FACULTY and STAFF BIOGRAPHIES – 2009.2010

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FACULTY
DAYCARE/ECE CENTRE TEACHERS
GRADE SCHOOL TEACHERS
GRADE SCHOOL SPECIALTY TEACHERS
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

The ECE teacher is the model for the child in meaningful movements, in purposeful use of language and in the cultivation of beauty. The Waldorf ECE Teacher is a specially trained individual who, through rhythm, repetition and reverence, is able to create a wholesome environment that nurtures the physical, emotional, social and spiritual development of each child.  

Lucia Amaral – Daycare Supervisor

Lucia has worked as a pre-school teacher for fourteen years and worked for part of that time as assistant supervisor.  She holds her ECE diploma from George Brown College and has completed two years at Ryerson towards her B.A. in Early Childhood Education.  Lucia is the mother of two boys and has been fortunate to spend the last few years at home with them.  She appreciates animals and has a lizard, two cats, a fish and rabbit living with her.  Lucia has a life long love for learning and looks forward to embracing the Waldorf curriculum which is close to her heart.  We are pleased to welcome her back to our faculty this year.

Sabine Berleth – Skygarden Playschool Nursery Teacher

Sabine was born in Germany, where she lived until her move to Toronto in 1998.  She holds degrees as a medical-technical laboratory assistant (MTLA) from the University of Tuebingen and a Biology diploma (M.Sc. equivalent) from the University of Freiburg.  After her three children were born she became interested in anthroposophy and Waldorf education.  She began to attend courses, workshops and home schooling conferences.  In 2002 she co-founded a “Waldorf-initiative” kindergarten, called Gaia School, which she co-organized until 2005, while simultaneously working on a Waldorf-inspired family drop-in centre.  Her children are now in grades two, five and seven at the AHWS where Sabine has been active as a class representative, handwork volunteer and supply teacher in the ECE.  She successfully completed her Early Childhood Waldorf Teacher training at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in 2008 and we are pleased to have Sabine on our faculty as the Nursery Playschool Teacher.

Shi Ching Yu – Rainbow Garden Nursery Assistant Teacher; Asian Studies Teacher

Shi-Ching first heard about Waldorf Education in 1994 at an ECE Conference while living in Taiwan.  Over the years she has eagerly read many of Steiner’s lectures and books educating herself about Waldorf education.  In 2003 she finished her Foundation studies in Taiwan before moving to Toronto to complete her Teacher Training in Early Childhood Education at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in 2008.  Shi-Ching brings over 20 years of experience in education having worked as an Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education and Child and Youth Welfare in Taiwan.  She has also worked as a language teacher and school counselor.  Shi-Ching is the mother of two boys and brings much experience, warmth and creativity to the position.

Bozena Ciepielewski – Sungarden Kindergarten Teacher

Bozena returns to lead the Sungarden after serving as the Lead Playschool Teacher and Grade One Teacher Assistant as well as the Teacher Development Manager for AHWS in 2005-2007.  After several years of Kindergarten teaching, Bozena took time to stay home when her daughter arrived and taught our Parent and Tot Morning Garden programme.  She rejoined AHWS in September 2003 as a Kindergarten Assistant Teacher and was Lead Teacher of the Sungarden Kindergarten in 2004.  She has extensive experience teaching young children at AHWS, the London Waldorf School and the Toronto Waldorf School.  She holds an E.C.E. from both her native Poland and from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario (1996).  She also has her Waldorf Teacher Training Certificate from the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Toronto. Bozena brings a beautiful singing voice and gentle presence to her experience and education in child development to create a wonderful environment for learning.   

Katherine Fulford – Stargarden Kindergarten Teacher

Katherine joined AHWS in January 2006 as an Assistant Teacher in the Stargarden Kindergarten. Before joining AHWS, she was a substitute teacher at the Toronto Waldorf School and the Ottawa Waldorf School working with students in primary and secondary grades. She is a graduate of the Teacher Training Programme at the Rudolph Steiner Centre in Toronto. While attending the University of Guelph for International Development, Katherine co-developed and taught an environmental studies program for primary students (Grades One to Four) and developed a drama programme for Grades Five to Six at the Elms Community School in Toronto. Katherine has had a life long interest in working with special needs children and has worked in a variety of settings (home care, specialty schools, and Camphill) as well as a fascination with alternative medicine with a specific focus in herbal medicine and yoga.  She recently finished courses in herbal medicine and hopes to continue with further studies. Katherine’s passion for being with children, discussing philosophy, exploring nature, salsa dancing and knitting make her a welcome addition to the Star- garden.

