– Graduated with an Elementary Education & Psychology degree from Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J.
– Second Grade teacher at Beacon Prep Academy for the past 2 years.
– Taught Pre-K, First Grade, Second Grade, and Third Grade for 25 years at Seashore School in Long Branch, N.J. Additionally taught second grade for 2 years at Southeast Elementary in Kinston, North Carolina.
– Directed, produced, and choregraphed the productions of Frozen Jr. and The Jungle Book Kids at Beacon Prep Academy.
– Along with my husband Craig opened a musical theater company called TheatreCraft in Long Branch, NJ. The program encompasses various disciplines for children in musical theater including full scale productions.
– Program Director for Seashore Day Camp’s Theater Camp and after school program Seashore Players’ for 16 years. Created a comprehensive performing arts program where I produced, directed, and choreographed over 50 full scale productions for elementary and middle school students.
– As an elementary school teacher, I utilize my musical theater experience in the classroom in ways to help keep children actively engaged in their learning and mastering objectives.
When I’m not teaching or working on musical theater, I enjoy spending time with my husband, my Cavapoo dogs JoJo and Lola, and traveling to Disney World.
– Graduated Georgian Court University with a dual degree in Humanities/Psychology and Elementary Education. Teaching Certification K-8.
– Taught 5-8 Language Arts, 5-8 Honors Math, Grade 3, Grade 4 and Grade 5 for over 15 years at Holy Innocents Parish School in Neptune NJ.
– Teacher of 5-8 grade Math Olympics Team.
– Advisor for Mock Trial team.
– What I love most about being a teacher is being with my students each day and becoming a part of their lives. I am fortunate to be able to help mold my students into young adults and help prepare them for their future. I love to challenge and encourage them as if they were my own children.
When I am not at school I love to spend my time with my family, friends and dog. I also love traveling with my family, reading, gardening, cooking and baking.
Hi, my name is Yuliya Savelyeva and I am so happy to be a part of Beacon Preparatory Academy & Smart Stars Academy II. I hold a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Moscow Aviation Institute. I have also been tutoring and working with children of different ages for over 20 years. I have been with BPA & SSAII since 2020 and look forward to remaining a part of this school for many years to come. I am lucky enough to teach the logic class, Fun Science class, and so much more. I also am the Summer Camp, Spring Camp, Winter Camp, and After School lead teacher. This allows room for plenty of creativity and so many fun opportunities with the students. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us!
Hi, my name is Iryna Pidlypna, but the children know me as Ms. Irchyk. As of an early age I attended a children’s music studio for the class of piano. The competition “Chervona Ruta-91” of super-hits, “Ukrainian Lambada” and other hits had made me, at that time, as the No1 pop singer in Ukraine. In 1991 I released an album and in 1996 one of the songs became the laureate of the music program “The Hit of the year”. A year later I debuted as a dramatic actress-in the theater, Zankovetska, and played Marichka in the operetta “Sharika” and Ophelia in the tragedy of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. In 1997 together with the theater ,M Zankovetska, I toured the U.S., performed at festivals “Soyuzivka” and “Verkhovyna” (USA).
In 1998 I graduated from Lviv Higher musical Institute Lysenko, speciality – actress of theater and cinema, and Lviv State University. I. Franko, Ukrainian philology.
Needless to say that I absolutely love anything and everything related to arts, whether it be music or theater. I believe arts allows us to express ourselves in ways that are not of the “typical” form. Being able to give this experience and opportunity to young children brings me joy, and every new student whom I get to work with is a new adventure. It is so rewarding to see my students gain knowledge, develop an appreciation for the arts, and most of all- when the students find their passion and/or talent through my classes.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me and I look forward to getting to know you and your child.
Hi. My name is Irina Ardashnikova and I have been a teacher since 1990. I find this work to be the most rewarding. Since graduating with a Master’s Degree from Gomel State University in Russian Language Arts and Literature, I have surrounded myself with young and enquiring minds. I taught in both public and private settings and have been with Beacon Preparatory Academy and Smart Stars Academy II, from the very beginning. I believe that teaching is assisting discovery and I will work with every child to help them discover and unlock their potential. I look forward to getting to know each child and family, year after year.
Master of Sports of the USSR in judo. Master of Sports of International Class in Sambo. Multiple prize-winner and champion of all-Ukrainian competitions, 9 times winner of the Ukrainian Championships.
