Alumni Spotlight Series: Maria Bacanurschi

Maria Bacanurschi is an RSM Newton alumna who graduated from McGill University with a B.A. in Mathematics in 2024. Maria is currently teaching 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 6th grade geometry classes at RSM Newton before she starts her master’s program in Financial Economics at the University of Toronto this summer. Learn more about Maria’s experience with RSM in this question and answer blog.

What are some of your favorite memories from your time as an RSM student?

There is so much I remember fondly about my time at RSM. I adored my teachers and appreciated how they held all of the students to a high standard. The teachers had unwavering faith in our ability to solve all types of problems. Their encouragement is largely why I strive to understand concepts down to the most minute details.

The social aspect of the classroom was also integral to my time at RSM. I grew close with the people in my class and have maintained friendships I made during those years. During my time at RSM, I learned that social interaction is key to learning. It’s fine to get the wrong answer, but in order to learn from your mistakes, you need to ask questions, whether to the teacher or your peers. Working with my desk mate was one of my favorite parts of class. I loved getting the chance to work with my fellow students and seeing how they solved problems faster or differently than me. There wasn’t a person in my classes that I didn’t learn from.

Do you remember struggling with any math topics that eventually “clicked” for you?

I struggled with everything! Math was not something that came easy to me. It wasn’t until I had been at RSM for three years that I received my first perfect score on a test. I attended homework help every week in order to better understand math topics we discussed in class. For me, the math concepts would finally “click” after repeated practice and hearing multiple explanations. The study habits I learned from RSM helped me throughout my time in college. 

How do you think your RSM education has shaped your life?

RSM taught me how to learn. While I certainly learned a lot of math and math concepts, RSM taught me how to learn any topic from the ground up. One of the best ways to learn is by asking questions (the more the better), and by gathering information from the knowledgeable people around you. I’m looking forward to continuing my learning journey during my master’s program and I feel nothing but excitement for the grind to come! 

What do you enjoy about being a teacher at RSM?

I find it so satisfying to see the moment the content clicks for my students and I love that I have the opportunity to inspire that same passion for critical thinking, creative problem solving, and logic that my own teachers gave me years ago.

If you could give advice to current RSM students, what would it be?

I have 3 pieces of advice that I would share:

1. Ask your teacher lots of questions. If you don’t understand something in class, it definitely won’t make sense later at home. 

2. Math is a marathon, not a sprint. The daily prep and practice that you do matters so much more than any last minute cram. 

3. Finally, remember to engage with your fellow students and make friends in your classes. RSM is so much more than a place to learn math, it’s a wonderful community of like-minded and dedicated people.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Maria! We wish you the best of luck throughout your time teaching at RSM and during your master’s program!