Diana Miklos – Rainbow Garden Nursery Teacher

Diana Miklos has taught at Alan Howard Waldorf School since 1987, contributing in the beginning as a Kindergarten and Nursery Assistant Teacher, then as the Lead Teacher in the Rainbow Garden Nursery. Diana served for many years as the Chair of the Early Childhood Section and also as the school’s representative for the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America.  Diana is the director and founder of The Oxford School of Art, Music and Theatre/ Theatre as a Metaphor.  Diana designed and directed the After School Programme for AHWS in previous years.  She received her Waldorf training while working at AHWS and participated in many Waldorf courses and workshops in Canada and USA.  Diana trained in theatre at the “School of Performing Arts”, in Bucharest, Romania and graduated from Ryerson University (Theatre School) in 1987.  In 1988 she joined the Angel Wing Puppet Theatre and helped design and present Waldorf puppet shows at many public libraries in Toronto. Diana’s great warmth and eye for beauty create a truly welcoming experience for young children.

Ina Poulsen – Skygarden Playschool Nursery Assistant Teacher

Ina joins us from Denmark where she completed her M.A. in Early Childhood Education at the Rudolf Steiner Teacher training College in Charlottenlund from 2003 to 2006.  She has worked as an Assistant Kindergarten Teacher in Denmark and assisted in both the Kindergarten and Grade Three class at the AHWS as well as in the ECE Centre.  She brings much warmth and creativity to the children.

Janet Brock – Parent and Child Teacher

Janet Brock has a B.A. from Brock University and has worked in a variety of capacities with young children.  She has been a drama workshop facilitator for young adults, taught a summer arts program and worked extensively with children in theatre groups.  In 1996 she completed her Waldorf Teacher Training program with the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Thornhill and since then has worked with the Lakeshore Waldorf Kindergarten as a Kindergarten assistant and the Willow School as a lead Kindergarten Teacher.  She worked for several years at AHWS as a substitute teacher, Kindergarten teacher and class teacher.  Janet left for a few years to start her own family.  This year Janet will be the lead teacher in the Parent and Child Programme.

Florentina Cotop – Early Childcare Teacher

Florentina completed her three year Waldorf teacher training Bucharest and completed one year of practical and theory in Manheim, Germany in 2001.  She joined AHWS in 2001, as a Nursery Assistant Teacher and later as a Grade One Assistant and Kindergarten Assistant until 2005 when she moved with her family to Montreal.  Since then she has completed her B.A. in Child Studies at Concordia University.  She brings with her a strong dedication to the Waldorf curriculum and we are pleased to welcome her back in her role with the ECE Centre.  Her hobbies include painting, puppetry, sewing, baking and many outdoor activities.

Lisa Gibson – Early Childcare Teacher

Lisa has worked at the AHWS since 1997 as a Nursery Assistant Teacher and  a Kindergarten Assistant Teacher.  She also directed the Junior Nursery Programme, an Afternoon Programme for the Lower Grade School, co-teacher with the parent and tot program on Saturdays and a number of day camps offered at AHWS. She is in the process of completing her E.C.E. training, and has attended numerous conferences and workshops on early childhood Waldorf pedagogy over the years.

Lisa will be taking up a lead position in our new Early Learning Centre this fall.

Prior to teaching, she has a diploma in the fashion apparel industry in which she had worked for thirteen years.  Lisa shares her warmth, calm presence and skills with children and parents alike.

Melina Marin – Early Childcare Assistant Teacher

After completing her Foundation Studies and Waldorf Teacher Training Programme in 2007 at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Toronto she decided to explore the west and took a Kindergarten Assistant position at the Calgary Waldorf School.  She also worked as a Preschool/Nursery Assistant during that year.  In the past, she has worked in child care settings and substitute teaching in Kindergarten. She holds a Teaching Degree from Argentina and is currently working toward completing her ECE Ontario certification.  She is passionately immersed in the journey of education, fostering a deep sense of reverence and responsibility for life. She enjoys reading philosophy, yoga, knitting, sewing, crafts, making clothes, woodworking and exploring nature.

Lissa Rousselet – Early Childcare Assistant Teacher

 
The Class Teacher

Children learn best if they love their teacher. When children enter Grade 1 in the Waldorf School, they meet the person, who ideally, will teach them the core curriculum for the next eight years. The relationship between teacher and child is constantly evolving and deepening, and provides a continuity often lacking today. Mutual trust and confidence allows the development of an authority that is not arbitrary and to which children respond without aggression or resentment. In this way, parents and teachers can work together over long periods of time, orchestrating their efforts to meet the changing needs of the child.

