Ms. Olya Lebedeva was born and raised in the historic city of Lviv and moved to the United States in 1998. In the early 2000s, she joined the Ukrainian School at St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Catholic Church in Chicago, where she taught history and later served as principal.
After moving to Charlotte in 2021, Ms. Olya recognized the growing need for a Ukrainian school — a place where children could nurture a connection to their roots and families could preserve their native language and culture while their children attended American schools during the week. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the growth of Charlotte’s Ukrainian community, Olya focused her efforts on supporting newly arrived Ukrainian families.
Over the following years, Ms. Olya consulted with several Ukrainian schools across the United States and Canada. In 2025, together with a team of dedicated educators, she co-founded the Olena Pchilka School of Ukrainian Studies.
Ms. Olya earned a Master of Business degree from the University of Illinois and a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation from Northwestern University. She has been a member of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization since 1991 and remains actively involved with Plast’s youngest scouting division in Charlotte, continuing her longstanding commitment to youth development and community service.
Ms. Iryna was born in the Poltava region of Ukraine. She began her work in Ukrainian education in the United States in an administrative role at a Ukrainian school in Bound Brook, New Jersey, where she gained valuable experience organizing the educational process and working closely with students, parents, and faculty.
Over time, Ms. Iryna discovered her true calling in teaching and transitioned into the classroom. She enthusiastically taught geography and Ukrainian culture, striving not only to share knowledge but also to foster in her students a deeper understanding of the world, a love for Ukraine, and respect for Ukrainian traditions.
In 2021, Ms. Iryna became an assistant principal, allowing her to apply her teaching and organizational experience on an even broader level. In this role, she actively contributed to the growth of the school community, supported high educational standards, and helped create a positive environment for children to learn and grow. During her time in Bound Brook, with Ms. Iryna’s dedicated support and commitment, more than 50 students successfully earned their Ukrainian high school graduation diplomas.
In 2025, Ms. Iryna and her family moved to Charlotte, where she immediately joined our school as Assistant Principal.
Ms. Iryna strongly believes that family plays a central role in shaping a child’s character and identity. She considers it especially important for parents to lead by example, teaching their children to respect Ukrainian traditions, language, and culture. For Ms. Iryna, preserving our cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations is one of the most important missions of Ukrainian education.
Mr. Roman Hirniak was born in Chicago and, together with his siblings, attended Ukrainian Saturday school, where his lifelong love for the Ukrainian language and culture began. He later earned his law degree from John Marshall Law School and has devoted his professional and civic career to serving the community.
Mr. Roman has served as mayor, deputy mayor, council member, and planning board member in Randolph Township, New Jersey. Today, he serves as President and CEO of the Ukrainian National Association and has spent more than 20 years working tirelessly as an advisor on Ukrainian education in the United States.
His many years of experience and sincere dedication to the Ukrainian community help support the continued development of Ukrainian schools, cultural programs, and educational initiatives. Mr. Roman inspires children and families to stay connected to their language and culture, pass this heritage on to future generations, and take pride in their Ukrainian roots wherever they may live.
Ms. Olha Maliuha was born and raised in the Kirovohrad region of Ukraine and moved to the United States in 2024. She earned her master’s degree from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, where she immersed herself in the study of Ukrainian language and literature.
In her work at the School of Ukrainian Studies, Ms. Olha strives to educate and inspire her students, helping them discover the richness of Ukrainian literature, develop a love for their native language, and build a deep appreciation for their national heritage. She strongly believes that knowledge of Ukrainian language and literature helps children stay connected to their roots, preserve their identity, and take pride in their culture even while living far from Ukraine.
Ms. Olha places special emphasis on creating a welcoming and supportive classroom environment where every student can feel confident, discover new possibilities, and develop their unique talents. And our students’ talents truly know no bounds!
In her free time, Ms. Olha enjoys reading, expanding her knowledge, and discovering new things.
Ms. Tetiana Semanyshyn is a history educator from the picturesque city of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, and a graduate of the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University in Kyiv.
For her, history is much more than an academic subject — it is a true treasury of our nation, preserving the memory, values, and identity of the Ukrainian people. With great passion and inspiration, Ms. Tetiana shares this knowledge with her students at the Olena Pchilka School of Ukrainian Studies, helping them better understand their roots and develop a meaningful connection to Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
Her teaching combines professionalism, sincerity, and dedication, inspiring students not only to learn Ukrainian history but also to take pride in it.
Ms. Viktoriia Kosenko is an elementary school teacher at our school. She is a graduate of Poltava V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University and has more than 12 years of experience working with young children.
Ms. Viktoriia moved to the United States two years ago, and being part of a Ukrainian school is especially meaningful to her — a place where the Ukrainian language, culture, and traditions continue to thrive.
She truly enjoys working with children and helping them discover the Ukrainian language — learning to read it, write it, understand it, and develop a genuine connection to it. Ms. Viktoriia believes that language is one of the most important ways we stay connected to our roots and pass a piece of Ukraine on to our children, wherever they may live.
Ms. Viktoriia is especially proud of the opportunity to teach children who previously did not speak Ukrainian and to watch their progress and confidence grow week after week.
