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.
Kiana Rendon
English Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher
Languages: English, American Sign Language
Kiana is a dedicated and inclusive educator currently teaching K–8 English Language Arts, with a background in AP Human Geography, World History, Financial Literacy, Social Emotional Learning, and Social Studies. Kiana has been teaching grades K-12 for over 5 years and is known for creating inclusive, student-centered classrooms that prioritize academic growth, literacy development, and meaningful engagement. Kiana has experience in curriculum development, mentoring, and supporting diverse learners through differentiated instruction. She has been recognized as a Teacher of the Year nominee and holds certifications in AVID, Gifted and Talented, Dyslexia, and Special Education. Her classrooms are built on care, creativity, and meaningful engagement with the world.
Notable achievements: Teacher of the Year 24'-25' nominee; curriculum planning leader for 10th-grade history; AP course instruction; development of student-centered classroom systems and instructional resources; active participation in school leadership, event planning, and professional learning communities
Christal Ganesan
Science teacher
Languages: English
Christal is a dedicated Science Teacher with over 5 years of teaching experience and a strong academic background in science education. I hold a B.Sc. in Science and a B.Ed. in Biology Education, and I am currently completing my M.Sc. in Science to further strengthen my subject expertise. I am passionate about creating engaging, student-centered lessons that promote critical thinking and curiosity in the classroom. I continuously pursue professional development opportunities to enhance instructional strategies, integrate technology, and support diverse learners.
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
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.
Laura Ibbotson
Mathematics Teacher, Researcher
Languages: English
I've spent my career helping students from k-8 realize math is so much more than just numbers on a page! I love finding ways to connect classroom concepts to the world around us using hands-on projects and technology. Whether we're building models or solving digital puzzles, I strive to make math inclusive, engaging, and possible for everyone. I am grateful for the opportunity to inspire a new generation of problem-solvers!
Bachelor's in Elementary Education and Mathematics, Master's in Mathematics both from University of Northern Colorado, Douglas County School District Apple Award Winner
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.
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.
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.
Galina Parakhnevich
Kindergarten Educator
Languages: Russian, English
Coming Soon
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.