Maria is a graduate of the Moscow School of Culture (specialty: choreographer, organizer, and leader of children’s groups). Graduated from the Moscow University of Culture and Arts. An instructor of folk dances and a teacher in Russian-language schools in the Greater Seattle area with over 20 years of experience.Director and choreographer of the dance ensembles “Ivan-da-Marya” and “Firebird.”
For over 5 years, she has successfully worked at Sarodgini School as an educator, teacher, event organizer, and producer.
Starting in 2024, she has also taken on the role of Principal Assistant Director at Sarodgini Private Elementary School. Director, producer, and choreographer of the “Classics” Theater Studio at the CLASS Sarodgini School.
Maria is a dedicated professional with a rich creative background. She has two children, a French Bulldog, and a strong passion for theater and floristry. Active actress at the “Chameleon” Theater in Seattle, showcasing her love for performing arts.Skilled in floristry, combining creativity and precision to craft beautiful floral arrangements. Maria values her big, loving family as her greatest source of inspiration and support.
Maria is a graduate of the Moscow School of Culture (specialty: choreographer, organizer, and leader of children’s groups). Graduated from the Moscow University of Culture and Arts. An instructor of folk dances and a teacher in Russian-language schools in the Greater Seattle area with over 20 years of experience. Director and choreographer of the dance ensembles “Ivan-da-Marya” and “Firebird.”
Maria is a dedicated professional with a rich creative background. She has two children, a French Bulldog, and a strong passion for theater and floristry. Active actress at the “Chameleon” Theater in Seattle, showcasing her love for performing arts. Skilled in floristry, combining creativity and precision to craft beautiful floral arrangements. Maria values her big, loving family as her greatest source of inspiration and support.
She graduated from Lake Washington Technical College with a degree in Accounting and has more than 15 years of experience as a manager and accountant. She has been working in Sarodgini since 2012. Tamara is also a proud mother of two absolutely amazing children.
My name is Joan Henderson. I have been teaching grades K-6 in various settings for 34 years. I am Washington State Certified to teach K-8th grade and have an Advanced Montessori Certificate.
I graduated from Seattle University in 1991.
I love the Montessori method of teaching, and in my classroom, you will find a variety of educational approaches. I have high expectations for my students and challenge them to meet these expectations by holding them accountable for their progress. I have a strong desire for each student to learn and set up my classroom in a way that allows each individual to grow and succeed. I can accomplish this by being dependable, highly organized, flexible, and creative. I successfully built a positive rapport with children and maintain open and honest communication with parents and peers. In my experience, learners are most engaged when their day is filled with inquiry and creativity. I have seen that when students can make personal connections to a topic and are given choice in their learning, they progress on their journey toward becoming intrinsically motivated, lifelong learners.
I love nature and the quiet solitude it offers. I enjoy reading, cooking and baking, scrapbooking, hiking, and searching for beautiful rocks and beach glass. I spend my summers sailing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, from the Puget Sound to the San Juan Islands and up into Canada.
I have been an elementary school teacher for the past four years, working in both private and public schools.
I hold a BA in Social Science/Education from Ashford University. I am currently pursuing my MA in Education from the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky.
I have a passion for sparking children's creativity through project-based learning. I feel children can reach their full potential when their strengths are recognized and learn best through hands-on experiences and through the magic of play.
I was born in Washington and spent a decade in Colorado, where I pursued my passion for teaching.
I earned my degree in Elementary Education from Colorado Mesa University, with a specialization in conceptual math and the science of reading.
Now in my eighth year in the classroom, I am dedicated to fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning in my students. I currently hold a Washington State Teaching Certificate and have been working at Impact Public School-Public Sound Elementary in Tukwila, WA, since 2022. I have also worked as a private tutor and adult learning facilitator since 2017.
I live in Kirkland with my family and enjoy exploring the area's beaches, lakes, and mountains. In my free time, I love traveling—especially road trips along the West Coast—reading, and creating art.
I worked as a Russian language teacher in several schools in the USA.
I strive to make each lesson engaging for students and explore various forms and methods that can explain complex material in a clear and accessible way. I also try to add a twist to each lesson and make the kids interested in it.
Elena graduated from pedagogical courses based on Gymnasium No. 63 for preschoolers. She studied at St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University and then worked at the Wildlife Center of the Scranton Zoo in Scranton, PA.
I have been teaching programming for two years in the United Kingdom and am now continuing my journey at Step Computer Academy. With extensive experience as a programmer, I am passionate about helping students develop their coding skills and creativity. I believe that programming is not just about writing code—it’s about problem-solving, logical thinking, and bringing ideas to life. My goal is to make learning programming engaging, accessible, and fun for everyone.
