Olga Nesmeyanova

Preschool Director
 

I’m a licensed early childhood educator with a master’s degree in child development and psychology from Stavropol State University. I have been working with children of all ages since 2008, and as a mother myself I understand the importance of having loving and professional childcare providers in the lives of preschool children. My main priorities are safety and love, which are the foundation for bringing up a happy and successful person. I try to make learning fun and exciting by participating in continuing education and incorporating new educational methods into my classes.

When not in school I’m enjoying outdoors with my husband and our daughter and finding some time for my jewelry making hobby.

Ilona Tuzman, NP

Nurse
 

I feel privileged to be able to join Lumen in its inaugural year as the school nurse! Prior to School Nursing I worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner at a Primary Care & Walk-In Clinic, then a private internal medicine practice out of Newton Wellesley Hospital. For the past 5 years I have been home raising my own 3 children, one of whom is a 4th grader at Lumen! One of my kids is medically complicated and has special needs. He has been the best teacher a nurse could ever ask for. I cannot wait to get to know your children and help care for them at school.

Mila Teshler, MS, OTR/L

Learning Center Director
 

Founder and Clinic Director of KidLink Therapy PC

I am a certified and licensed Pediatric Occupational Therapist with twenty years of experience working with infants, children and adolescents in clinic, school and home settings. I am also the founder and the clinic director of KidLink Therapy PC as well as the brain health coach and performance enhancement specialist at Artistry Martial Arts.

Jeremy Dunn

Engineering/Technology
(Afterschool Club)

Middle School TechEd & Engineering teacher at FA Day Middle School, Newton

My goal of teaching is to instill an Engineer’s mindset, where creativity and resourcefulness are nurtured through the Design Process.  

I strive to create an environment where students feel empowered to use hand tools, where failed iterations are viewed as stepping-stones towards innovative solutions, and where students feel confident tackling problems head-on.  My mediums of choice are a blend of lateral thinking problems, traditional wood-shop projects, blueprints, and 3D modeling.

When I’m not in the classroom, I can be found trail running, rock climbing, or in the mountains with my wife and children.

Marina Gutner

Math 

Coming soon!

Yulia Khrapunova

Math

Coming soon!

Olena Labrecque 

Science
 

My main priority is to get kids excited about science and engineering. I want students to leave class not only with new knowledge but also wanting to come back for more. We will be doing labs and hands-on activities, playing games and solving puzzles. My background is in Electrical Engineering, Chemistry and Molecular Biology, I hold a M.S. degree from University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

Kimberly Brown

English  

I’ve taught English and ELA in the Bronx, NYC; Richmond, VA; and Newton, MA. I love working with teachers, students, and their families to help young people become creative, independent thinkers and globally minded citizens. I hold a Master’s degree in Advanced Teaching Practices with a specialization in Reading and Literacy, and an endorsement from my students in puns.

Judy Gatlin

English  

For the past 3 years, I’ve taught Language Arts to students in grades 1-4 at Star Academy where I also introduced the third and fourth grade students to the works of Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare through guided reading seminars.
During the 12 years prior, I ran Academic Enrichment Programming for the City of Framingham through the Homework Center After School Tutoring Program. This included annual academic events like spelling and geography bees, essay contests, coding clubs, and cultural programming. During this time, I recruited, trained and supervised 62 tutors. Together we helped hundreds of children raise their grades, learn to believe in themselves and love all kinds of literature.
What I’d like you to know most about me is that I love reading. I believe my job is to help every student love reading too. Reading helps us understand life, it helps us become better critical thinkers. My academic background is Clinical Social Work.

Masha Shandalov, M.Ed.

Russian Language  

Russian Teacher at Alma Mater, Shaloh House, and New England Language School

I’m a teacher of Russian language and literature with experience in Belarus, Israel, and the US.  I am currently expanding my horizons by continuing my studies as a Speech Language Pathologist at Elms College. I’m also able to teach classes while hanging upside down from a tree branch or monkey bars.

Elina Starobinets

Art 

Art Teacher at Lukomorie School

Math Teacher/Coordinator at Studio of Engaging Math

Upon graduating BU with a BFA, I realized that I love working with kids. I have spent the last fifteen years teaching art at a Russian-immersion program, running an illustration club at a Newton Middle School, and working with PreK–1st graders at the Studio of Engaging Math. In my free time, I helped run an escape room, participated at a small Russian theater and made two cute little girls, who have taken over and made sure I will never be bored ever again.

