In Memoriam: Ani Ivanova (1968-2024)

Nick Mazing, Class of 1997

We didn’t deserve Ani. By and large, we were rude, unruly, wild, and disrespectful. Yet, despite this, she didn’t just give us her best – she gave us the best.

It took me decades to fully realize the depth of her impact. Years of excelling in math-heavy undergraduate and graduate classes – where I didn’t just know the material but understood it well enough to teach it – made me appreciate her even more. Years of being comfortably fluid across quantitative concepts at work. And now, as a parent and the Chief Math Homework Explainer in our family, I still solve and explain problems. The COVID years only reinforced how good she was: I spent hundreds of hours in Zoom math classrooms with teachers from the U.S., Russia, Ukraine, China, Armenia, and Uzbekistan. The time spent in Ani’s classes is truly the gift that keeps on giving, decades later.

But Ani was more than an exceptional teacher. She was human, approachable, and refreshingly direct. I spent years sitting in the front row, right across from her desk, which was just like ours. I can still smell the markers and hear them squeak on the whiteboard. I can still hear her switching between English and Bulgarian to ensure the concepts stuck.

Imagine, if you can, Fall semester 1993. We were her first class at ACS. It must have been October, the day after her first parent-teacher meeting. She walked in, came up to me, lifted her chin, squinted her eyes, and victoriously said, “майка ти е македонка, а?” (“Your mom is Macedonian, huh?”), referring to the region they were both from. She had formed a bond with my mom the night before, and her message was clear: I had to behave better. Maybe they’ll find each other in heaven.

We didn’t deserve her, but we are forever grateful for her, long after the markers have dried and the whiteboard has been erased. Rest in peace, Ani.

Vassil Dichev, Class of 1997

I see the picture in the Facebook post first and involuntarily I smile – a sea, a cloudless sky, and Ani smiling. Then I read the news and something tightens in my chest. I feel an irrepressible urge to walk to the next room. I come back and read the news again- no, I didn’t see wrong. My wife asks me what’s going on. I need a moment before I can muster the strength to answer.

At first, I’m surprised by how upsetting this news is to me. I haven’t seen or spoken to Ani in years. But when I think back to my school years, she was always one of us – from the bridge games she was willing to join in to the fact that many students shared many things with her much as a friend. Her warmth and empathy for our problems helped a lot of people come to love math – or at least stop hating it. So when my son enrolled in ACS 3 years ago, I was disappointed that Ani had decided to take a break that particular year… I was hoping that she could teach him, too, and that we might see each other at a parent meeting. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

But Ani left a trail. Ani touched thousands of students and changed them. She taught them to be patient yet demanding of themselves. And all these people will never forget Ani.

Katerina Kormusheva, Class of 1997:

For me, Ani Ivanova was the most unforgettable teacher for our class of 1997. The most vivid memory I have with her is from a trip she took with us, the students considering applying to the American University in Bulgaria, to Blagoevgrad, her hometown. It must have been a weekend, or a similar busy travel day, and we took a train from Sofia to Blagoevgrad, seats were overbooked, and we had to stand in the hallways. During the entire train journey, she stayed with us in the crowded, dirty, noisy, rattling train compartment corridor. She told us a lot about the town, introduced us to her brother, who was studying at AUBG, offered insider trips about locations in town, and gently refused any invitation to take a seat, when seats started to become available. That was Ani: always positive, always approachable, genuine, more like an older sister to us than a teacher. I think if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t end up choosing AUBG, and of course all other things that life brought following this path, wouldn’t have happened. Thank you, Ani, you will always be in our hearts.

Eva Tzokova, Class of 2007

Ms. Ivanova, or Аничка, as we would usually refer to her between ourselves, was my favorite teacher in ACS. Kind, smart and knowledgeable – it was always a pleasure to be in her class. She would never stress students, even during exams – she would walk around and without saying too much, gently nudge everyone who was stuck in the right direction.

I have great memories of sitting in her class with my best friend, and am so sorry I didn’t get the chance to see her in recent years. I hope she knew how much she meant to so many of us.

Annie Andreeva, Class of 2007

Dear Miss Ani, thank you for always believing in me. I was never good at math at school and yet you were my favorite teacher. You always wanted to motivate me and that made a huge difference. You’ve definitely touched the lives of many of us…! May your kind and sincere soul rest in peace! We will miss you!

Hristo Papazov, Class of 2017

I went to many math competitions with Ani Ivanova for the 5 years I was at ACS (2012-2017), and she was a great presence to have around. She took us five times to the International Young Mathematicians Festival in Sozopol. The photo was taken in Lovech, 2013, when we went to the math tournament of the language schools. Also something we did five years in a row with Ani. I am currently doing a PhD on AI in EPFL, using my math skills all the time.

