Mr. Ayhan is one of the newest members of the MLHS community. An avid cyclist, Mr. Ayhan has lived in New Jersey for over 20 years and currently teaches AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, and Honors Multivariable. We recently sat down with Mr. Ayhan to learn more about the passionate and dedicated Turkey native.
Where are you from?
I was born in Turkey, 3 hours south of Istanbul and 3 hours north of the capital [Ankara]. It is a very mountainous area, as our mountains are almost 9,000 feet of elevation.
How long did you live in Turkey before moving to the U.S.?
I came to the U.S. as a wrestler exchange student to Blair Academy when I was a junior in high school. And then I went back [to Turkey] briefly for a year or two and I came for college here for two years. I then went back for two years and finally decided to stay permanently here in 1996. Between my junior year and my college graduation I moved back and forth, but after that, I stayed here permanently.
Where did you teach before coming to MLHS?
I was teaching at North Warren Regional High School in Blairstown. I taught there almost 11 years. I taught AP Calculus BC, Multivariable, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, and AP Physics C, similar to what I am teaching here.
What brought you to take the job at MLHS?
I know the area a little bit, and I do business in the area after school as a second job. I saw the opening and then I said “I should apply,” and I was kind of getting used to the routine at North Warren, which, by the way, I love North Warren. I had a great time over there, but I just wanted a small change and I’m glad that I came on. I like the kids here, as they are very smart, very curious, and they ask many questions. I had ten of these [types of kids] at North Warren, but now I have 50 of these kids here.
How long have you been teaching?
This is my 12th year of teaching of mathematics and physics. I was a computer consultant to start with, and I was doing coding and data analysis, mostly in C++. But now, I don’t like computers anymore and I’ve always loved math and physics, so I basically went back to my grass roots.
When did you decide you wanted to become a teacher?
I decided to start teaching when I started gaining a lot of weight. I said I have to do something that I enjoy doing and also have free time after school to do activities so I don’t sit all the time. I love the audience of students, especially when they’re curious, because it re-energizes me. So after a long time working in the industry, it became sort of like all desk jobs, sitting all the time, and I wasn’t feeling comfortable. I always wanted to teach, I didn’t know how good I was going to be, but the first year went really well and then I said “I am teaching from this point on.”
Do you enjoy teaching more than programming?
Definitely. By far. I can’t even compare it anymore.
What drew you specifically to teaching the fields of calculus and physics?
The reason why I started teaching those classes is that I was not educated to be a teacher. If I was educated, I would have started with algebra 1 or middle school math. Because I started later, I thought I could relate to older students who were involved in math and physics. I thought I could make an easier transition if I was teaching older kids and upper-level classes.
How did your interests in calculus and physics begin?
When I was in junior high in Turkey, I sent a letter to NASA HQ from my village. I said I heard about Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, as they were sent to the solar system in 1974, and I said I would like to see some pictures of them. Then some communications person at NASA sent me a huge package with a Voyager picture, and I sent them a thank-you note back and they sent me another package. It was 2-3 years back and forth receiving packages until I graduated. I was receiving cardboard pictures of planets right off the Voyager downloads. It was awesome, I translated them into Turkish and published them in the Turkish scientific magazines. And that really ignited my passion for science, physics, and math.
What is your favorite part of being a teacher?
My favorite part of teaching is simplifying the complex parts of math and helping the kids understand. When I see the light in their eyes, and they really understand the intricate parts of calculus and physics, it makes me really happy and it is very rewarding when you have a good connection with the students.
What are some of your hobbies outside of school?
One of the reasons I became a teacher was because I wasn’t having enough time to ride my bike. I said I have to find time to ride my bike. When I became a teacher, I was actually a pro cyclist. I have a UCI (Union Cycliste International), which allows you to race the World Cups and world championships and everything. I can’t [compete] anymore obviously, but when I gave up professional cycling in 2013, I could race in the nationals and international competition. My passion, other than teaching, is riding and I try to ride every day if the weather permits.
When did you start riding bikes?
Remember when I said I wanted to become healthy and computer science was giving me a hard time? I started riding my bike in 2006 and it became a passion after that, as I was riding every day just to be in shape. In three years or so, with proper training and working with coaches, I became a professional cyclist.
What’s a day in the life of Mr. Ayhan like?
On the weekdays, I wake up at 5:30. I get ready, drink my coffee, and leave for Mountain Lakes at 6:30. It takes me about 35 minutes or so, so I’m here around 7:15. Then I go into the routine of teaching: physics, calc BC, Honors Multivariable, and then regular calculus. I do at least two hours of exercise, like riding my bike and running, always after school right here. At 5:30-7:30, I work my second job, which is tutoring. And then I go home at 8:00. On the weekends, I usually watch movies with my kids Friday nights. Saturday morning, I do a long ride, maybe like 4-5 hours and 40 miles of mountain biking, if the weather permits. In the afternoon, I go to my kids’ sports. Sunday, I ride a little bit and I work as a tutor on the side.
Do you have any kids?
I have three boys: 15, 17, and 19. 19 is studying neuroscience at Yale. The other two are at Blair Academy, the school I came to as an exchange student. It’s kind of a family tradition.
What’s it like being a teacher and a parent?
I try not to help my kids [with schoolwork] at all. I try to stay away from that so they improve themselves on their own. I try not to intervene but I make sure they are doing their responsibilities. I try not to be a teacher to them. I try to be a dad. However I behave to [my kids], I behave in the school to my students, and I approach teaching the same way. I think it works out well, so that way I can give space to my own kids and help my students the same way.
If you had to tell every student at MLHS one thing, what would it be?
Mountain Lakes students are great students, and I just want to say “Job well done!” so far. This is a great community. I think they are doing a great job, and the students are amazing and I really enjoy teaching here.
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