Mirjana Marjerski
Administrator and Receptionist: Born in Bosnia & Herzegovina
Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, former Yugoslavia. Moved to England in 1993 due to the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the war I realised my passion for helping others and wished to pursue that as a career in the future. That wish was fulfilled when I started working at Nova in 2007 and I hope to continue for many years to come.
Conor Fitzpatrick
Children’s Maths Tutor: Born in Belfast
Born in Belfast in the 80’s at the tail end of the troubles, but thankfully grew up in peaceful times. I am a sport, music and Maths enthusiast. I have spent my adult life travelling and teaching in different places around the world including, England, Ghana, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Canada and now settled in Scotland.
Kertrina Little
Children’s Maths Tutor: Born in Reading
Born in Reading, to Hong Kong parents. Wanted to explore my heritage after university, so decided to work in Hong Kong as a teacher. Moved to London after, now settled in Brighton and love being close to the sea.
Max de Lotbiniere
English Tutor (Adults): Born in London
Born more than half a century ago within walking distance of Nova, I have ventured further afield, but not for long. If you stay still in these parts, the world seems to come to you. My main trade has been journalism, but I took up Esol teaching a decade ago, was taken on by Nova and have been here ever since.
Tasnima Uddin
IAG Advisor: Born in London
Born in 1996, grew up in a working-class Bangladeshi household in. Both my parents were born in Bangladesh and came to the UK after surviving the 1971 Bangladeshi genocide. Neither of my parents had any access to higher education. My Bangladeshi heritage is one that reminds me of resistance and community. I have extensive experience in working with marginalised communities, including the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. I have a background in grassroots activism and organising.
Marija Mirazic
Enrichment and Family Support Manager: Born in Serbia
Born in Serbia, Yugoslavia. In London since 1997. Moved to North Kensington in 2012 and found Nova. In my mother tongue, the word Nova means New. Nova brought New Opportunities to me - just like it says in its name.
Matthew Barnett
Children & Young People’s Programme Coordinator: Born in Germany
Born in Germany, to English and Welsh Parents, after an unsettled start I eventually spent my formative years in Yorkshire. My working class family did a fantastic job of instilling their values of decency, solidarity and compassion for others. They inspired me to take chances and not limit myself, encouraging me to follow a more unconventional – and unlikely - career in the arts and eventually make my way down South to the big city to chase my dreams! I’ve now been settled in London for over 20 years and a little prouder every day to be a small part of our diverse and vibrant community.
Katya Elina
Head of Services: Born in Leningrad
Born and raised in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia, to a family with many generations of educators. While studying mathematics at university, fell in love with teaching and have been working in education ever since. London has been my home for the past 20 years - its diversity and bustle remind me of my home city.
Pauline McKittrick
Children’s Tutor: Born in Liverpool
I guess you could say I'm a lifelong learning, single parent, step parent, Sister, whose experience rich and into Recovery of all types; a late flowering coach/teacher history-freak on a mission to catch up; who cooks, travels, dances, reads, swims and meditates [but not all at the same time]; European of Irish descent, via Liverpool, Edinburgh, Chester, Wigan, Shrewsbury, Prague, Venice, Spain and all things Spanish; but only if you really have to put a label on me - and as I'm constantly evolving I may well be different tomorrow… :)
Fiona Clark
Children’s Tutor: Born in Tyneside
Born in 1975 to parents from two separate Scottish clans (the McGhees and the Wallaces), I grew up on the aptly named Scotch Estate in Jarrow, north-east of England. As a child, I toured almost all of Scotland with my parents, even the far-flung isles, during every school holiday. After attending universities in Sunderland, Nottingham and Pennsylvania and after teaching for several years in Surrey, I eventually moved back to the north-east and back to my roots, and married a descendant of the Campbell clan!