Meet Our Staff
Our dedicated staff and faculty are passionate about fostering a love of learning in every child. From kindergarten to 8th grade, our educators create a supportive and engaging environment where students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Meet the team that makes our school a place of discovery, creativity, and lifelong success.
Larisa Hegenbarth
PhD Candidate in Educational Leadership and Personalized Education
School Administrator, International Educator
Curriculum Writer
ELD, ELA, Humanities, Math, Economics teacher
Languages: English, Russian
Larisa is a transformative leader in education with over two decades of teaching and leadership experience. A pioneer in blended learning, she has developed innovative curricula and guided teams in public, charter, and private schools. Larisa’s philosophy centers on student potential, fostering environments where students discover their talents and engage in meaningful, student-centered learning with voice and choice.
Her academic journey includes an M.A. in Philology, an M.B.A. across Udmurtia RF, the Netherlands, and the USA, and advanced studies in Education Leadership at the University of Denver. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Personalized Education under Professor David Hopkins, Larisa continues to blend her expertise with her passion for serving families. A dedicated community advocate, she has launched numerous initiatives supporting Denver’s multicultural families and has volunteered extensively to empower children and families in need.
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Kiana Rendon
English Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher
Languages: English, American Sign Language
Kiana is a passionate and reflective educator currently teaching English Language Arts, where she brings a strong background in Literacy, AP Human Geography, World History, and Personal Financial Literacy to enrich interdisciplinary learning. Known for her inclusive, student-centered classrooms, she is committed to equity, academic rigor, and differentiated instruction that empowers all learners. She has led curriculum development teams, mentored new educators, and supported Advanced Placement achievement through targeted instruction. Recognized with nominations for Teacher of the Year and the AISD RAVE Award, Kiana also holds certifications in AVID, Gifted and Talented, Dyslexia, and Special Education. Her classrooms are built on care, creativity, and meaningful engagement with the world.
Kirk Schattilly
School Administrator, International Educator, Curriculum Writer, ELD, ELA teacher
Languages: English, Spanish, Chinese
Kirk is a curriculum architect and adaptive educator who designs classrooms as ecosystems—alive with multilingual voice, symbolic rituals, and thoughtful inquiry. As Head ELD Teacher, he builds student-led environments where identity is shaped through dialogue and language becomes a tool for exploration, not compliance.
His pedagogy centers democratic learning, cognitive diversity, and playful resistance. Through translanguaging and dialogic design, Kirk fosters reflection, co-agency, and deep meaning-making in systems shaped by learners themselves. With two years of international teaching experience and a Master’s in Education focused on multilingual learners, he blends CEFR, CCSS, and equity standards into flexible frameworks that respond to learners, not constrain them.
Previously Vice Principal at an international school, Kirk supported exponential growth and helped forge global partnerships. Today, he continues crafting tools and ecosystems where curiosity isn’t a trait—it’s a portal.
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Madison Wollerman
Social Studies and Humanities Teacher
Languages: English
Madison is our Social studies and history teacher. She enjoys providing an engaging and hands-on approach to learning about history. Madison received her B.A. in Classical Civilizations from the University of Illinois: Champaign-Urbana. After her Bachelors, she continued her higher education. She received her M.A. in interdisciplinary studies at New York University. There she worked on research that combined technology and digital tools with studies about the ancient world to create engaging educational tools to teach history. She hopes to create a space where students can learn and use digital tools to enrich their education about history through this hands-on approach.
Lyle Smith
School Administrator, Curriculum Writer
ELA, ELD, Math, Elementary Teacher
Languages: English, Chinese, Korean
Lyle is a seasoned educator with a teaching career spanning over three decades. His experience includes K–12 instruction in public and charter schools, as well as international teaching assignments in China and Korea. A former principal, Lyle has a track record of driving exceptional student achievement. He holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.Ed. in Instruction, and School Administrator Certification. His passion lies in fostering growth and inspiring students to reach their full potential.
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Courtney Smus
Science and Mathematics Teacher, Researcher
Languages: English, Spanish, American Sign Language
Courtney was driven by curiosity from a young age. Intensely motivated to understand the world around her, attending school was an adventure to her. Growing up predominately in rural parts of Oklahoma, Missouri and West Virginia fostered Courtney’s belief that education is a privilege and a passion-for-learning was a gift. Having eight younger siblings, her desire to become a teacher developed naturally just by being the oldest child. She developed a deep understanding of the different ways in which children learn, resulting from the close, caring relationships she cultivated. In this way, Courtney discovered that the biggest impact she could have on the lives of children was by imparting them her gift, a lifelong love of learning.
