Our staff
Dr. Larisa Tsekhanova
founder, inspirer and principal
Higher education:
Postgraduate doctoral degree at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), PhD in History
Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), MA in International relations, diplomat with the knowledge of foreign languages (English, Spanish, Burmese)
University of London, UK, MA in Economics and Management, Burmese language
Professional retraining – Moscow Academy of Professional Competences, Manager in Education
About me: I grew up in the office of the director of the lyceum, my mother was the founder of one of the first lyceums in Russia in the late 80s of the twentieth century. She is an honored teacher and methodologist of the Russian Federation. Before the birth of my own children, I did not particularly plan to engage myself in pedagogy, plunging into Burmese studies, but, apparently, it is in my blood … The first teaching experience was while I was doing my PhD at MGIMO, then there was the tutoring experience at the University of London. It turned out that I enjoyed teaching. When my own children started a well-known primary school in London, I began to delve into the essence of British primary education. After relocating to Moscow, I decided to create my own school. Recently, quite by accident, in a conversation with a numerologist, I found out that my number is 11 and means “teacher, mentor”.
Keith Lord
Сlass Teacher of Year 1/2
Teaching experience: 20 years
Tutoring experience: 10 years
During my time as a qualified teacher, I have thoroughly enjoyed my ongoing career, which started in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. My time spend volunteering in Welsh schools, during my educational degree, helped me understand the diverse and challenging nature of teaching.
I hold two degrees in Education with English from Cardiff University and Business with management from Winchester University. Upon completing my degree, I moved to Moscow in 2013 and have since, been working as a freelance teacher for children of all ages and levels. Because of my flexibility with clients’ ages and levels, it has helped me greatly in adapting my teaching methods to both individuals and group environments.
When working in British schools, I worked in both primary and secondary schools and tutoring businesses. I encountered a wide range of children from different backgrounds, languages and learning requirements.
My interests outside of school, are running, keeping fit in the gym, cycling, walking and cooking. I also have an interest in reading, writing and poetry. The theatre and arts are also highly enjoyable forms of entertainment.
I am both highly privileged and lucky enough to enjoy my job. The main reason I decided to change my career to teaching was to make a difference in people’s lives. The aim to pass on your knowledge is a very rewarding one and it gives you a certain level of pride. I have found the experience of being a teacher a very humbling and rewarding one.
Riverside School wishes to offer the same level of excellence and commitment, and for that I highly enjoy working for them.
Mr. Bart
Year 3/4 Class Teacher
I hold a masters degree in teaching from the University of South Africa, as well as masters degree in music from the University of Pretoria, and a teaching diploma in English from ITTT.
Before relocating to Moscow, I taught at several private schools in Pretoria, South Africa. Upon completing an additional postgraduate diploma in piano at the Moscow Conservatory, I continued my teaching career here as an English teacher and primary teacher. During my career I found out that learning/teaching a language and learning/teaching music is similar in approach as both deal with acquiring a skill set.
My interests include going to the gym, reading, travelling and, seeing as I grew up in South Africa, nature.
Teaching experience: 12 years
Tutoring experience: 3 years
Мистер Барт, учитель Year 3/4
Preston Pigneri
Year 5/6 Class Teacher
In New Zealand, I completed my educational degree and a postgraduate qualification at Otago and Auckland Universities, respectively. At Otago University, I also was a part-time tutor, employed by the university. I then completed three more teaching qualifications: Adult Education, Primary School Teaching, and the Cambridge CELTA at different times during my teaching career.
In my lessons students are engaged because my lessons are fun and conversational. The heart of my lessons is to conclude with discussion in small groups. This means the students leave the lesson more confident to engage in English conversation on any subject. At the beginning of my lesson, I start with eliciting the background knowledge of the students to encourage and equip them for new learning and conversational understanding of the subjects. In my lessons, students do at least 70% of the talking, with my supervision and feedback on their communication.
Teaching experience: 7 years
Tutoring experience: 10 years
Miss Oksana
ESL teacher, RSL teacher, teacher of English, Russian language and literature
Education: University Degree in teaching: philologist, teacher of German and English
Professional development programme: Russian language teacher
Postgraduate course:
Arizona State University – TESOL (Second Language Listening, Speaking, and Pronunciation)
Arizona State University – TESOL (Second Language Reading, Writing, and Grammar)
University of London Institute of Education – Teaching ESL Reading: A Task Based Approach (TBLA)
“Development of communication skills in teaching English at the primary, secondary and senior stages of education in terms of the Federal State Educational Standard 2022”
Pedagogical experience: 5 years
Tutoring experience: 15 years
Teaching philosophy: “To teach a child is to create conditions for him to fully master his own abilities.”
About me: love, kindness, patience – these are the qualities that help me in my work. I try to instill in children not only a love for the language, but for the learning process in general.
