Our Teachers
- Eva Constantin
- Athina Drouvalakis
- Despina Kordila
- Zoi Kefala
- Matina Deligianni
- Penny Kalafataki
- Sofia Petini
- Andromache Spyropoulou
- Filareti Tzalla
- Katerina Vratti
- Tania Zoupanou
- Evgenia Fkiaras
- Chrysa Fytsili



Eva Constantin
Principal & Teacher
Evanthia Beli Constantin is a founding member of Fanari Academy. She is a native of northern Greece, and graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a degree in physical education and specialty in ethnic Greek dance.
Eva taught and directed children’s dance groups in the Greek public school system before moving to California with her family in 2003. She initially taught Greek at the Belmont Holy Cross Greek School, and has been teaching at Fanari Academy since 2006. Her two daughters, now high schoolers, were among the first students at Fanari and achieved certification in Greek language proficiency.



Athina Drouvalakis
Teacher, Grades Pre-K
Athena was born and raised in the Greek community of Melbourne, Australia and Greek was her first language. She has taught at every level, from preschool, elementary, middle, high school, and college/university, in both the private and public sectors.
She has Greek language teaching experience at the preschool and elementary levels, and has tutored middle, high school, and adults. Her focus on the Greek language has been on dialect, grammar, spelling, composition and culture. Coming from a strong academic background with established experience in teaching at all levels, and with great student rapport, she brings a wealth of knowledge, ability, and stimulation for teaching the Greek language.
She believes that each student learns differently and thus tailors her instruction to the needs of each student. Most importantly, she believes that learning should be fun, stimulating, and fruitful is evident in her class dynamics. Greek being her first language and mother tongue, and living the Greek culture.
Since becoming a mother, her passion and commitment to teaching the Greek language have been reinvigorated especially in a community so far from Greece. She strives to share the passion, warmth, inspiration, and education of the Greek language and culture with all learners!
Athena earned a PhD in Medicine from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and completed postdoctoral studies at Stanford University. Professionally, she has worked at start-up companies, a consulting firm, and as an instructor at CSU East Bay and UC Berkeley.



Despina Kordila
Teacher, Grades Kindergarten
Despina was born and lived in Peristeri, Athens, Greece, until she left to study at the University of Ioannina. Prior to moving to the US in 1997, she worked as a kindergarten teacher in Athens. She has worked as a teacher and volunteer in her son’s classrooms since moving to Santa Cruz in 2002. Despina believes every child is special and unique, and learns in a different way and at a different pace. This is a philosophy she brings to her teaching at Fanari.
Despina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Ioannina, Greece. She also received a certificate in “Teaching Greek as a Foreign/Second Language” from the University of the Aegean, Greece.
- Favorite Food: Fish with wild greens.
- Favorite Song: Ταξιδιαρα Ψυχή (Τρύπες) (because every time I listen to it, it takes me back to my college years).
- Favorite Book(s): Το Παραμύθι με τα Χρώματα (Αλεξης Κυριτσόπουλος).
- Fun Fact: "Τσαλακώνομαι'' στο έπακρο.
- Favorite Ancient/Modern Greek Saying: I'll use a lyric from a song: Για ο,τι έχω κάνει δεν μετανιώνω.
- What I love about Fanari: I love Fanari!! Mainly because it gives me the freedom to design my classes and course materials the way I want. I couldn't be anything else but a teacher. I love working with kids! They make you feel like you never grow old!



Zoi Kefala
Teacher
Zoi Kefala is from Argos Orestiko, a small town in the region of Kastoria, in the northwest of Greece, but grew up in Drama, and eventually moved to Thessaloniki, Greece to complete her undergraduate and masters studies in education. She comes from a family that has deep roots in education, which inspired her to pursue a career as a primary school teacher in the Greek public school system, including in Mykonos and Chania, Crete. In the classroom, she emphasizes collaborative group learning, through teamwork, discussion, dynamic role assignment, and interactive exploration of subjects. Beyond being an educator, she is a lover of geography and traveling to diverse destinations, reading books, and staying active through various group workout activities, such as pilates. She recently moved to California in late 2023, and immediately found her way to Fanari to combine her passion for teaching and Greek heritage.
Zoi earned a Masters in Intercultural Education and Bachelor’s in Primary Education from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She recently completed a Masters in Critical Pedagogy from the University of Rethymno.
- Favorite Food: gemista (stuffed vegetables) and pastitsio
- Favorite Song: “Milo gia sena” by Melina Kana
- Favorite Book(s): Anything by children’s book authors Alki Zei, Zorz Sari, and the unique Evgenios Trivizas. Specifically, θησαυρός της Βαγίας by Zorz and Sari, and Το καπλάνι της βιτρίνας by Alki Zei.
- Favorite Saying: Knowledge is power
- What I love about Fanari: Our shared love and collective effort from all of us - children, parents, and educators - to keep our beautiful language alive. There's nothing better than helping children on their journey of knowledge and shaping the citizens of the future.



