Board of Directors

Mark
Eilers

Term: 2024-2027
Community Member
Chair of the Board
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Mark’s extensive educational and professional background lays in the area of Building Engineering and Management.  As a community leader, Mark has experience serving on a charter school board in a capacity of a treasurer and a Board chair.   He was instrumental in helping another charter school recover from administrational mistakes and rebuild its fund balance.  Mark’s passion for the charter schools comes from a firm believe that charter school environment is very important as an alternative to the traditional public schools. Mark has joined the Nasha Shkola board in June of 2016 and served as a treasurer.   He has helped Nasha Shkola to deal with the challenges, stabilize and grow.

Natalya
Johnson

Term: 2023-2026
Teacher
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Natalya Johnson is a dedicated second-grade teacher at Nasha Shkola and a valued member of the school’s leadership team. Born in Moscow, Russia, Natalya moved to the United States at the age of eight and brings a unique bicultural perspective to her work as an educator. She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and, in 2025, earned her Education Specialist degree and completed the K–12 Principal Licensure program through Southwest Minnesota State University.

Since joining Nasha Shkola, Natalya has played a key role in advancing academic improvement efforts and increasing student engagement. She recently became the coordinator of the VPK preschool program, further expanding her leadership within the school. Her strong leadership, instructional insight, and deep commitment to student success make her an integral part of Nasha Shkola’s continuous improvement work.

Natalya aspires to become a charter school leader and views her service on the school board as an important step in that journey. Reflecting on her experience, she shares: “Serving on the school board has provided me with an opportunity to be part of a team that looks to further build the school. Helping to provide input in navigating the school to continual success is a rewarding experience.”

Peter
Keller

Term: 2025-2028
Parent
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Peter Keller is a Police Sergeant with a Master’s Degree in Public Safety Executive Leadership. In his leadership role, he supervises staff, oversees operations, and manages executive responsibilities within his department. Throughout his law enforcement career, Peter has worked closely with schools to support safe learning environments and build positive relationships with students and educators. At Nasha Shkola, he has played a vital role in developing the school’s emergency plan and supporting annual staff preparedness training.

A Russian language speaker from an immigrant family, Peter is deeply connected to the Russian-speaking community and frequently assists in bridging communication gaps and addressing community needs. As a parent, he is passionate about the importance of Russian language and cultural education—not just for his own child, but for students of all backgrounds.
Peter returns to the Nasha Shkola School Board as a parent representative, continuing his strong and reliable involvement in the school community.

Lydia
Tonoyan

Term: 2024-2026
Parent
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Lydia is a researcher and a prospect manager for a fundraising team at the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, a non-profit working with the population facing homelessness. In addition, she is a project manager for the Communications and Marketing Department at the Mission. Lydia is serving on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (Apra)-Minnesota Chapter, and on a Membership Committee of the Apra-International. She has been serving as a Sunday School/Children’s Programs Director at Saint Sahag Armenian Church, Saint Paul, for 10 years. In addition, Lydia teaches life skills class for women and children at the recovery center in Saint Paul. Lydia would like to contribute her skills and education to enhance the academic and social experience of children in Nasha Shkola. As a parent of a student, she is deeply invested in the quality of education and the overall success of the school.