Natalya Levina
Position: Russian Teacher
School: Staten Island Technical High School
School District: New York City Department of Education, District 31
City, State: Staten Island, NY
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Natalya Levina was nominated by her student, Gabriela Serebryanaya.
"In my sophomore year of high school, my Russian teacher, Mrs. Levina, urged me to join her after-school cultural clubs. With an already full schedule of AP assignments, SAT studying, and dance practice after school, I hesitantly decided to join two of her four clubs: Jewish and Russian," said Serebryanaya. "The main focus of these clubs was to create and learn traditional cultural dances in preparation for our school’s multicultural show in February. After the first lesson, my mindset evolved from 'Why am I here?' to 'Hmm, this actually looks like a lot of fun!' Day after day, I grew to love not only what I was doing in these clubs, which expanded far beyond simply learning choreographed dance steps, but the people I was with. I met some of my closest friends in these clubs, but beyond that, learned a great deal more than I first anticipated."
Mrs. Levina does not simply choreograph dances and teach her students the steps. In fact, Serebryanaya states that if this had been the case, she probably would not have continued attending. With each movement and beat of music comes a lesson. Mrs. Levina teaches students the significance behind each note and subsequent dance move. She teaches students the culture that supersedes the notion of a simple routine. After each club meeting, her students have not only learned a series of steps, but they've also learned about different cultures, countries, historical events, and about varying groups of people. She teaches students that part of being a well-rounded person means respecting the vast array of people around the world and having an open and inclusive mindset.
"These clubs were not just an extracurricular activity that I could add to my resume, but had become one of the defining aspects of my life. As I do with most engaging activities, I immersed myself in these clubs to the point where every waking moment, I was thinking and evaluating what I had learned in the previous meeting, analyzing information and connecting it to current and historical events in the real world," said Serebryanaya. "In fact, I became so interested in what I was learning that I attended meetings of clubs that I was not even involved in just to learn more about cultures. I began coming to Mrs. Levina’s classroom every day just to hear her speak at meetings about cultures like Kavkaz and Ukrainian, while teaching various cultural dances the 'lezginka' and 'hopak.'"
"I realized that with each day, I was evolving into a more cultured, well-rounded person. I approached the world in a new way and began to make connections in my mind about cultural traditions," Serebryanaya continued. "I began to appreciate each individual’s characteristics because I understood the origins of such noble traits. I was able to have conversations with more people from diverse backgrounds, comprehend certain cultural jargon, and broaden my perspective of the world. Mrs. Levina seemed to have somehow known that this deep love for culture was buried within me, and she was determined to dig it out. She always initiated such engaging conversations ranging from war and politics to food and music, and never failed to instill a new cultural value in me before every time we said '?? ????????,' which means 'goodbye' in Russian, to each other.
"In addition to learning new ideas and concepts, I also was able to practice my Russian language skills beyond mere grammatical guidelines," Serebryanaya concluded. "Mrs. Levina encouraged me to have a much deeper, closer relationship with my grandparents without any language barriers limiting us. She became so much more to me than a teacher; she became a role model, and even a friend that I could always count on to have a conversation with. She helped me find my true inner self and sparked my desire to continue learning about my background beyond my time in high school."
All aboard!! We are going to Russia!!
This is how I feel when I walk through Mrs. Levina’s class room door. I am a Paraprofessional at SI Tech H. S. I have been doubly blessed by having Mrs. Levina as my students teacher last year and now this year.
Mrs. Levina has a great gift for teaching. In her class room it is as though you can touch, breath, and eat Russian. We are truly blessed to have her here at Tech.
In my life alone, the name "Natalya Levina" has always been to me the name of my mother, a hard working woman who takes pride the results of the work she dedicates herself to, however that's only me, but as for the hundreds of young minds that have sat in her classroom, the name "Natalya Levina" takes on a whole new meaning for them. Growing up, I got to see the many classrooms she has taught, and if this this award nomination is anything to go by, then she certainly has made a tremendous impact on each one. There is simply no one else who is as willing to put their heart and soul into sharing a culture that many American highschoolers would never know about, had they not stepped foot into my mothers classroom, and then when they leave it, they leave with new found appreciations for the culture of Russia. So due to this, there is simply no one else that I believe deserves this award more then my mother; "Natalya Levina".
