The Best Teachers and Educators in Ottawa
The success of any educational center begins with the people who work there.
The greatest treasure of the cultural and educational center Matryoshka-Success lies in its teachers and educators. They are the ones who create the unique atmosphere of care, trust, and inspiration that has made parents in Ottawa and Gatineau choose “Matryoshka” for their children for over twenty years.
Tradition and Continuity
Over the years, the center has become a true home for many families. Parents first bring their little ones to the kindergarten, then the children continue their studies at the Success School, and now a new generation returns — parents bringing their own children. This continuity says it all: at Matryoshka, they know not only how to teach, but how to nurture with love.
The People Who Make Magic Happen
At the heart of the center is a team of professionals.
Anna Frolova, founder and director, has been setting the tone for over two decades.
Oksana Frolova is the organizer and the soul of the team.
Teachers at the “Success” School:
Leonid Podolsky, a talented teacher with a special approach to children;
Tatiana Dunevskaya, an experienced and caring mentor;
Elena Knyshova, Ph.D., teaches mathematics and leads the after-school program;
Alyona Verniba, an inspiring teacher who first brought her grandson here and then joined the staff herself;
Tatiana Ekstat, a music teacher who opens the world of harmony to children;
Elena Emelianenko, an elementary school teacher and music instructor with a charming voice.
Preschool team:
The center’s special pride is its group of educators.
Natalia Maistrovskaya has been working with 4–6-year-olds for 15 years, teaching them to read and write in Russian.
Svetlana Menshikova and Natalia Istomina lead younger groups while studying at Algonquin College.
Oksana Kutakh successfully combines the roles of teacher and educator — loved by both toddlers and schoolchildren.
New members include Marina Polyakova, Inna Polishchuk, Ksenia Afanasieva, Natalia Kostiv, and volunteer Nina Grankina.
The center wouldn’t be complete without its cooks: Natana Timchenko, who prepares children’s favorite meals, and her assistant Nadezhda Dymma, a kind and supportive colleague.
More Than Education
Today, Matryoshka-Success is more than a school or daycare — it’s a full-fledged cultural center that even includes a Golden Age Club for seniors.
But its greatest treasure remains its people.
Their professionalism, warmth, and creativity make every class special.
Their talent and energy have turned Matryoshka-Success into a true symbol of trust, quality, and family warmth for Ottawa’s Russian-speaking community.