About Us

The journey of Nostos

Nostos Hellenic Academy was born from the lifelong love and dedicated vision of Maria Kyriakantonaki-Bakola for the Greek language and culture. Drawing upon her deep Cretan roots and extensive experience in the Boston area, including her impactful leadership at Saint Nectarios Greek School in Roslindale, Maria envisioned a learning environment that transcends geographical boundaries through engaging online education.

Recognizing the profound value of direct interaction, Nostos Hellenic Academy is also proud to offer enriching in-person classes right here in the Boston area, providing a traditional and immersive learning experience for local students. Inspired by her own 'nostos' – her deep connection to Greece – and recognizing the need for continued Greek education for students of all ages and backgrounds, Maria's goal remains the same: to create a vibrant web of Hellenism, a space where all students can feel deeply connected to the beauty and significance of the Greek language and culture, regardless of their chosen learning format.

The goal of Nostos Hellenic Academy is to guide each student on their unique 'nostos' – their personal journey home to the Greek language – tailored to their specific needs and aspirations.

To create a vibrant web of Hellenism, connecting individuals from all walks of life to the beauty and depth of Greek language and culture, a vision embodied by the academy's lifelong dedication to Hellenic education and its unwavering belief in the power of effective and personalized learning.

Maria's own personal 'Nostos' – her deep connection to her homeland, Greece, and the enduring pull of its language and culture – served as a powerful inspiration in building this academy.

It is this personal yearning and love for her heritage that she hopes to share with every student at Nostos Hellenic Academy.

Our Teaching Philosophy

From Root to Bridge – The Holistic Acquisition of Greek

Success in teaching Greek as a heritage language requires a methodology that blends the warmth of heritage with the rigorous structure of knowledge. Our approach is holistic and based on three distinct, yet interconnected, phases:

  1. The Roots (The Experiential Starting Point): Every lesson begins by establishing an emotional connection (the "Root"). Through experiential learning and the TPR (Total Physical Response) method, children are introduced to new vocabulary and grammar rules not as abstract concepts, but as living actions (e.g., "I jump," "I run," "I am happy"). This phase builds excitement and fosters the functional use of the language.

  2. The Growth (The Cultural Project): At the core of the lesson, the language grows around a cultural theme (e.g., Greek Easter, the olive harvest, ancient monuments). Through interactive projects, discussions, and role-playing—all adapted for the online environment—children cultivate their speaking skills and connect the language to their identity and traditions.

  3. The Bridge (The Written Consolidation): To conclude the lesson, the Bridge connects the experience to the structure. We utilize approved, systematic writing materials to transition the experiential knowledge into organized written skills. This phase ensures the correct learning of the alphabet, spelling, and grammar, firmly consolidating the knowledge acquired in the previous phases.

Through these three phases—Roots, Growth, Bridge—we ensure holistic acquisition: children love, understand, and use Greek with confidence and emotional depth.

Parents as Allies and Guides

The success of our method depends directly on our partnership with the family. In our educational model, parents are not passive observers; they become active teammates in the learning process.

We empower parents by providing them with specific tools and weekly assignments: clear instructions on how to integrate new vocabulary into the daily routine at home, and cultural missions that transform the house into a "Greek Center." In this way, the classroom extends into the home, strengthening the language not just as a subject, but as a vibrant and cherished part of family life.

Our Teachers

  • A smiling woman with wavy blonde hair, wearing a white blazer and a gold chain necklace, posing against a light gray background.

    Maria Kyriakantonaki-Bakola

    Diector, GSL Instructor

    The visionary Director of Nostos Hellenic Academy, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to Hellenic education.

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  • A woman with long dark hair wearing a yellow sweater standing in front of white shelves with boxes.

    Afroditi Falierou

    GSL Instructor

    is a student in the Business Administration program at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business in New York. Concurrently, she is pursuing studies in the Department of Primary Education at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

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  • Close-up portrait of a smiling woman with blonde hair, light skin, wearing a nose ring, earrings, and a leather jacket.

    Amalia Chaidouti

    GSL Instructor

    Amalia Chaidouti is a native Greek from Thessaloniki and now lives in Boston.

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  • Kelly Polychroniou

    GSL Instructor

    Kelly Polychroniou is the Head of the Modern Greek Language Program and a Master Lecturer at Boston University.

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