A passionate advocate for diversity and equity, Courtney works to instill resilience in her students by guiding them along their path of learning, using enthusiasm to shape their perspective of learning. Courtney believes that when children see obstacles or challenges along their path as opportunities to learn, and view mistakes as vital stepping stones, resilience can become their superpower. As both a mentor and a leader, she encourages her students to think critically, collaborate meaningfully, and engage deeply with the world around them. She views education as a transformative experience that can empower all students, especially those who face challenges such as poverty or disability, to view themselves as problem-solvers who are capable of creating a brighter future for themselves and the world around them.
Sofiia Kuchma
Russian Language, Literature & Social Studies Teacher
Languages: Russian, English
Sofia is a passionate educator with extensive experience in curriculum development and private school teaching. Holding a B.S. in History and Social Studies, she expertly integrates language and cultural studies into her teaching. Sofia also leads Culinary Arts classes, blending her love for wellness and cooking into engaging, hands-on learning experiences for students.
Radmila Khusnutdinova
Visual Arts Teacher & Renowned Artist
Languages: Russian, Uzbek, English
Radmila is a gifted artist and educator who blends art, psychology, and teaching to help students overcome challenges and develop social-emotional skills. She holds advanced degrees in Arts and Childhood Psychology and has over 14 years of experience working with children in Colorado. Radmila also founded an art studio in 2015, offering classes in jewelry making, sewing, and crafts that inspire creativity and confidence.
Tetyana Palamarchuk
Music Teacher, Substitute Teacher
Languages: Russian, Ukranian, English
Tetyana is an accomplished music educator and choir conductor with over 20 years of experience. She holds an M.A. in Choir Conducting and Music Arts from the State Conservatory in Ukraine and is the founder of Adagio Music Studio, where she nurtures young talents. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every individual is a precious creation deserving of care and love. Tetyana’s passion for music, nature, and community shines in all she does.
Thomas Reed III
Professional Athlete, NLF Payer, Performance Coach, Physical Education Teacher
Languages: English
Thomas dedicated himself to assisting athletes and families across the country in navigating the complex world of college recruitment. His dual commitment to academics and athletics exemplifies his belief in the transformative power of education and sports. Thomas Reed's journey is one of passion, dedication, and an unwavering desire to uplift others. From his early days in New York to the professional football career, he continues to embody the spirit of perseverance and adversity.
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Vitalii Rudenko
Career & Technical Education Instructor
Coding, Digital Design, Programming
Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, English
Vitalii is a technology educator with over five years of experience developing curriculum for Career and Technical Education. He leads engaging classes in Web Design, Graphic Design, Coding, and Gaming Foundations, preparing students for modern careers. Vitalii also heads the school’s STEM Club, inspiring innovation and practical learning in after-school programs.
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Yesenia Michelle Reyes
Spanish Teacher
Languages: English, Spanish
Michelle is a dedicated Spanish teacher with four years of experience and a degree from the Pedagogical University of Honduras. Her passion for teaching began at an early age, and throughout her career, she has found that building strong, meaningful relationships with students is essential to effective learning. She has taught Spanish to students from early childhood through eighth grade, with a special emphasis on early childhood education. In every classroom, her goal is to inspire students to explore and enjoy the Spanish language while equipping them with the tools to communicate with confidence and clarity.
Her time at Novastar has broadened her professional skill set, allowing her to adopt innovative methodologies and approaches to language instruction. She firmly believes that education goes beyond academics—it’s about nurturing critical thinking, creativity, and empathy in every learner. Known for her warm, student-centered approach, Michelle adapts her teaching to meet the unique needs of each student. Her greatest reward is witnessing her students’ growth and knowing she has contributed to their journey both academically and personally.
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Camila Manni Dias do Amaral
PhD in Physics and Mathematics Education
International Educator, K-8 Teacher
Mathematics, Physics, Social Sciences, Humanities
Languages: Portuguese, English
Marie Perry
Art Educator, Visual Storyteller Photography & Videography
Languages: Russian, English
Marie is a creative and intuitive educator with a background in fine arts, photography, and storytelling. With a deep passion for student expression and self-discovery, she creates warm, inclusive classroom environments where students feel safe to explore their identity through visual and journalistic mediums.
Her approach blends classical techniques with modern visual media, empowering learners to think critically and express themselves authentically. Currently teaching art, Marie is expanding her work into student journalism and photography, helping young voices find their form in words and images.
A Belarusian-born artist and educator, Marie brings cross-cultural insight, empathy, and a deep commitment to nurturing the whole child. Her work reflects the belief that creativity is not just a skill—but a way of seeing, feeling, and participating in the world.
Sergei Nazarov
Elementary Physical Education and Substitute Teacher
Languages: Russian, English
Sergei is a dynamic and enthusiastic coach with a passion for youth sports, particularly soccer. He has extensive experience working with children in sports clubs and church youth programs, designing engaging activities that foster teamwork and skill development. Sergei’s expertise also includes school camp programming, creating memorable and active experiences for students of all ages.