Welcome parents and students!

My name is Tatyana (Tanya) Acton. This is my 8th year as an EL teacher at Hillside Elementary, and I am very excited to be back! My husband and I have been living in Broadlands for the past 18 years, and our two daughters grew up here. Our older daughter is a senior at VA Tech, and the younger one is a sophomore at UVA. Prior to college, we had been Mill Run, Eagle Ridge and Briar Woods parents for the past 12 years. As a result, I have experienced firsthand the academic excellence, the passion and the community that defines schools in the area! 

My prior teaching experience includes being an EL teacher at Mill Run and at Rolling Ridge Elementary, and teaching at Virginia Academy in Ashburn. My college degree is in teaching foreign languages, and I also have two Master's degrees - an MBA from San Jose State University in San Jose, CA, and a Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University. When I am not teaching, I enjoy traveling with my family, reading, cooking and taking yoga classes. 

This is going to be an exciting year full of new friendships, challenges, learning, inspiration, creativity, and fun. There is so much to look forward to, and I am thrilled to be your child's EL Teacher!

Please feel free to email me with any questions

Welcome, Hillside Elementary Parents and Students!

My name is Mrs. Michenko, and I consider myself lucky to be teaching at Hillside. My teaching career as an EL teacher started in 2004, and I have been enjoying it ever since. I am licensed to teach in three states: Virginia, Maryland, and Tennessee. 

I have a Bachelor of Education degree equivalent in Pedagogy/Teaching of English and German as a Foreign Language from the Sakhalin State University in Russia. I have also obtained both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degrees from the University of Memphis in Tennessee.

Having been an English learner myself helps me to better understand and support my students' needs.

I am looking forward to working with your children this school year!

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please email me.