I participated in a large number of international class “A” tournaments. 5th place at the 1995 Student Universiade, Fukuoka, Japan. in the individual competition 7m. From 1992 to 1998 I was a member of the Ukrainian national team. I participated in the European and World Championships.
Worked in Ukraine:
1990-1998 Judo coach at a children’s and youth sports school
1999-2020 University teacher of physical culture.
2020-2022 Worked as a gymnastics, acrobatics, fitness and judo trainer in a kindergarten
From 2020 to 2022, worked as a physical education teacher at a secondary school.
Studied Lviv State University of Physical Culture
Completed postgraduate studies (PhD program)
Research focus: theory and methodology of training athletes of various qualification levels (combat sports, judo, sambo)
I am a motivated and responsible, energetic, friendly, positive worker, I learn quickly. My hobby is beekeeping. I speak Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, French. I am learning English.
SPORTS CAREER:
1998. International tournament category “A” Warshaw, Poland. 57 kg
1997. Bronze medal (3rd place). World Championship, Sambo, Yugoslavia, Novi Sad
1995. Bronze medal (3rd place). World Cup, Sambo, Russia, Kaliningrad
1995. 7th place, University Cup, Judo, Japan, Fukuoka
1994. Bronze medal (3rd place). World Cup, Sambo, Russia, Rzhev
1994. Gold medal (1st place). Individual championship, World Cup, Sambo, Russia, Rzhev
1992. Bronze medal (3rd place). European Championship, Sambo, Ukraine, Kyiv
1992. Bronze medal (3rd place). World Cup, Sambo, Belarus, Minsk
1991. Bronze medal (3rd place). USSR Championship, Judo, Russia, Bryansk
1990. Silver medal (2nd place). USSR Championship, Judo, Moldova, Chisinau
Hello everyone! My name is Michelle Kozoubei. I am currently a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and will be graduating very soon. I am majoring in forensic psychology and minoring in criminology. I have been working at Beacon Preparatory & Smart Stars Academy II for over three years now and enjoy working with children of all ages! I have been here from the very beginning, and it has been such a pleasure getting to watch everyone grow into such kind and creative students. In my free time, I enjoy putting my artistic capabilities to use through painting. I also like playing tennis! Most importantly, I love to spend time with my family and find so much joy in getting to travel with them. I truly love working at this school and have definitely created long lasting friendships with all of the wonderful staff.
Hello everyone. I am Viktoriia Makhonina, an assistant teacher at Smart Stars Academy II as well as the aftercare assistant at Beacon Prep. I was born in Belgorod, Russia. I have a degree in Economics and I have worked in the HR department of a bank for over 30 years. My work has always been related to people, their education, and development. This is what inspires me and brings me joy. I am also a creative person who enjoys drawing and creating beautiful things with my own hands. Working with children brings me a lot of positive emotions and allows me to share what I know and love with them. I am thrilled to be a part of the Smart Stars Academy II team and be able to work with each of your children.
Hi everyone! My name is Kateryna Turchiniak. I am 41 old years, married, with children of my own. I currently live in Old Brige and originally was born in Ukraine. I love cooking, adventures, and taking care of my family. I am so excited to be able to prepare delicious, healthy meals for each student at Beacon Prep & Smart Stars Academy II.
Hi everyone. My name is Anna Dobrenko and I was born on 07/22/1988 in Ukraine, Chernivtsi. I graduated from Kiev National University in 2010 with a Master’s Degree in International Economics. Currently, I work as a chef at Beacon Preparatory Academy & Smart Stars Academy II. I have always had a passion for cooking and enjoy it very much. I am married with two children, my son Nikita who is 8 years old and my daughter Katerina who is 6 years old. I strive to always prepare nutritious and tasty meals for my family just as much as I do for your children. I also really enjoy working with children and getting to know their families. Bon appetite 😉
Good day all! My name is Oleg Godin and I am the bus driver for Beacon Prep and Smart Stars Academy II. I have had many professions in my life, but I find that working with you and your children is what makes me the happiest. I love seeing the smiling faces every morning and being the one to greet them. I am a professional bus driver and my main focus is ensuring safety for all the students that enter my bus. I look forward to taking the children on fun trips throughout the school year, being part of the summer camp, and getting to know all of you!