THE BEST TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS IN OTTAWA
The success of any educational centre begins with the people who work there. The greatest asset of the Matryoshka-Uspekh Cultural Centre is its teachers and educators. They are the ones who create the unique atmosphere of care, trust, and inspiration that has encouraged parents from Ottawa and Gatineau to choose Matryoshka for their children for more than twenty years. The centre is home to dedicated teachers and educators whose professionalism and commitment make every class special.
Traditions and Continuity
Over the years, the centre has become a true second home for many families. Parents first bring their little ones to the daycare, then the children continue their education at the Uspekh School, and now a new generation is returning — former students are bringing their own children. This continuity says something very important: at Matryoshka, children are not only taught, but also raised with love and care.
The People Who Make the Magic Happen
At the heart of the centre is a team of professionals. Anna Nikolaevna Frolova is the founder and director of the centre, a person who has been setting the tone for all its projects for two decades. Oksana Frolova is the organizer and the heart and soul of the team.
School Teachers
The Uspekh School has an outstanding group of teachers. Leonid Podolsky is a talented educator with a special approach to children. Tatiana Dunevskaya is an experienced and attentive mentor. Elena Knyshova, who holds an academic degree, teaches mathematics and also supervises the after-school program. Alyona Verniba is an inspiring teacher who once brought her grandson to the centre and later became part of the team herself. Tatiana Ekshtat is a music teacher who opens the world of harmony to children. Elena Emelyanenko is an elementary school teacher at Uspekh, as well as a music and vocal instructor with a charming voice.
The centre takes special pride in its team of early childhood educators.
Natalia Maistrovskaya works with children aged four to six, teaching them to read and write in Russian. Svetlana Menshikova and Natalia Istomina work with the younger groups while combining their practical experience with studies at Algonquin College. Oksana Kutakh combines the roles of teacher and educator and is adored by both preschoolers and school-age children.
The team has also welcomed new staff members. Marina Polyakova helps as a substitute educator. Inna Polishchuk works with children aged three to four and inspires them with creative crafts. Ksenia Afanasyeva and Natalia Kostiv care for the youngest children. Nina Grankina is our volunteer, always bringing brilliant ideas and suggestions.
And, of course, the centre would not be complete without its cooks. Natana Timchenko prepares breakfasts and lunches that the children love, turning every meal into a real pleasure. Her assistant, Nadezhda Dymma, is a kind and responsive person who is always ready to support her colleagues.
More Than Education
Today, Matryoshka-Uspekh is much more than a daycare and a school. It is a full cultural centre that also includes the Golden Age Club. But the centre’s greatest treasure is its people.
They combine professionalism, warmth, and creativity in a truly special way. They know how not only to teach, but also to inspire, support, awaken curiosity, and nurture a love of learning in children. They are a team of like-minded people for whom every child and every guest of the centre matters.
It is their talent and energy that have transformed Matryoshka-Uspekh into a symbol of trust, quality, and family warmth for Ottawa’s entire Russian-speaking community.
If you would like to enrol your child in the daycare or school, please call 613-218-8805.
Issue
September 2025
1 September 2025