Avrora Moussorlieva
Social Studies
Avrora has a degree in history from the Sofia University and Master of Liberal Studies program from the University of Minnesota. She holds a teaching license from the state of Minnesota. She has been a museum educator in the National Museum of History in Sofia and the Bell Museum of Natural History for twelve years. Since 1999 when she arrived in the U.S.A. she has given numerous presentations on Bulgarian history, geography and traditions in the Minnesota schools. Avrora enjoys interacting with children and helping them learn and she is happy to see them succeed.
Mariya Radeva
Bulgarian Language and Literature
Mariya grew up in Plovdiv- the second biggest and oldest city ( 6000 years old) in Bulgaria. She used to work as a Vice Principal in one of the biggest schools in her home town. She is interested in Bulgarian language, literature and culture, Art, Education, Technologies, Management and Sports. As a teacher of the advanced groups in the Bulgarian school in Minnesota her focus is to build strong Bulgarian language skills in her students. In addition to that she is helping them to develop an understanding and unconditional love for the Bulgarian culture in general. As current member of the Board of the Directors of the Bulgarian school in Minnesota she is playing active role in decision making and executing all the school activities.
Mariana (Toteva) Castanon
Bulgarian Language and Literature
Mariana was born in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria and spent the first 16 years of her life in Yambol, Bulgaria before immigrating to the United States with her parents in the summer of 1999. Mariana obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education Degree from St. Cloud State University and her Master’s of Education Degree from Hamline University. She holds a Minnesota teaching license in Elementary Education, grades K-5 and Middle School English license, grades 5-8; she is currently teaching at Stillwater Public Schools as a 6th grade English teacher. Mariana embraces diversity and children's ability to learn variety of languages, if exposed to them at early age. Her marriage to a non Bulgarian speaker of Mexican heritage, broadens her understanding and experience of raising children in a multilingual household, which motivated Mariana’s passion for teaching the multilingual Bulgarian School group. Mariana is the current Bulgarian School Board Secretary and an active member of the Bulgarian community of Minnesota.
Bistra Zheleva
Bulgarian Language and Literature
Bistra grew up in Varna, Bulgaria and has lived in the Twin Cities since 2001. Although without formal teaching credentials, she’s been enthusiastically teaching the youngest group of students, ages 3 to 5, since the school opened doors in 2009. Bistra has always had an appreciation for language learning and enjoys passing on her love for Bulgarian language and culture to her young students. The focus of her classroom work is on developing Bulgarian language skills and vocabulary through a variety of activities, including games, stories, songs and art. Bistra is a parent of two, both students in the school. When she’s not teaching, she leads the international programs at a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization.
Svetlana Karayotova
Bulgarian Language and Literature
Svetlana was born in Rousse, where she completed High School with Bulgarian language and History. She moves to the United States in 2006. The great love for Bulgarian language and culture makes her enroll her two daughters to the Bulgarian school, so they can learn her native language. Since 2015, Svetlana teaches kids aged 5 to 7 yrs, to read and write Bulgarian language.
Zornitsa Keremidchieva
Bulgarian Language and Literature
Zornitsa Keremidchieva's teaching career spans more than 20 years. She holds a PhD in Communication Studies. At our school she teaches Bulgarian language classes for children whose primary language is English. Her teaching approach is multi-modal and multi-sensory as she develops her students' reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension skills. When they come to class, students can expect to be engaged in hands-on, interactive, and varied activities that sustain their interest and relate to their lives.
Elena Momtcheva
Bulgarian Folklore Dance
Elena grew up in Sliven, a town with long history in the Northern Thrace region of Bulgaria. She grew up in a family of musicians, singers and dancers. She was a little girl when she started dancing and performing to multiple events in her country. Since 2012, Elena starts teaching kids and adults in the USA the magic of Bulgarian folklore, trying to keep the Bulgarian folklore music and traditions alive.
Rada Kolarova
Bulgarian Language and Literature
Rada Kolarova was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. Her favorite things to do in her home country are to hike, scavenge for fruit and herbs in the forest, and people-watching at the National Palace of Culture. She is a recent graduate from the University of Minnesota and enjoys singing, reading, and being outdoors. She is very excited to assist Zornitsa in Group 5 with the “Star Fruit” class this year!