She has worked at Sarodgini since 2018. Natasha is the mother of two children. She graduated with honors from the Samara Pedagogical School, specializing in kindergarten education, and also from the Samara Pedagogical Institute, with a focus on Preschool Pedagogy and Psychology. She graduated from the Samara State Academy of Economics. She worked as a jurist for a short time. Then she realized that music is her vocation. Natasha taught children music, working in Russian kindergartens and organizing music competitions, celebrations, and performances for over 10 years. She has a truly inexhaustible fantasy. All of our holiday events are her merit. Children enthusiastically look at Natasha, and she gives them a beautiful world of music, dance, and, most importantly, the desire to appreciate music, the desire to feel it.
It is essential to me to offer the utmost warmth of my heart, maximum support, and unconditional acceptance to every child when working with them.
Marina Mamedova began her gymnastics journey at the age of six, performing weekly on a national TV show. At just eleven, she was selected for the Azerbaijan National Team. By the age of fifteen, she had earned the prestigious title of Master of Sport in the USSR (1977). She became the State Champion in Baku, Azerbaijan, and proudly participated in the Opening Ceremony of the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Teaching and has been coaching artistic and aerobic gymnastics since the age of 22. Her career spans both Russia and the United States. Since 2003, Marina has coached in Washington state, first at Emerald City Gymnastics in Redmond and currently as a Team Coach at Alpha Gymnastics in Woodinville.
My name is Vlad, and I’m excited to volunteer at Sarodgini Elementary School, where I enjoy inspiring creativity and learning in students from kindergarten through 5th grade. I hold a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, have over 10 years of experience tutoring and teaching college-level mathematics, and bring hands-on expertise in electronic assembly and manufacturing. This blend of skills allows me to share both technical knowledge and creative problem-solving with Sarodgini students. At Sarodgini, I enjoy engaging students through fun, hands-on activities, such as building cardboard robot models, using a patient and imaginative approach to make STEM subjects exciting and accessible. My experience in designing educational materials enables me to create lessons and projects tailored to various age groups. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, playing the guitar, and singing Russian songs. I’m committed to supporting STEM education and imaginative play at Sarodgini, and I look forward to contributing by assisting with activities, guiding crafts, and encouraging a love for discovery in every student.
My name is Tatiana Yegorova, and I have dedicated my life to working with children.
I was born in the beautiful city of Sevastopol and spent part of my childhood in Cairo, Egypt, where I studied at the British Council.
After returning home, I graduated from Sevastopol Humanities University with a degree in English Language and World Literature, and a focus on developmental psychology for preschool and school-aged children.
Throughout my journey, I’ve explored many paths—from guiding children’s mountain hiking tours in Crimea to working in real estate, running a small business, and pursuing art. But no matter where life took me, I always felt a deep connection to working with children. That calling led me to become a preschool teacher and nanny, caring for children from infancy through early elementary age. After moving to the U.S., I continued working in daycare and private homes, supporting young children in their early development. I am also a proud mother of a teenage daughter, which has given me even more insight into the beauty and complexity of childhood and parenting.
In my free time, I enjoy painting, hiking, listening to rock and electronic music, photography, and exploring new places. I’m passionate about creativity in all its forms and enjoy bringing imaginative, hands-on projects into the classroom. I believe that children thrive in an environment where they feel safe, inspired, and respected—and I strive to create that every day. I’m thrilled to be part of Sarodgini School and excited to share my experience, energy, and heart with the children and families I work with.
I am a Biology graduate from the University of Washington with minors in Neuroscience and Chemistry. Formerly a medical scribe, I'm gearing up for a Master's in Neuroscience this September. Beyond work and academia, my life is filled with moments spent cherishing my French Bulldog, experimenting with new cake recipes, indulging in diverse coffee varieties, and immersing myself in captivating books. For the past few summers, I have had the delightful opportunity to share the wonders of biology with eager young minds at Sarodgini summer camp. I also worked in various groups as an assistant for the last few years. Now, I eagerly look forward to bringing my passion for learning to the "Academics" classroom.
My name is Yaroslava, I’m 22 years old, and I now work as a cook in a kindergarten. I’m originally from Vynohradiv, in western Ukraine. Since I was young, I’ve taken care of my younger sister, who is eight years my junior, and I've always cooked for her. It became a family tradition for us. My grandmother taught me how to cook—she was not just a mentor to me, but like a real mother. She passed down to me not only recipes but also the understanding that food is a way to show love. I’ve worked as a cook in a restaurant and have completed all the necessary training and certifications. Now, as I cook for children in the kindergarten, I feel like I’m passing on that same care and warmth—into every dish and every day. I love children for their sincerity and spontaneity. They fill the world around them with bright colors, and I’m happy to be part of their lives. Every day, I will share with you the delicious meals your children had. Please let me know what they liked the most, so I can take that into account and continue to bring them joy—wishing you all a good appetite!