Matina Deligianni
Director & Teacher, Grade Pre-Kindergarten
Matina is a native of Thessaloniki, Greece, where she was born and raised. Her passion for educating young children was inspired by her own kindergarten teacher, and she carried it forward into a career as a kindergarten teacher, first in the Greek public school system, and now at Fanari. While in Greece, she served two years in a school on the island of Chios, and 3 years in a school in Kavala, where she was also school director. Her love of teaching is driven by the reward of inspiring and empowering others, fostering growth, curiosity, and making a positive impact on the lives of those she has the privilege to teach. Her teaching style is highly interactive and student-centered, driven by the philosophy that students thrive in an engaging and inclusive learning environment where students feel encouraged to actively participate.
Matina moved to California in 2012 and immediately started working as a Greek teacher at Fanari Academy, teaching multiple classes and supporting school activities. In 2013, Matina was nominated to be Fanari’s Director, and obtained the “Routes, teaching Modern Greek as a foreign language” certification. She is also an examiner for the Greek language certification program.
Matina holds a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
- Fun Fact: I'm incredibly competitive, especially when it comes to games. Whether it's board games, sports, or video games, I always bring my A-game and love the thrill of friendly competition.
- Favorite Book(s): "Agelasth Politeia," and anything by the author Evgenios Trivizas.
- Favorite Saying: "Πάντα χαίρε" (Panta Chaire), which translates to "Always Rejoice" or "Always Be Happy."
- What I love about Fanari: I love Fanari for its unique approach—it's a community-driven institution that places a strong emphasis on both education and culture. What sets it apart is its commitment to embracing diversity and celebrating various cultures, creating a rich and inclusive learning environment.



Penny Kalafataki
Teacher, Performing Arts
Penny Kalafataki is a founding member of the Irreversibles – Dream Drama group (Μη Αναστρέψιμοι – Ονειρόδραμα) and has been acting with them since 2004. She has staged many children’s shows for preschoolers and first graders. She has also starred in adult productions such as “In the Shadow of the Daughter”, “The Walking Theory”, and “Suddenly After Summer”.
For many years, she collaborated with the troupe of Nikos Kamtsis and with the Municipal Theater of Korydallos. She was nominated for the second female role award at the Thessaloniki Film Festival in 2001 with the film “The Shadow Game”. She has taught acting, choreography, improvisation and has been a Music Theory professor at a Conservatory.



Sofia Petini
Teacher
Sofia Petini was born and raised in Athens, Greece, and lived there through her early professional career as a designer and specialist in media publications. Prior to moving to California in 2015, she lived in France for five years with her family. Sofia has a deep love for Greek language and culture, and maintains this strong connection through her 8-year tenure teaching at Fanari and with its community, as well as seeking out Greek live music! In the classroom, she loves engaging the arts through various craft projects, and always tries to make children feel comfortable by engaging with them through their own interests.
Sofia studied interior design at AKTO and worked for over eight years in multiple Greek magazines (DOL, Liberis publications).
- Favorite Food: stuffed tomatoes and, of course, souvlaki. And I can never say ‘no’ to a bougatsa and piece of hot galaktompoureko!
- Favorite Children's Book: Anything by the author Ζωρζ Σαρή.
- What I love about Fanari: I love seeing my students improve to the point that they reach their goals, and the connections I make with my students.


Andromachi Spyropoulou
Teacher
Andromachi Spyropoulou was born in Athens, Greece and raised in Tripoli, Arcadia. For over a decade, she practiced law in Athens until moving to San Francisco in 2016. Andromachi began teaching at Fanari in 2019, bringing her deep appreciation for the beauty and richness of the Greek language to her students, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the language and culture. Teaching Greek at Fanari allows her to play a vital role in preserving and passing on the traditions of her homeland to the next generation, while making a positive impact within her community. Through engaging lessons and interactive activities, she instills a love for the Greek language and inspires her students to embrace their heritage with pride, connect with their roots, and celebrate the diversity of the world around them.
Andromachi studied law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, graduating with High Honors. She has been a Contracts Manager at a private company in San Francisco since 2016.



