About Me

Hello everyone! 

Welcome to my "About Me" classroom page! 

Below, you will have the opportunity to learn a little bit more about who I am. Before we dive in, for those of you who saw my last name and couldn't pronounce it, it is pronounced "Bell-lie-yev". It takes some practice...if that's too hard, "Mr. B" gets the job done. 

First and foremost, I am looking forward to being your teen's/your teacher for this next school year! Having recently gone through high school and college, I realize the importance of establishing a positive teacher-student relationship. I know one of the most important stepping stones towards success in my life has included the influential teachers and adults who have helped me to become the person that I am today. I aspire to not just be your everyday Social Studies teacher, but to also be a mentor and positive role model to all of my students. 

This school year will be my fifth in education, all five having been at Whiting High School. In 2021, I graduated from (the great) Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, with concentrations in Government and History. I have lived in Chicago for the last four years. I am currently living in the Buena Park/Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago, with my first two years having been spent in Pilsen. It has been a joy becoming acclimated to Chicago and Northwest Indiana,  both as a resident and as an educator. 

Growing up and until 2021, I called the Indianapolis, Indiana area home. I was born in Indianapolis and raised in Carmel, Indiana, where I went through K-12th grades and eventually graduated from Carmel High School. After graduating from High School in 2017, I decided to pursue my career as a teacher at Indiana University Bloomington.  I lived in Bloomington from 2017 until 2021, when I went back home and lived in Westfield, Indiana as I completed my student teaching experience at Creekside Middle School in Carmel, Indiana.

My life story begins like that of many others who live in the United States. In 1994, my parents took a massive leap of faith by deciding to immigrate to the Indianapolis area from Kharkiv, Ukraine (hence the last name). Being a first-generation immigrant, I have further learned and embraced what it means to be humble, how to overcome the many adversities that life throws at you, and to always appreciate what you have in life, both large and small. I am blessed to call the United States my home, to have had the opportunity to go to great public schools, and then to have graduated from Indiana University. I am also a proud 21st Century Scholar student, with this special program truly giving me the keys to unlock a brighter future for myself. 

Finally, in my free time, you will find me rooting on my Colts and Pacers (sorry if you're a Bears and/or Bulls fan), seeking out wisdom and knowledge, watching the news and TedTalks, reading, and meditating. I am also an avid fan of trying new ethnic foods, working out at the gym, going on runs, traveling worldwide, talking to my family (in Indy, and in Ukraine and Russia), and spending quality time with friends.

I really look forward to being your/your teen's educator for the upcoming school year. It is an honor to be your child's teacher, as I have the privilege to encourage and advocate for my students while guiding them during a small part of their journeys through life. As aforementioned, our classroom will not just be a harbinger of knowledge but also a safe space,  a place to grow, and an inclusive environment for all.  I know that together, as parents, students, and myself alike, we will do great things.