Alana Kumalagova 

Russian Through Theater

Studio Director of Arlekin Studios

My goal is to foster and encourage students’ interest in literature, language and theater, while developing their innate artistic talents. My approach combines the study of Russian language with teaching the basics of theater, and I believe it to be one of the most effective methods of language instruction. In my teaching, I draw upon my extensive knowledge of the Stanislavsky system, the Michael Chekhov technique, and the leading methods from the Vakhtangov school, which I learned as a student at the Shchukin Theatre School.

Yelena Kadeykina

High School Admissions
 Advisor

Founder and CEO of Hermiona Education

I am a high-tech entrepreneur and an educational expert. Currently, I am serving as a CEO and founder of Hermiona, an educational company whose diverse team are graduates of top American and global universities. From exam-prep to interview coaching to helping students formulate their personal mission as a capstone project, Hermiona’s team goal is to empower students to reach their potential.
I am also  a mentor and board member of several international startups, as well as a Forbes contributor and a speaker at the International Economic Olympiad. I have extensive experience in the educational landscape and have authored programs for gifted children.

Jenya Shekhter

Theater
 

Founder and Director of Wandering Lampshade (Бродячий абажур)

My lessons immerse children in the creative process and develop their imagination, curiosity, confidence, spatial reasoning and more.

Eva Dominyak

Music Theory/History
 

Composer, Arranger at Boston Bilingual Singers and Theater on the Roof

I am a highly experienced educator with advanced degrees in music history, composition, and arranging, boasting over 25 years of teaching experience. I am also the creator of a computer arranging course and founder of the MusicVision: The Engaging Story of Music educational project for children.

To get an idea of what I do, please visit my project’s website: https://www.musicovidenie.com/

Aleksey Shuruyev

Rock Climbing
 

Founder and Director of International Rock Climbing School

I have 38 years of climbing and mountaineering experience in the Alps, Caucasus, Crimea, Yosemite, U.S Rocky Mountains, Canada, Mexico, New England and Alaska, with many first ascents. I am a teacher by education; some of my students have gone on to become USA Youth and College National Championships, some have made the US Youth National Team and went on to compete at the Worlds.

I am also a USA climbing certified coach, a graduate of the Appalachian Mountain Club Leadership School, a Wilderness First Responder, and is CPR /First Aid certified. 

The most frequently asked question I get: what is your hardest climb? Here is one video, and another which can answer the question.

Will Asia

Martial Arts
 

Head Instructor at Artistry Martial Arts, Waban

I am a dedicated and proficient martial artist who started learning Martial Arts at five years of age. I won gold medals in Wushu, Sanda, Tae-Kwon-Do competitions. I have twelve years of experience as an instructor, have taught hundreds of children, adolescents and adults and am well known in the martial art community.

Haim Zion

PE

Afterschool: Tennis, Soccer
 

Since I moved to the US almost 4 years ago, I’ve been a PE teacher in Maimonides school in Brookline and Metro West Jewish Day School in Framingham.

I am a former tennis professional and former National Israel Tennis Coach who has been in education, sports, and wellness for 25 years.

  I got my bachelor degree at Vingeate sport Academy in Israel

In my free time, I love spending time with family, working out at the gym, running, and playing soccer.

Maria Kotova

Music
 

I believe music is a joyful experience and I love sharing this art with kids. Singing is one of humanity’s oldest activities, and it fosters a sense of community and improves well-being.
I have trained at the Gnessin State Musical College and at the Institute of Contemporary Art. Additionally, I hold a master’s degree in Sociology and Psychology from Moscow State University of Management.
Throughout my career, I have authored and presented numerous thematic recitals, collaborating with artists and ensembles both in my native country and the US.
I have taught at the Beethoven Music School, provided music therapy, and currently work at the Maria Kotova & Ron Williams International Vocal Studio, as well as several preschool centers. I have also attended seminars for instruction in the Orff Pedagogic method with Tatiana Tutunnikova.

Dima Barash

Chess
 

Chess Grandmaster
6th rating in the world in 1992 (ICCF)

I have been teaching chess for 30 years; my students have gone on to become Massachusetts champions and trophy winners of US championships.

Chess is a unique activity, developing the following characteristics in a child:

• memory, concentration, creativity, patience
• the ability to devise plans, compare different possibilities, think ahead, think abstractly, prioritization
• attentiveness, persistence, objectivity, independence
• the ability to think in your head

And all of these are learned by the child in the most natural way – by playing the game!