Administration
Nadezhda Senina, BES Director
Nadezhda Senina has been the director of Bryte Evening School since 2019 and is passionate about keeping the Russian language alive within the community. She has been teaching at Bryte Evening School since 2011 before her current role as a director. She was born in Crimea in 1973, and after completing school she began working as a teacher assistant to gain experience. In 1993 she moved to Saint Petersburg to begin her studies in child development and child psychology, with an emphasis on instilling Christian values. She completed her degree, and moved to Kyrgyzstan to gain more experience teaching children,as well as doing missionary work for 8 months. After she returned home, she got married and continued working as a Sunday school teacher. In 2004 she moved to the USA with her husband and 4 kids and began living in California. Nadezhda attended American River College and completed the early childhood education program, as well as focused on raising her children and teaching them their native language. Nadezhda also teaches the 3rd grade and incorporates bible verses into many of her lessons to not only help grow her students Russian skills but also help them grow spiritually.
Her favorite bible verse is: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3:5-6
Margarita Lodzhanskiy, BES Administrative Assistant
Margarita Lodzhanskiy was born in Melitopol, Ukraine in 1996 and moved to America when she was just 8 years old. She grew up in Roseville most of her life and graduated Roseville High school in 2014. In late 2014 she began attending American River College to pursue a degree in Hospitality Management and Culinary, while working various jobs to gain experience. She graduated with an Associate's degree and also received a certificate in Baking and Pastry. After college, she got married and moved to West Sacramento where she got hired as a manager in a small sandwich shop. She worked there for almost 2 years, running a team of 10-15 employees. In 2021 she decided to switch careers and began working as an office assistant for a pest control company in North Highlands where she currently helps handle any and all office duties from answering phone calls to creating contracts/proposals.
Margarita has been a member of Bryte church since 2013 and has been working as a secretary for Bryte Evening School since 2018. She stays very busy working 2 jobs, but always makes time to dive into the word.
One of her favorite passages is: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Kristina Babai, BES Administrative Assistant
Kristina Babai was born in Donetsk, Ukraine. She lives in America for 4 years. Graduated from ‘’River City High School’’ in 2021 year and have a High School graduation diploma. Now she is studying at Sacramento City College.
She attends Bryte Church and sings in the choir ‘’Credo’’.
Her favorite Bible verse is: ’You’re going to make it. Trust me.’’ Psalm 23
Teachers
Viktoria Zuev, Pre-K and K
Hello! My name is Viktoria Zuev. I was born in Dushambe, Tajikistan and at the age of 4 my family moved to America. I completed my education in America and graduated from our very own Russian School. I studied early childhood education and worked in various childcare, school settings. God has blessed me with an amazing family. My husband and I have 2 little girls.
My goal is to introduce students to the beautiful Russian language and instill in them a love of our Russian culture. I pray that God will open the minds of our student body in learning, understanding and appreciating our language and heritage.
“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”-Proverbs 4:13
Galina Popikova, 1 Grade and Mathematics
Galina Popikova was born in Maykop, Russia. When she was 2 years old, her parents moved the family to Almaty (formerly Alma-Ata) Kazakhstan, where Galina completed high school and after, attended a college where she completed a program majoring in construction. Galina received a degree in secondary technical education, and after graduating, she began working at a university in “project ventilation” for over 19 years. After that, she began working as a technician and worked her way to become an engineering director. In 1984, Galina received a master's degree in the engineering field. From the years of 1975 to 1996, Galina was a Sunday school teacher at Second Baptist Church of Alma-Ata. In 1993, Galina was a teacher at a public school and also attended a biblical institute to become a coordinator for Sunday school. In 1996, Galina moved to California and began working at Sacramento City College in the mathematics department. Galina has also worked at First Slavic Church as a Russian school teacher and is now working at Bryte, teaching Russian and Mathematics. Galina has over 40 years of experience working with students.
Her favorite bible verse is Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people”.
Elena Iliashik, 2-3 Grades
Hello! My name is Elena Iliashik. I was born and grew up in Russia, the Krasnodar region, Varenikovskaya village. In 1986 I graduated from Novorossiysk Pedagogical College with an Elementary School Teacher major. After graduation, I have 30 years of working experience in my native school #56 at the place of residence. Every three years took refresher courses. In 2016 I moved to the United States.
At the invitation of the Bryte Christian Academy administration, I work as a teacher of Russian language and literature in elementary grades. I am very friendly, sympathetic, and I love children very much. During my teaching career, I received many certificates and thanks from the administration and parents. Some of my graduates have gold medals.
In my free time, I like to embroider with ribbons and bake. I volunteer in the kitchen at the Bright Church.
Yelena Bulgakova, 4-5 Grades
My name is Yelena Bulgakova. I was born in USSR, the Kyrgyz Republic. In 1974 I graduated High School. Then, I studied at Kyrgyz State University from 1974 to 1979. I graduated from Kyrgyz State University with a degree in Philology, and I became a teacher of Russian Language and Literature working in this profession for the next 18 years. In 1997, my family and I came to the USA. I started working as a teacher of Russian Language at Alyce Norman Elementary School in 1998 (it was an After School Program). At the same time, I was studying at Sacramento City College and working at a store. From 2003 to 2019, I was working for Twin Rivers Unified School District as a paraeducator. At the same time, I was also working as a teacher of Russian Language and Literature in two different Russian Saturday Schools. I have been working for the Russian Baptist Church as a teacher of Russian Language and Literature since 2008.
Liliya Olesenko, Art
Liliya Olesenko has graduated with BA degree in Studio Art from Sacramento State University and later with MA degree in Education from University of Phoenix. She has CA teaching credentials in High School Level Art. She is currently working for Roseville Joint Union High School District as a substitute teacher and as an Art teacher at Bryte Evening school. She worked for 10 years at Grace Family Christian school as an Art teacher and upper grades teacher. She has also worked at GFCS as a principal for two years. She has served as a Sunday school teacher for most of her adult life. She is involved in a few ministries at her home church - Grace Family, and one of the highlights was going with her family on a missionary trip to Poland last summer to work at the kids’ camp.
She likes reading, drawing, painting, and making ceramics. She lives in Citrus Heights with her husband and five children. One of her favorite Bible Verses is “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Rom. 8:28