Todor Penev, Class of 2002

I bow down to the bright memory of Ani! We are left with the fondest memories of an amazing teacher and person. She will always be with us – and we in her classes.

Ana Milanova, Class of 1997

May there be light and lightness where you are, Ani! I am sorry you had to go so early. Know that you are leaving a bright trail of memories in the minds and hearts of so many people. Sincere condolences to your loved ones!

Milko Pavlov, Class of 2002

A unique human being and among the most talented teachers I have had! She knew how to motivate us and demand the best of us, at the same time always finding time for a friendly conversation and life guidance! With her we had the most unforgettable classes filled with knowledge and lots of jokes and banter! We won’t forget you. I hope you are at a better place, Ani. Thank you for everything and for the path you showed us.

Yana Punkina, Class of 2002

I refuse to believe this! Ani has saved me a thousand times. I remain forever indebted to her. She was an amazing, amazing human being.

Kariane Ouellet, former ACS teacher

It breaks my heart to hear of her passing. Thank you for the time you were such a positive force in my life, when everything else had seemed to drag me down. Rest in peace!

Bogomila Traykova, Class of 2009

Thank you for the kindness and the meaning you gave me!

Darislav Dikov, Class of 2017

A mathematician with a gentle soul and a big heart. She believed in the power of love and care and inspired his students to strive for the top.

Desislava Davis, Class of 1997

Rest in peace, Ani. You have touched and brightened so many lives, including mine. We will miss you very much. Sincere condolences to your loved ones.

Lindsay Moran, former ACS teacher

Goodbye my dear friend. You will be missed by so many. Your memory is a blessing to all of us who knew you.

Milena Velez, Class of 2002

Such sad news. Ani will forever remain one of the most amazing teachers and people for me. Safe travels, Ani, we will miss you endlessly.

Petia Ivanova, Class of 1997

A bow down to you, lovely Ani. Your warmth, kindness, and dedication made math bearable and at times unexpectedly enjoyable for me. I will always remember you! May your soul rest in serenity and sunshine!

Ralitsa Dimitrova, Class of 2002

My favorite teacher! I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know her and for all she taught me, far beyond the world of math. Rest in peace, Ani!

Mihail Georgiev, Class of 2016

I can’t believe this. Wonderful person, great teacher, mentor. So, so sad…. We will miss you!

Nikol Kralimarkova, Class of 2017

A huge loss. Lovely, sweet, tough Ani, rest in peace.

Veronika Koykova, Class of 2002

So very sad. She remains one of my most important teachers, someone who grew up with us and became a friend after we graduated. Sincere condolences to her family.

Stefan Hubanov, Class of 1997

I bow down to the light you left behind, Ani! You were so brilliant in life, rest in peace now!

Nikolay Dimitrov, ACS Math teacher since 2019

It was 2019, I had just joined the math department. Like any new recruits, we were called in early to be introduced to all the applications that are used at ACS, like Gradelink, Engage, Google Classroom, Overleaf, Moodle. I was in a complete stupor as I was seeing everything for the first time and wondered how or if I would even be able to cope. One sunny day Ani walks into the teacher’s lounge, with her characteristic smile, leaves her stuff on the desk, looks around, turns to me with “You must be the new colleague” and we start talking as if we’ve known each other forever. Thanks to her, I managed to acclimatize very quickly and I would even say imperceptibly. She was my mentor, she gave me a lot of valuable advice – on student approach, lessons and classwork structureö she went over my tests and told me what was good, what should be changed, and how to best go about changing it. Unfortunately, with her illness, we saw each other less and less. I looked forward to the beginning of each school year because I hoped she would be back and I was sad when that didn’t happen. I comforted myself by saying “It’s okay, she’ll be back next year, you push this one out, Ani’s taught you how”. When I won the Teacher of the Year award in May 2024 I thought to myself that Ani played a significant part in me being who I am today. I hope she is in a better place!

Raya Gigova, ACS Sports teacher since 1993

Ani, how can I write about you in the past tense, when I always feel you when I pass by your room on the first floor of the Math Building. Last I remember they repainted it a pale purple, per your request. That purple – our favorite purple. And when I’m in your room I remember your posters about Spain, Gaudi’s fanciful buildings, and math, of course. It’s all you – the color purple, Spain, sun, sea, laughter, and that cheerful glance of yours. And how you loved, laughed, and joked with the students. All the memories of time spent with you, in college, the two ski camps, the faculty sports activities after school – aerobics, basketball, the parties for Halloweeen and Christmas, so many memories.

Ani – wonderful human being, beloved teacher, true friend. I like to say that every man goes with the times they lived in. This way, I find it so much more bearable to accept that someone has passed. I will always cherish the warmest memories of you, Anichka, my first close and true Friend at ACS. May you always be remembered!

With love,
Raya Gigova