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Member Profiles
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Greetings, Bonjour, and Dobru den to all my wonderful Zontian sisters! I
am Gail Kozhevnikov and have enjoyed being a member of this fabulous
organization since some time in the early 80s. There was absolutely no
question that I would become a member of this most important service
organization. I had not only the greatest professional mentors that a young
university student could hope to have, I also had two of the most devoted
Zontian women directing my career and my civic contribution as a woman who
has a voice and resources to make a difference for all women in this world.
You see two of the most influential women in my life were and are Dr.
Monique Amerman (my former French professor) and Anna Taussig (my former
Russian professor). As a student and a work study employee in the language
department at what was then the University of Southern Colorado, I was
tapped to get involved in the activities of the Pueblo chapter and upon
moving to Colorado Springs transferred my membership here.
I like so many of you love to help others, love learning languages
and traveling the world. I have been a teacher of French and Russian for
over 20+ years in such cosmopolitan places as Wyoming, Kansas, Florence
(Colorado that is) and for most of that time at Academy School District 20
here in beautiful Colorado Springs. I have also taught abroad in Africa,
France, Russia, and Kazakhstan. I currently am an Assistant Principal at
Pine Creek High School after a three year stint in Human Resources. I
would have never dreamed that this is what I would be doing, but I am
working diligently to be a respected role model for both teenagers and
teachers alike. Although my job is at times challenging and frustrating, I
feel so fortunate to have a great life filled with unexpected opportunities
and joys.
Upon one of my many overseas travels and international youth camp
experiences, I met the absolute international man of my dreams in
Kazakhstan, Pavel Grigorivich, my now "Americanized" husband. He too is an
educator; one of those who is greatly admired and makes a huge difference
for many of his students. He teaches World History and of course Russian
at Mitchell high school and he is the Russian program at UCCS and PPCC. We
are fortunate that both of Pavel's children have immigrated to the US and
live in Colorado Springs. Roman (Roma to us) is a college student and an
American citizen by choice. Yelena (Lena) is married to a former Army man
who is now approaching the conclusion of a year's private contract in Iraq.
We are so happy that our little Russian family is near.
at
2000 District Conference
Pavel and I love to travel to Russian and Kazakhstan each summer to visit our beloved, extended Russian family and we sponsor an international trip every other summer for students and adults. This June, we look forward to exploring France, Spain, Monaco, Italy, and Greece. It's not to late to join if you get the travel itch!
My biggest regret in the recent past is my inability to be a vital, active member of Zonta forging wonderful, meaningful relationships with all of you! My UCCS class is always scheduled during our meeting time on Mondays and as I'm learning, this Assistant Principal position leaves little time for any rest. The youth of today have so many, varied activities which all require the talents, coordination, and sponsorship of the generous adults who devote their time to enable them to pursue their passions!
I consider membership in Zonta a true privilege and love the window of opportunity it opens to me to become a better citizen of my own neighborhood and in this world at large. It is awesome to be in the company of like minded women who devote themselves to all that is good and kind!