As Baruchians trickle back in this year, they’re welcomed with new faces—even some that are returning. In over four departments, six new faculty members have joined our Baruch family.
Welcome, Hui Jin!
Room 306 is now occupied by the multi-lingual precalculus and calculus teacher Hui Jin. Born in China but raised by Korean parents, Mr. Jin was exposed to multiple languages and cultures growing up. He’s proficient in both Mandarin and Korean! Now living in Flushing, Queens, he likes to spend time trying different restaurants and taste various cuisines.
This year, he teaches 11th and 12th grade Precalculus, 12th grade Calculus and a computer science elective to 9th and 10th graders. When he isn’t teaching, he always encourages students to stop by his classroom for any questions or concerns.
His desire to become a teacher spirited from his math teachers when he was younger and from the sense of achievement he would feel every time he solved a question. Mr. Jin said that he felt confident in his own math skills, so it made sense for him to become a math teacher.
Although in another life, Mr. Jin sees himself as a pilot flying over all of the Southeast countries that he would want to visit. If you have any more questions for him, find him on the 3rd floor in room 306!
Welcome, Yessica Gomez!
In the only classroom on the second floor, you can find Baruch’s biggest anime fan: Yessica Gomez.
In January 2020, she obtained her teacher’s license from City College of New York and started her teaching career in the Bronx at Family Life Academy Charter School and then over at Highbridge Green School. Here at Baruch, she teaches 11th grade AP US History, 12th grade Government & Economics and a 10th grade career exploration elective.
The reason why she became an educator is because of how much her 7th grade teacher helped her. In her writing, her teacher noticed a discrepancy between words including the letters: b and d. Ms.Gomez couldn’t differentiate the letters in certain words because no one properly taught it to her. After knowing this, Ms.Gomez’s teacher took time during lunch periods to go over her mistakes.
“I started to like school. I used to hate school with a passion,” Gomez said. “Now, I wish to be that person for somebody else.”
Ms.Gomez appreciates the strong work ethic that Baruchians have and how positive the community is here. She welcomes everyone with unique hobbies and interests, as she is a major anime fan. You can find her supervising the Anime & Gaming club in room (213) on Thursdays!
Welcome, Andy Zheng!
Recently graduated from Fordham University in January 2025, Andy Zheng starts his first official year of teaching at Baruch!
When asked about his first impression of Baruch, he said that all of the students are supportive and the staff are always willing to offer assistance. Everyone is friendly to talk to, which was one of the things he was looking for when applying to teaching jobs.
Before Mr. Zheng decided that teaching was his path, he had a bachelors in Computer Science and in fact, worked in a tech company. Knowing that he could make an impact in someone’s life, he realized that he was more passionate about teaching rather than working at a tech company.
He advises Baruchians that are undecided with their career aspirations to take your time and explore, try something that you think you’ll like. You’ll always have the opportunity to change. You won’t know if you don’t try.
Mr. Zheng encourages students to ask him questions, concerns, and come by his office for anything which is located down the hallway in the cafeteria!
Welcome, Ashley Iguina!
In the latest division of science classes among 10th and 11th graders, Ashley Iguina has the opportunity to teach half of each grade Regents physics and a computer science elective to 10th graders in room 321.
During her senior year of college, she toured a telescope facility in Puerto Rico which sparked Iguina’s interest in physics as a whole. Ms. Iguina knew she was a very academic person and would see herself as a researcher in academia.
When researching careers, Ms. Iguina knew she wanted one thing: a good work-life balance. After majoring in astrophysics, she decided to teach high schoolers because the typical school-day schedule allows her to spend as much time with her daughter and family.
Fun fact: Iguina has a twin sister who is passionate about languages!
Welcome Back, Rita Ross!
After a year-long hiatus, Ms. Ross returns to the Baruch community with her bubbly and enthusiastic personality. In the 2025-2026 school year, she teaches 11th grade AP English Language, 12th grade English, and has an advisory.
In 2004, Ms. Ross received her formal offer letter from Ms.Perez-Katz and felt as though she was being proposed to. She excitedly accepted the position as a teacher and has continued ever since—with the exception of the 2024-2025 school year.
Alongside her interest in reading books, she loved sitting in her English classrooms as a student and was inspired by her English teacher to pursue education and journalism. She decided to teach high school students because the higher level of education after high school requires specializing in a niche range of topics.
Ms. Ross’s initial second career choice was to be a war correspondent and a journalist in foreign countries. However, she would now say she would want to be a part of the non-profit sector that advocates for peace and justice.
A fun fact about Ms. Ross is that she loves statistics because she finds it interesting that data can be used intentionally to sway an audience in a certain direction. You can find her in room 310!
Welcome, David Sanchez!
To many Baruchians, David Sanchez is no stranger. He has substituted for 12th grade AP Spanish, 9th grade Biology, and advisory in the past. However, this year is his first official year of teaching Anatomy & Physiology to 12th graders, Ecology to 9th graders and facilitating Neuroscience to 11th and 12th graders.
When he first joined our community, Mr. Sanchez could immediately recognize how tight-knit we are with one another. After tutoring students as a highschooler, he decided that a teaching career would be best suited for him. Most of all, his passion for teaching stems from his love for science. If Mr. Sanchez wasn’t teaching, he would probably be a veterinarian.
Fun fact! He has a sister that attends Baruch High School in the 12th grade. If you ever want to talk to him, he is in room 507 and he advises the Lorax Club on Wednesdays after school.