Natalya Levina, my wife, is the kind of teacher alumnus never forget. They come to visit her after they graduated not only at school, but also at our house. They could spend hours talking and remembering favorite moments and events. They always say: “It was good times!” I think her phenomenon is that she gives heart and soul to her students. Such teachers are never forgotten.
Natalya Levina is a great teacher. She knows her subject very well, it was always interesting in her class, because she had an unusual and creative approach. We did not just read Dostoevsky's novel “Crime and Punishment”. The class was divided into prosecutors, defense attorneys, and witnesses. The jury were students who never read the novel. For them, it was a real trial. Here is another example of a creative teaching approach. Can you imagine a trip to the country with a name Grammar? Each grammar case of the Russian language is a separate state with its own laws (grammar rules). In our school, Natalya Levina organized a drama theater. We performed plays of Russian classical literature. Natalya Levina is a teacher I will never forget.
Natalya Levina is an unforgettable teacher!! When I come to see her multi cultural shows, they are unbelievable. She puts so much heart and knowledge of culture into every dance she creates. Seeing a smile and enjoyment in the students faces is priceless. I came into Natalyas family over 10 years ago and she welcomed me with open arms . She helped me plan my wedding, and the way she produced and created my love story is impeccable, people still remember until this day. Once I had a pleasure to take a Paris trip with Natalya, the way she knew history and Louvre museum was amazing. She took me into each room of the museum and in details explained it’s history. It was unforgettable! Natalya Levina deserves this award because she is a teacher, friend, relative you want to always learn from !!
I am lucky enough and blessed to call Natalya Levina my aunt. Reading all the amazing comments from her students and their parents about her dedication to her work is incredible and heart warming, but not surprising. Ever since I was young, Natalya always had a beautiful big heart and loved to make all the children of all ages in our family to feel loved and a part of something. She would help organize grand holiday parties and games for all of us with costumes and skits and prizes. This reminds me of the way students are commenting about her shows and clubs at school. Most importantly, it was and is all done from the bottom of her heart. I have had friends who also later went to Staten Island Tech who always raved to me about her before they even knew we were related. I have never been her student, but as her niece I know her heart and the dedication she puts into anything she sets her mind on. I could not think of someone better for this honor of Lifechanger!
Natalya Levina of Staten Island Technical High school, (NY) is a teacher not from his time! She has an uncanny ability to take any material and make it alive and fascinating for her students. Through the help of tech advances and creative ingenuity, Natalya immerses her students in the vibrant world of language, literature, human understanding and its inter-connectedness. Natalya does not simply teach grammar and conjugation, but raises her students knowledge and comprehension so that they are able to speak freely and appreciate the necessity and beauty of foreign language. she takes the foreign out of a different culture and allows you to travel to a foreign destination within the comfort of your classroom in your own hometown. her dedication to her students success in incomparable and worthy of the highest accolades. Growing up the daughter of a teacher not only afforded me a rich and well rounded education but provided a positive example of what being a role model is. Her tireless efforts to expand horizons of not only her family and students stretches to those around her. She is always ready with interesting facts that leave you entranced and curious for self inspection. Natalya teaches through her personal love of history, literature and language to think critically and expansively. For years I have watched her guide countless youth in classrooms, as a director of the various theater clubs she organized with students, and as a personal confidant to grateful students. Everyone vote for this sensational teacher
It goes without saying that a teacher who gives their time, effort, patience, money, and devotion to something will create students that will become great people. Mrs. Natalya Levina’s devotion to our schools Russian Language program makes her worthy of this accolade. Though my son was never in her class, he partook in the Russian and Jewish culture clubs that. I think Mrs.Levina is certainly worth this nomination given her ability to keep students coming back to work with her year after year. It will be something that Ill miss seeing next year.
