Our Staff
Nadia Yokarini-Kotsonis
Principal
Hi my name is Nadia Yokarini-Kotsonis and I was born and raised in Greece. I was born in Drama but moved to Athens when I was 10 years old. I lived and studied there until I graduated College. A few years after I graduated college I moved to the United States in 2005. I graduated from National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece with concentration in: Social Theology, Philosophy and Psychology. I’m proficient in English with a certificate from the University of Michigan. I was teaching in a private institution for 4 years in Greece the modern Greek language for adults and children.
I started teaching in the Greek Language School of Columbus in 2012 modern Greek covering the necessary basics for comprehending the verbal, oral, and written Greek language using the curriculum of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of USA. After 4 years of teaching I transitioned to the Academic Principal position for our Greek Language School.
My mission is for the children and adults that join our school to learn the language, our culture and heritage in a fun way so they can pass it on in generations ahead.
Joanna Tsitroulis
Teacher
Hello Annunciation Families! Χαίρετε! My name is Joanna Tsitroulis and I am so looking forward to joining the Greek Language School team this Fall. After three decades in education, one can see teaching is a passion of mine. I have taught French and Greek for several years, but my main certification is in the Education of the Handicapped K-12. It is currently my honor and blessing to work with students who have a variety of needs in Circleville, Ohio. Circleville is also where I live with my son Andreas, 20, and my daughter Efthimia, soon to be 18. It is hard to believe they were dedicated in this very church two decades ago! I am originally from Montreal, Canada where most of my family still lives. My parents emigrated to Canada from villages in Lakonia (Μολάοι) and Messinia (Ακριτοχώρι). Speaking Greek, English and French fluently means sharing language is something I enjoy with all ages and I know we will have a fantastic year together!
Katerina Alden
Teacher
Hi, my name is Katerina Alden, and I am a rising junior at Ohio State. I am currently studying Sociology and Modern Greek language on the Pre-Law track. Growing up, I spoke both Greek and English at home while attending Greek School at Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Now, as a Greek School Teacher myself, I love being able to help my students reconnect with their ancestral language and culture. I am so excited to continue teaching during the 2024-2025 school year!
Elena Lioudis
Teacher
My name is Elena Lioudis. I just finished my second year at Ohio State University, where I am majoring in Microbiology and Modern Greek with a minor in Molecular Genetics. For the past five years, I have tutored students in various subjects, and began teaching the youngest class at Greek School this year. I grew up attending Greek school in Cleveland, and am excited to be able to share the language with all of the children.
Breanna Little
Teacher
I am Breanna Little! I am from Columbus, Ohio, and attend college here at Ohio State. I am a senior majoring in English and Modern Greek. I grew up in a mixed-heritage household, so I know Greek from my childhood, and now I continue that in my studies at Ohio State. I taught for half of the last Greek school year, and I am excited to teach again full-time in the fall!
Maya Kompella
Wednesday Teacher (K-1st)
Born and raised in California, I pursued my undergraduate studies at Northwestern University, where I majored in biomedical engineering and creative writing—a combination that reflects both my analytical mind and love for storytelling. I’m currently a second-year MFA candidate in creative writing at Ohio State University, with a focus in poetry.
My teaching journey has been deeply rewarding. I’ve worked with students from PreK through college, including a year as a teaching assistant in a Chicago public school. Over the past few years, I’ve tutored middle and high school students and volunteered in various youth programs—one of my favorites was an after-school cooking class I helped lead during college.
My connection to Greece comes through my mother’s side of the family. She grew up in the Peloponnese and Athens, studied in Thessaloniki, and later moved to the U.S. My sister and I were raised speaking Greek at home, attending Greek school (where our mom taught!) through sixth grade, and spending nearly every summer visiting family in Greece.
One of my most cherished memories is visiting our grandfather’s χωριό in the mountains—running through the hills with our cousins, surrounded by the sounds, smells, and spirit of a place that always felt like home.
My mother’s commitment to keeping us connected to her homeland has shaped who I am. I’m excited to pass that same sense of belonging, pride, and cultural appreciation on to the next generation of Greek Americans—especially during those formative years when identity and language take root.
Tenia Kalogeropoulou
Beginner Adult Teacher
Γεια σας! My name is Tenia Kalogeropoulou.
I am excited to join the Greek School this year and teach the beginner adult class.
My family and I recently moved from Minnesota, so looking forward to getting to know Columbus.
I am originally from Greece. I was born and raised in Athens. After finishing high school, I moved to England to attend college and medical school. I was in England for about 9 years. After completing my studies, I came to the U.S in 2002 for further training and specialization.
I am passionate about teaching Greek. I have a 13 year old son and 11 year old daughter and I understand the difficulties of learning Greek and the importance of connecting with Greek culture. I have taught Greek to both children and adults while in Minnesota and excited to become part of the community.
Athan Vouzianas
Advanced Adult Teacher
My mission – To “create for good” in our community by solving problems with my knowledge and skills. And to enable myself and the people I interact with to become disciplined, synthesizing, creating, respectful, and ethical citizens using transformative teaching and learning.
What I Do – I teach mathematics, physics, and engineering with a passion for liberal arts and social responsibility to students in higher education. I also teach Greek to adult students. I find the continuity of the Greek language from its ancient to modern forms to be intriguing to my students. In class I combine my knowledge of ancient Greek and fluency in modern Greek, with the scientific and the engineering design processes to create an immersive teaching & learning experience for my students and I.
I keep reminding myself – not all things I know I learned in school; the world was built on imagination, inquiry, and creativity – not on data and statistical analyses; then came data, which (sometimes) enables imagination, inquiry, and creativity.
My motto – if you want to be successful, tie what you do with something bigger.