From IT executive to “Math Lady,” Debby Vivari celebrates a decade of active retirement with Johns Hopkins Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
When Debby Vivari retired at age 62, she didn’t have a grand master plan. Today, ten years later, she is one of the most recognizable faces at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Debby recently celebrated her 10-year anniversary with the program, marking a decade defined by intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a deep-seated passion for education that extends from university-level seminars to elementary school classrooms.
Debby’s journey into lifelong learning began with a recommendation from a friend at her synagogue. “She told me that I was a perfect candidate for Osher,” Debby said. Upon investigating the program, Debby discovered there was a waiting list. “I had to wait until all members had enrolled and then I was allowed to sign up for two classes with open spots. One of those classes was Jim Blue’s Shakespeare class and I took his class for many years.”
“My first impression of Osher was overwhelming,” Debby continued. “I was impressed with the number and variety of classes and I liked the many people that I was meeting. I had no idea that a program of this kind existed. I called Osher once a week asking to become a fulltime member and when I finally made it, it was great.”
Debby’s Osher involvement quickly moved beyond the classroom. Over the last decade, she has become an integral part of the program’s infrastructure, serving in several key roles. “I have been a teaching assistant for many classes. I currently serve on the Osher Advisory Board and am a past secretary, and I’m currently head of the curriculum committee,” she said. Debby has also co-taught classes. “I really enjoy teaching, but I’ve learned that it’s a lot of work and I admire those instructors who do it on a regular basis.”
Debby cites learning new things as her greatest benefit of being a part of the Osher program. She also values the social aspects of the program. “I’ve met so many wonderful, smart and accomplished people and I’ve made some very good friends,” she said.
When asked about the best change in the program during her tenure, Debby cited Zoom classes. “Zoom classes allow us access to students and instructors outside of the Washington/Columbia area, and it allows members with mobility issues to stay connected,” she said. “But it’s a double-edged sword because we risk losing the invaluable social benefits of the program that in-person classes provide.” She considers losing the John Hopkins Rockville location as our home base as the least beneficial change. “That location had it all: plenty of classrooms, adequate parking, and common areas where members could congregate and fellowship. The staff has worked very hard to find new quarters for the program and I appreciate their efforts because it is not easy.”
Debby’s “retirement” is anything but quiet. Outside of her leadership at Osher, she maintains a brisk social calendar involving mahjong, a knitting group, a book club, and a short story group. However, her most impactful work happens at a local elementary school.
A former IT Vice President at Westat with a math degree from American University, Debby uses her expertise to combat “math phobia” in younger generations. Her lessons range from the historical importance of the number zero to the probability strategies behind Tic-Tac-Toe.
“My goal is to make math fun for the students,” she said. “We also discuss symbols and play math games. I get the nicest thank you notes from the students.”
The impact of her tutoring became clear during a chance encounter in a school cafeteria when she overheard a student whisper, “That’s the math lady.” The nickname stuck. After she shared the story with her husband, he surprised her with custom license tags. Today, whether she is heading to a board meeting or a lecture on the Bard, Debby can be spotted in the parking lot by her signature plates: MATHLDY.