-Zhanna Liberchuk mother of Ariel Liberchuk ‘19
When I first came into Ms. Levina’s “Native Russian” class freshman year, I had no idea what would be in store for me. I always knew my family was “Russian,” but we never spoke it at home. I knew next to nothing coming in. A class centered around speaking another language was beyond a nightmare. I grew up with (and still have) a speech impediment. I couldn’t speak English well, forget Russian. I remember getting a 32 on an exam that I didn’t have time to finish half of. Language wise, I was a lost cause. Three years of middle school Spanish yielded a 59 on my proficiency exam. My freshman year, I spent countless hours with both Ms. Levina and my mom, learning the language of my ancestors. By the end of my first semester sophomore year, students who were far better at Russian than me were asking me for help.
Thankfully, Ms. Levina graded mostly on the determination of her students. Ms. Levina’s determination to her students’ learning and developing always matched or exceeded the determination of each of her students. Thankfully, I spent hours with Ms. Levina countless hours reviewing with Ms. Levina for future examinations after school and did far better. It didn’t dawn to me until far later the amount of sacrifice she had made. She had her own family at home and chose to spend her evenings with her students to help them when she could’ve called it a day.
Ms. Levina’s true passion is teaching, and she understands that teaching goes beyond lecturing. She was always there for each and every student, not easy feat considering she had upwards of 150 of them. Current students and seniors, who had completed their three years of Russian, always came to her classroom during lunch to enjoy her company. She was willing to talk to every student who was willing to talk to her. Her knowledge goes far beyond the Russian language, and she taught me and many others about ourselves.
I was also a part of Ms. Levina’s “Russian dance” troupe. This was also no easy task, being that I could neither dance nor speak Russian when I first joined. She connected me with a culture that surrounded me, but of which I was never a part of. My grandmother described her annual show as one as she could never have imagined seeing outside of Russia. Additionally, Ms. Levina gave me a love for languages that continues to this day. A love for languages that has me taking Portuguese and German in college, even as an engineering student. I still am not one for words, but Ms. Levina truly did impact me far more than any teacher I have had.
One of my most embarrassing moments in high school was when I accidentally called Ms. Levina “mom.” Ms. Levina, ever the jokester, responded by calling me her son. Looking back, it may have been a Freudian slip. Afterall, humor is truth said in jest.
Mrs. Levina’s enthusiasm and excitement for teaching has stuck with me to this day. Before entering high school, I knew nothing about Russian language or culture. In Mrs. Levina’s class, I grew a love and appreciation for Russian. Mrs. Levina made learning Russian a fun experience, including the performance of songs in front of the class like “Soldat” and the celebration of Russian holidays, including my favorite—- blinis on Maslinitsa.
One day after class, Mrs. Levina recruited me to join the Russian dance team. Although I was the only non-native speaker on the team, Mrs. Levina made me feel very welcome and encouraged my participation in the dance. Thank you for making a little part of me uniquely Russian, Mrs. Levina!
I'm so lucky to have had Mrs. Levina as my Russian teacher in high school. She was one of the most passionate teachers I've ever had in my life, her classes really made my high school experience that much more memorable and enjoyable. From her classes I learned more about the Russian language, my family's roots, and history in general. Her passion and caring nature was contagious, it never felt that her class was just another class I had to trudge through. It was a community, a family, a place where students can learn and grow to not only become better Russian speakers, but to also become better people.
I am so thankful to have had such an inspiring teacher, I wish all teachers were as talented, passionate, and caring as Mrs. Levina. I am sure she will continue to inspire students and help them become the best versions of themselves they can be.
Mrs. Levina felt more like a mother to me more than a teacher. She was someone who genuinely cared about your growth and your success. She noticed the slightest improvements in your Russian speaking skills and these tiniest achievements would made her entire day. Mrs. Levina was in charge of three after school clubs: I had the honor of being president of all of them at some point during high school. Mrs. Levina would sit with me for hours, until as late as 8PM (school starts at 7:45AM) after school every day to choreograph dances, find the best music, and create costumes from scratch. She would go out and spend her own money to make us the most realistic, traditional costumes she possibly could. She was entirely dedicated to her students. On days we couldn't practice in school, she'd invite us to her house, cook for us, and allow us to practice in her basement. More than that, she was an advisor, someone you could go to when there was no one else to talk to. She was very much my home away from home. She has teaching in her bones and puts the love for her students above all else. Truly one of a kind. I could not even begin to imagine what high school would have been like without her.
