Faculty
Nataliya Vdovychenko
Upper School Assistant Teacher
Nataliya Vdovychenko is originally from Ukraine, where she grew up in a family of math teachers for two generations. She received her M.S. in mathematics and computer science from Vinnitsa State Pedagogical University in 1990 and taught mathematics for five years at Vinnitsa High School. Nataliya then worked for 11 years at the Vinnitsa City Council as their computer specialist. Upon joining her family in the U.S., she completed the intensive ESL and computer courses at the English Center for International Women and at Laney College in Oakland. Nataliya has been in the teaching field for over 23 years. She has two daughters, one of them a BPC class of 2020 graduate. She joined Black Pine Circle School in 2009. Nataliya enjoys traveling, reading books, cooking, dancing, and spending time with her family.
Why I Work with Children
I love the students and helping them at school. Working at this school gives me a positive outlook and hope for the future.
A Favorite Book
I love Agatha Christie’s “cozy mysteries”. She wrote from the 1920s through the 1970s and she’s the best selling novelist of all time! Such vivid characters, such carefully written and thrilling plots!
Quick Fact
Fluent Russian speaker
Other Faculty for This Grade
Alyson Mitchell
Eighth Grade History & Geography Teacher
Keen on floating houses and mutant Basset Hounds
Anatoliy Gulimovskiy
Seventh Grade Math Teacher, Math Club / Math Team Coach
Played soccer on a Zambian teacher team
Gerry Branner
Upper School Physical Education Teacher, Upper School Dean, and Upper School Athletic Director
Jerry Kennedy
Seventh and Eighth Grade Music Teacher, Band Director
Performed music in South Africa during the end of legal apartheid.
Torin Coffino
Sixth Grade History Teacher
Played Gaelic Football as a youth, and won a Minors championship in Ireland
