Natalie Tzobanakis
I am an experienced religious educator, certified by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, with over fourteen years of experience as a Church School instructor and coordinator in Union, New Jersey. My background also includes years of working as a freelance designer and teacher of Greek as a second language. Additionally, I have had the privilege of serving on the team developing the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese’s new curriculum (Early Elementary levels B & C.)
Recognizing the scarcity of specifically Orthodox, age-appropriate teaching materials for young children, I decided in 2016 to draw on my diverse education and skills to create teaching tools that complement the official Church curricula. This led to the creation of Orthodox Pebbles, to which I now devote the majority of my professional time.
I was born in the United States and spent most of my life in Athens, Greece. I first studied medicine before pursuing graphic design, illustration, and Byzantine iconography. I later earned a B.A. in Greek Civilization Studies and received the official Greek state certification for teaching Greek as a second or foreign language.
Since 2012, I have lived in New Jersey with my husband, George, and our three children. Crafting, reading, cooking, and baking have been favorite pastimes since childhood, and I especially enjoy entertaining guests Greek-style—with abundant food and leisurely conversation. I also love planning and organizing Orthodox-focused youth workshops centered around art and cooking. I am deeply grateful for the life and many blessings we have found in America, while my dream of one day returning to my beloved Greece remains very much alive.
Find me online:
- Homeschooling blog, where I recorded my experience teaching Greek History to my own children (in Greek).
- Personal blog, where I wrote about my transition from Greece to the U.S. (in Greek).
Despina Lachanaris
Born and raised in Athens, and with origin from the beautiful island of Chios, I have been living in New Jersey since 2003. I currently work as a full-time teaching assistant both in regular and special education classrooms at the Madison School District. I am wife to Andreas, and mother to Myrsine and Nicholas.
I feel grateful to teach Sunday School at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Union, New Jersey, an experience that has allowed me to channel my longtime passion for religious education. I am also fortunate to contribute to Orthodox Pebbles as a researcher and writer. I hold a B.A. in Statistics and Actuarial Studies and have previously worked as an administrative assistant, bookkeeper, and business software analyst. In my free time, I enjoy reading, painting, hiking, and getting together with friends over a cup of coffee—or even tea.