[email protected] Nataliya Semenovna! Your are by far the most ideal teacher that one can ever hope to meet. You gave to our children not only an excellent education, but you also shared a part of your soul with them. You made them fall in love with the Russian language, literature, songs and movie classics. It is entirely attributed to your efforts that our children have something that most immigrant families and their children do not have: an appreciation and love for their roots. But most importantly, our children know what it means to be a true friend and to have true friends. Thank YOU for everything .
Mrs.Levina's class was always the highlight of my day in high school. Throughout my three years as her student, she taught me to understand and appreciate my heritage through literature, culture, music, art, history, and language. More importantly, she cared about and supported her students more than any teacher that I've ever had. Of all the teachers that I've had throughout my years in the NYC public school system, I am by far the most thankful for Mrs.Levina.
Dear Mrs.Levina, thank you for being an amazing, inspiring teacher and a caring, kind and understanding human being. My son was very fortunate to be in your class. Thank you for giving him a gift of loving Russian language and literature, as well as having fond classroom memories that he will cherish throughout his life’s journey.
Being of parent of SITHS Class of 2017 student and having Mrs Levina as my daughter's native Russian class teacher for 3 years, I can say that Mrs Levina is Amazing teacher and much much more.
Mrs Levina created that special atmosphere for kids to learn not just Russian language but culture and history and many more aspects of life.
My daughter was coming home after school and was asking me questions like "Mom, is it true ...? Wow interesting". She was finding out about her parents life and she was amazed how different it is from hers and it is all because of Mrs Levina.
It was not easy for my daughter to be in native Russian class since she came to that country 2 years old and we were concerned about her learning English and absolutely did not do anything about keeping her Russian language.
She could not read or write and she could barely speak Russian.
But, she stayed in that class, and she did very good at the end.
I attribute my daughter's current interest in Russian literature and language to her being in Mrs Levina native Russian class during high school. Definitely life changing teacher and she highly deserves to be nominated and receive that award.
One of the most important and life-changing figures in my education. An incredibly dedicated teacher who opened my mind to new ideas and some of my closest friendships by cultivating such a warm, mutually supportive, and intellectually stimulating environment in class. I’m so thankful to Ms. Levina for helping put me on the path to my current career in international relations by giving me the skills and the confidence to persevere onwards — no doubt, a great deal of what I’ve accomplished as a student at Rice and Cambridge is part of her educational legacy as well.
If there was ever a true natural born teacher and a mentor, it is Ms. Levina. We were blessed to have her as a Russian teacher for our middle son, and currently - for our youngest. She knows each and every of her students’ strengths and weaknesses and always makes sure the students apply themselves to the best of their abilities. Have you seen a high school teacher who is always available not just to help with the homework, but to patiently sit with a student and go over a song or a poem multiple times, as a parent would do? In her Russian class, she creates a unique family-like environment fostering friendships and achieving academic and creative excellence together as a team. Besides being the most engaging, motivating, encouraging and entertaining subject teacher, she is a creator of several ethnic dance, vocal, music and drama clubs where students of different backgrounds bond over orchestrating the most amazing performances. While serving as a choreographer, director, and producer simultaneously, Ms. Levina manages to teach Russian language, history and culture via the most creative and rewarding means - through performance arts, poems, songs, dances and pieces of classical literature. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she somehow makes each and every student, no matter the experience, feel like a professional performer, and act as one too! If ever was the teacher who made high school years bright and unforgettable and changed the lifes of students and their families in the most profound ways, it is her. The Tech is a big family itself, but “Ms. Levina’ students “ is indeed a very special category, “ a family within the family” with strong bonds that will transcend beyond school years and will endure for students’ lifetimes. Ms. Levina teaches many languages, Russian language being just one of them. She also teaches the languages of dance, song and music, creativity and self-expression, cultural intelligence and art appreciation, but most importantly, she teaches the most universal of all - Language of Love.
Ms. Levina is my absolute favorite SITech teacher! Thank you so much, Natalia Semenovna, for the love to Russian language and the Russian and Jewish culture you gave and keep giving to my sons! My older son has already graduated from the High School, but he continues taking Russian language and culture classes at his University, thanks to this teacher.
Well deserved! She's an amazing woman and role model to all with a kind heart as well! She's a wonderful colleague that our students are lucky to have.
