreh Moaven makes plans to move out of California to Illinois.
By Atreyu Weber
After teaching math for 15 years, Zohreh Moaven had decided to retire so she could move out of California and spend more time with her also retired husband.
Before she began teaching, Moaven earned her bachelor's degree in engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Moaven has spent her whole tenure at Pioneer teaching in the math department, teaching algebra 2 and AP Calculus. Currently, she is one of the co-chairs of the department. She started pursuing education when she had young children of her own and would volunteer at their school.
“When they’re younger you also want to be in their classrooms to help them understand something, or to read with them, or to do math with them,” said Moaven.
This experience gave Moaven a realization of how great of an opportunity it is to work with kids and teach them. Moaven took a break from studying engineering to raise her kids and when it was time to go back to school, she got her master’s in teaching mathematics.
“There is no dull moment, they are always bringing something new, every day something different,” said Moaven.
In the 10 years Moaven has spent here, she has been able to develop bonds that will be valued for a lifetime. One she will miss is math teacher Stefania Sideri.
“I am close to Sideri because I teach the same course with her (and) our personality matched,” said Moaven.
Sideri feels one of her favorite memories with Moaven was when the two collaborated since they taught the same classes.
“In one of our course-alike meetings, where we had a challenging concept to complete but it was resolved quickly, thanks to a collaborative effort between me and her. Sometimes even though we are very tired, a simple shared joke will lighten up the mood,” said Sideri.
Another bond that Moaven made with her time spent at Pioneer was with math department co-chair Aruna Renduchintala, whom she had to make many decisions with.
“We both have been together as department chairs for the last four or five years, and during this process it was nice to learn a lot of things from her and how she thinks and her perspective,” said Renduchintala.
Moaven feels she has a hands-on approach to teaching and striving to push her students.
“The most rewarding moment is when I’m able to help the student to achieve or improve,” said Moaven.
Students, such as Abigail Fong, 10, feel her teaching style and organized class was a prominent memory of the time spent in her class as it helped them to understand the class material.
“I enjoyed experiencing Moaven’s class as she was always very structured in her lesson plan and showed a real interest in helping her students,” said Fong, who has in her algebra 2 class.
Yash Pawar, 12, took her AP Calculus BC class and feels that the classroom environment has a lot to participate in.
“My favorite part of class was when I would get time to do my AP packets with my friends,” said Pawar.
Moaven has left a positive and recognizable impression on students and staff alike, it shows she’ll be missed by all.
“I know that her dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence will leave an indelible mark on students' lives. Her guidance, and support will be deeply missed. (I am) wishing her a retirement filled with joy, relaxation, and new adventures ahead,” said Sideri.
Moaven's long journey of teaching is coming to end, even though she is retiring she is going to miss teaching.
“I’m thinking as I’m retiring, what are my interests? What would I like to do, and I still go back to education,” said Moaven.
Before she began teaching, Moaven earned her bachelor's degree in engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Moaven has spent her whole tenure at Pioneer teaching in the math department, teaching algebra 2 and AP Calculus. Currently, she is one of the co-chairs of the department. She started pursuing education when she had young children of her own and would volunteer at their school.
“When they’re younger you also want to be in their classrooms to help them understand something, or to read with them, or to do math with them,” said Moaven.
This experience gave Moaven a realization of how great of an opportunity it is to work with kids and teach them. Moaven took a break from studying engineering to raise her kids and when it was time to go back to school, she got her master’s in teaching mathematics.
“There is no dull moment, they are always bringing something new, every day something different,” said Moaven.
In the 10 years Moaven has spent here, she has been able to develop bonds that will be valued for a lifetime. One she will miss is math teacher Stefania Sideri.
“I am close to Sideri because I teach the same course with her (and) our personality matched,” said Moaven.
Sideri feels one of her favorite memories with Moaven was when the two collaborated since they taught the same classes.
“In one of our course-alike meetings, where we had a challenging concept to complete but it was resolved quickly, thanks to a collaborative effort between me and her. Sometimes even though we are very tired, a simple shared joke will lighten up the mood,” said Sideri.
Another bond that Moaven made with her time spent at Pioneer was with math department co-chair Aruna Renduchintala, whom she had to make many decisions with.
“We both have been together as department chairs for the last four or five years, and during this process it was nice to learn a lot of things from her and how she thinks and her perspective,” said Renduchintala.
Moaven feels she has a hands-on approach to teaching and striving to push her students.
“The most rewarding moment is when I’m able to help the student to achieve or improve,” said Moaven.
Students, such as Abigail Fong, 10, feel her teaching style and organized class was a prominent memory of the time spent in her class as it helped them to understand the class material.
“I enjoyed experiencing Moaven’s class as she was always very structured in her lesson plan and showed a real interest in helping her students,” said Fong, who has in her algebra 2 class.
Yash Pawar, 12, took her AP Calculus BC class and feels that the classroom environment has a lot to participate in.
“My favorite part of class was when I would get time to do my AP packets with my friends,” said Pawar.
Moaven has left a positive and recognizable impression on students and staff alike, it shows she’ll be missed by all.
“I know that her dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence will leave an indelible mark on students' lives. Her guidance, and support will be deeply missed. (I am) wishing her a retirement filled with joy, relaxation, and new adventures ahead,” said Sideri.
Moaven's long journey of teaching is coming to end, even though she is retiring she is going to miss teaching.
“I’m thinking as I’m retiring, what are my interests? What would I like to do, and I still go back to education,” said Moaven.