My full name is Tatyana Alexandrovna Zharova-Smitherman, but everyone calls me Mrs. Tatyana. I teach K-3 class at St. James.  I was born in Russia, graduated from Dnipro State University in Ukraine with degrees in Biochemistry and Psychology.  I have worked with children over 28 years, having spent my last 10 years as a toddler teacher and director's assistant at a Chattanooga daycare, before beginning at St. James.   Currently I am working on an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. I have a very small family here in the United States--my husband, daughter, dog, and cat. My parents live in Ukraine. My hobbies are hiking, gardening, learning about different cultures, and collecting cards and international dolls. I love to volunteer and spent years volunteering for public schools in TN, Youth Orchestra of Chattanooga, and at a TN food pantry and animal shelter.