Filareti Tzalla
Teacher
Filareti Tzalla, a Greek native from Thessaloniki, Greece, moved to the Bay Area in 2014, and has been teaching Greek language at Fanari Academy since then. Filareti is a licensed child-adolescent psychologist in Greece and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in CA. While her professional interests are primarily in the field of child and adolescent mental health, she developed a significant interest in combining psychology and education and has been teaching Greek as a second language to kids of all ages and adults since 2014. Filareti is particularly interested in identifying a student’s learning profile and incentives, and has extensive experience counseling students, parents and teachers on study skills, school performance, and other related topics. She is a firm believer that creating a safe, structured and engaging educational environment, that respects the students’ needs and values their interests, is key to facilitating learning and helping students thrive. Drawing from her love and commitment to Fanari Academy, Filareti contributed to opening Fanari’s San Francisco program in 2019. She has been overseeing and coordinating Fanari SF since then.
Filareti is a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) at Compass Family Services in San Francisco, providing behavioral health services to homeless families. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Aristotle University, Thessaloniki and an MSc in Mental Health from King’s College University of London.
- Favorite Food: Whatever my mom makes!
- Favorite Song: I love ""Melisses"" and dancing to their upbeat songs. ""Akrogialies Deilina"" by Tsitsanis and remake by Imam Mpailnti is an all-time classic favorite.
- Favorite Book(s): All of Evgenios Trivizas’s books
- Favorite Saying: "Eάν αποσυνθέσεις την Ελλάδα, στο τέλος θα δεις να σου απομένουν μια ελιά, ένα αμπέλι και ένα καράβι. Που σημαίνει: με άλλα τόσα την ξαναφτιάχνεις". Οδυσσέας Ελύτης
- Fun Fact: I’ve been a belly dancer since a young age and even performed on a Greek TV show
- What I love about Fanari: I am extremely grateful to be part of a wonderful Greek community that works hard to promote the modern Greek language and culture and pass it on to the next generations. Fanari's modern approach to teaching the Greek language and culture, and simply seeing our young students grow and learn from each other is what I love about the school!



Katerina Vratti
Teacher
Aikaterini (Katerina) Vratti is a native of Athens, Greece, where she was a practicing lawyer until she moved to the USA in 2016. Her passion for teaching and love of the Greek language and culture drew her to Fanari soon after she arrived in California. In addition to teaching at Fanari, she leverages her professional experience having run her own law firm specializing in intellectual property, labor, civil and public law in Athens to her current work at a Bay Area law firm.
Katerina graduated from the Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where she also completed postgraduate studies in the field of civil law. Prior to law school, she earned a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences.
- Favorite Food: pastitsio
- Favorite Song: Το Νησί
- Favorite Saying: “Win by persuasion, not by force.”
- What I love about Fanari: Seeing the progress of students, while I learn from and get to know each individual child.



Tania Zoupanou
Teacher
Tania Zoupanou is from the beautiful island of Corfu in Greece, where she was born and raised. She later moved to Thessaloniki to complete her studies in early childhood education and lived there for over a decade thereafter, working with children in a range of environments from daycares, to nannying, to volunteering with a non-profit organization focused on kids and families. Tania has a passion for working with Fanari’s youngest students and has been teaching Greek since moving to the USA in 2019. She loves traveling, reading books, listening to music and exploring the world with her family!
Tania earned a Bachelors in Early Childhood Studies from the Technical University of Thessaloniki, and a Masters in Educational Technology from the University of Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Favorite Food: Pastitsada, a traditional Corfu dish made with pasta and spicy marinara meat sauce.
- Favorite Children's Book(s): Αναποδα: Θοδωρής Παπαιωαννου, Ωχ χταπόδι λάθος πόδι: Αντώνης Παπαθεοδούλου, Το μικρό αγόρι και τα 4 αβγα: Κατρίνα Τσάνταλη, Ο ιπποπόκαμπος: Κατρίνα Τσάνταλη, Κοχυλάκι εσύ δε φταίς: Ομάδα Άγγιγμα και όρια"
- Favorite Saying: Modern with respect to ancient.
- What I love about Fanari: I love how close the staff are to each other, that they have respect for each other, that they are trying to help in every way, and the teachers are really trying their best for kids to learn and understand the Greek language.


Evgenia Fkiaras
Teacher
Evgenia Fkiaras was born and raised in Oregon to Greek immigrant parents from Velventos, Kozani. Her mother taught her to read, write, and acquire native fluency in the Greek language. Evgenia is passionate about teaching and sharing her Greek heritage, first through her love of traditional Greek dance, and starting in 2019, through her Greek language teaching at Fanari. She began performing Greek folk dances at a young age and has competed many times at the annual Folk Dance Festival (FDF), both as a dancer and a director. She is excited that, in addition to teaching Greek language at Fanari during the 2023–2024 school year, she will be co-directing a Greek dance group for children at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in San Francisco.
Evgenia is a practicing attorney specializing in employment law. She earned her JD from the University of Washington School of Law and has practiced law since. Previously, she earned her Masters in Education specializing in second language teaching, and a BA in English and Spanish from the University of Oregon. Importantly, she earned a Certificate of Attainment of Greek (Δ Level) while enrolled at the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain, where she also earned the Diploma of Spanish as a Second Language (Superior Level).