One plus one equals two, but one Michael Teplitskiy plus any one mathematics problem equals success, because there are few he won't master - and for those few --- it won't be long.

"I would say that I don't really have a favorite aspect, about mathematics, I like everything about it. The only reason the subject is so difficult for many is that people put themselves in the mindset that they can't do it, because that's just the easiest thing to do," said Michael.  "I used to be the worst student in my math class when I was in the eighth-grade, probably farworse than any of you out there think you are right now, but I made a conscious effort to change and do better in high school. Having good teachers helps a lot, and 'good' is specific to the individual, so when learning something, don't just consult one source, but rather find several different people's explanations and I guarantee one of them will make sense."

"Through his unmatched work ethic, incomparable raw talent, and his unbounded intellectual curiosity, Michael has demonstrated that he possesses all necessary skills to be successful at the college level and beyond," said Chris Northrup, a former Mathematics teacher at Yavneh.  "Michael has essentially taught himself single variable Calculus using online resources, and there were times when I had nothing to contribute in our discussions because his inquiry pertained to something I hadn't come across yet even though I was in my last year of a Masters program in Mathematics.  Michael holds the belief that all mathematicians have which is that the best part of any problem isn't in the solution itself, but in the creation and design of the solution."

Very methodical in his learning, and in life, making sense of his future is something Michael has on target.  In the fall, he'll attend the University of Texas in Dallas, where he hopes to have a position tutoring other math students, forging a path to his future. "Yavneh has best prepared me for college by helping to give me the confidence I need to believe that I can do whatever I want to," he said.  "I've also gained a lot from my English and math classes, since those used to be subjects that I was not very good in, but in which I have improved.  I'm looking forward as a university student to having the ability to study what I choose and what is interesting to me."

"Michael is a wonderful student for one-on-one conversations, his interest in mathematics and its worldly applications interested even this English teacher," said English teacher, Bonnie Atkins.  "I thoroughly enjoyed his sense of humor when writing about obscure math-related laws as a target for his satire. He certainly finds what's interesting in areas less-aware people would miss."

A Dallas-native and a graduate of Akiba Academy, Michael is the son of Dmitriy, a long-beloved member of Yavneh's Maintenance Crew, and Larisa, and he's the younger brother of Shlomo. 

"I've been learning about the State of Israel for so long but had never seen it in person, and the March of the Living made it more present and real to me," said Michael, just one of Yavneh's many seniors who recently returned from the 2014 March of the Living, many of whom will share their experiences on Tuesday night at 7pm in Pollman Hall.  "The March of the Living is an important program to participate in because our generation is likely the last to hear survivors speak in person.  

To hear their stories directly, and to see the land of Israel, which was built up from nothing

after the destruction during the Holocaust, is something I'll never forget."

"In my years of teaching, and my experience in the corporate world, I can attest that colleges need more students like Michael," said Mr. Northrup, "that businesses need more employees like Michael, and in a world with increasingly complex problems, we need individuals with the ingenuity, and intelligence, to tackle them.  Michael, is one such individual."

Michael, as you leave Yavneh and the SRCampus to tackle the problems of the outside, we will always be blessed that you had your start here - and we'll be proud wherever you go.