Born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, Diana earned her bachelor’s degree in Geography and History from Alexandria University. In 2003, she moved with her family to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she pursued her passion for education by earning a certificate in Early Childhood Development from the state of North Carolina.

Since 2005, Diana has been a dedicated educator within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), bringing nearly two decades of classroom experience. She also has two years of specialized experience as a lead teacher in both Montessori and Reggio Emilia settings, where she embraced child-centered, exploratory learning.

In addition to her work in schools, Diana has served as a pre- and kindergarten Sunday School teacher at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church since 2012, helping children grow in faith and character.

Diana believes that teaching is more than a profession—it is a calling. Watching her students light up with understanding and joy reminds her why she chose this path. She sees each child as a little plant, nurtured with kindness, faith, education, and inspiration. Her mission is to create a world where love and compassion shape learning, and where curiosity leads to growth.

Passionate about extending learning beyond the classroom, Diana is committed to connecting students to their communities and the wider world. As a lifelong educator, she strives to inspire children to discover not just knowledge—but themselves.

Email Diana at diana@thestsophiaschool.org

Madison Richardson joins our faculty as an Upper Elementary teacher after ten years working with students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She holds a double major in Biology and Religious Studies from the Honors College at the University of South Carolina, where she was deeply inspired by the opportunity to take interdisciplinary, Socratic-style classes. Her professional background includes mentoring 3rd-5th graders through Girls on the Run, tutoring high school math and science students, and teaching 7th grade science and AP and Honors Biology/ Chemistry. She has spent the past four years working at Charlotte Country Day School and is eager to bring her expertise to the St. Sophia School. 

Throughout her career, Madison has been recognized for her ability to build strong relationships with students and promote thoughtful, student-centered learning. She has designed interdisciplinary projects that blend science with the humanities, created curriculum maps to support inquiry-based instruction across a school district, and led professional development on effective teaching strategies. She looks forward to fostering an environment that balances structure and independence, where students are free to wonder, work hard, and grow in virtue. 

Ever a lifelong learner, Madison can often be found preparing for a monthly reading group or discussing philosophy and science with her husband. She enjoys strategy board games, eating chocolate, playing tennis, and watching her 1-year-old son discover the natural world.

Email Madison at madison@thestsophiaschool.org

Born in Charlotte, NC, brought up in Athens, Greece, and returning to the U.S. later to begin her college studies as a young adult, Anastasia Holevas encountered two very different cultures, broadened her perspective, and gained an appreciation for the beauty and complexity of human expression.

Studying various foreign languages over the course of her life, namely Modern Greek, English, French, Ancient Greek, Latin, German, Spanish, and currently Italian led her to pursue a career that would allow her to share her love of learning with young and old alike. Anastasia obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Magna Cum Laude, and secondary certification for grades 9 -12 from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She earned a certificate in teaching Modern Greek as a second/foreign language through the 9-month online “Diadromes” program offered by the Center for the Greek Language in Thessaloniki, Greece. 

She has taught the Greek language to children and adults since 1991 in private and group settings. She has served as a director and teacher at the St. Nektarios Greek Language School in Charlotte, NC for 6 years in the past and currently since 2023. Previously she was a teacher at the Holy Trinity Greek Afternoon School and a teacher at the Holy Trinity Preschool in Charlotte, NC. She has developed and led interdisciplinary summer Greek language camps promoting the Orthodox Christian faith and the Hellenic language and culture for elementary-age children through multimodal activities at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral and St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, NC. Continuing her education by reviewing research on educational issues, especially in foreign language methodology, and seeking ways to enhance her teaching and positively impact students' learning is a favorite pastime of hers.

Anastasia believes that foreign languages are passports to our world. One can never know where life might lead him/her. She is a living testament to that. Anastasia aims to empower learners, help them identify their strengths, and increase their intrinsic motivation through engaging and creative lessons. Teaching at St. Sophia School will be very rewarding to her because it will allow her to transfer her passion and enthusiasm for learning foreign languages to children. When she is not teaching, she enjoys reading, writing, gardening, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her husband and son.

Email Anastasia at anastasia@thestsophiaschool.org

Nino Japaridze Vashakidze is deeply committed to childcare and education, with extensive experience that includes serving as a Lead Teacher at COS KIDS and a Catechism Teacher at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church Sunday School. She is dedicated to fostering a supportive and holistic learning environment, especially one rooted in Greek Orthodox values, which aligns perfectly with our school’s mission.

Originally from the Republic of Georgia, Nino’s background is enriched by her country’s rich Orthodox Christian history, dating back to the 4th century. This heritage deeply influences her values and commitment to education.

In addition to her professional background, Nino is a proud mother of three. Her eldest has graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill, and her two younger children are set to graduate from NC State. Raising and educating her own children has given her invaluable insights and profound empathy, which she brings into her role as an educator.

Nino is committed to contributing to the success of St. Sophia School and nurturing the development of young learners. We look forward to having her as part of our wonderful community and supporting our students’ growth and achievements.

Email Nino at nino@thestsophiaschool.org

Soumaya was born and raised at the heart of the Mediterranean Sea in Tunis, Tunisia, in a family of educators. After spending a year as an exchange student during high school here in Charlotte, Soumaya returned to Tunis. This experience was a milestone that allowed her to compare and contrast the different education systems around the world. 

Determined to pursue her higher education in the States, Soumaya returned to North Carolina and obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology, magna cum laude. Soumaya is fluent in French and Arabic and is passionate about science, poetry, and history. She has been a laboratory scientist for almost 3 years and has also served as the Sunday School Director at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral for the past 2 years. Her devotion for education and languages, along with her scientific background, has paved the way for her call to join our St. Sophia family.