Ena Bruce – Grade One Teacher

When Ena started as the Grade One Teacher in 2004 at AHWS, she brought with her over twenty-two years of Waldorf experience.  She worked as a Kindergarten Teacher at AHWS, the Toronto Waldorf School and the Edge Hill Country Waldorf School as well as an administrator at the Toronto Waldorf School.  She received her Waldorf Teacher Training Certificate from the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Toronto in 1996, and her Waldorf Early Childhood Certificate from the Waldorf Institute in 1982.  She holds a certificate in Drama from Queen’s University and a certificate in Curative Education from Mercy College.  Ena’s knowledge and gift for storytelling make her a valued member of the AHWS faculty.  She will inspire and nurture the Grade One class in 2009.2010.

Dean Husseini – Grade Two Teacher

Dean joins us from the Chicago Waldorf School where he was a class teacher for the five years.  Dean joined AHWS as the Grade One teacher in 2008. He completed his teacher training at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Thornhill in 2003 and his Foundation studies in 2002.  He also holds an M.A. in Holistic and Aesthetic Education, and a B.A. in History from the University of Toronto.  His passion for teacher began in 1998 when he assisted at Highview Elementary School in the grade three class, and continued in 2000 at Deer Park Elementary school where he was an educator of the Peace curriculum for grades five and six.  Dean’s extracurricular activities included being an active member of the College of Teachers, Board of Trustees committee, and other committees at the Chicago Waldorf School.

Krisinda Valenciuk – Grade Three Teacher

Krisinda Valenciuk joined AHWS as the Grade One Teacher in 2003.  She received her Waldorf Teacher Training certificate earlier in 2003 at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Toronto.  She also completed Foundation Studies at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Toronto as well as the Foundation Studies and Child Development Programme in Maine.  During her stay in Maine, she assisted in the implementation of a Middle School Programme.  In 1995 she graduated from the Fashion Arts and Business Promotion Programme at Humber College. Krisinda has a creative and open mind, with a keen aesthetic eye and a dramatic flair that makes the curriculum come alive for the children.  Krisinda took over the Grade Two class early in 2009 and will continue with this class in Grade Three.

Bruce MacKenzie – Grade Four Teacher

Robert Teuwen – Grade Five Teacher, Woodwork Teacher

Robert joined AHWS in 1994 as a class teacher and has graduated Grade Eight classes in 1999, 2002, 2006 and 2009. He was home schooled following the Waldorf curriculum.  He rejoined his original class for high school, graduating in 1984 from The Toronto Waldorf School.  Robert went on to obtain a degree in Physics and Philosophy at the University of Toronto.  In 1993 he became the Grade Eight class teacher at The Toronto Waldorf School.  Truly gifted at inspiring individual development in children, Robert’s passion for science, the environment, and sailing on the open seas are irresistibly engaging for all students.  This year Robert will turn his attention to the Grade Five class.

Karanvir Singh – Grade Six Teacher

Karanvir graduated from the Waldorf teacher training program at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in 2008 at which time he joined the AHWS as the Grade One class assistant. In November of 2007 Karanvir received his Bachelor of Fine Art at the OCAD University in Toronto, Ontario.  Karanvir grew up in India on his grandparent’s farm and moved to Canada in 1988 with his parents. Growing up in Mississauga he developed a great interest in visual arts, education and sports. In his early education he was part of a student core group selected to act as substitutes for high school teachers. He also coached hockey for six years with children ranging from four to twelve years old and is an avid soccer player.  Karanvir has brought his experiences to the school as an educational assistant and now looks forward to being the 2009.2010 Grade Six teacher.

Paula Rosa – Grade Seven Teacher, Physical Education and Extra-curricular Sports Coach

Paula joined the school in 1996 as an Assistant Kindergarten Teacher and since January, 2001 has been a class teacher in the Grade School.  In addition, Paula has taken an active coaching role in the Middle School volleyball and basketball sports program. Paula Rosa earned her B.A. in 1984 from the University of Toronto in History and Linguistics.  In 1996 she added a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education from the University of Toronto.  Paula graduated her first Grade Eight class in 2008, of which many students had been with her since Kindergarten.  With a love of music and a gift for inspiring healthy physical activity, Paula creates a wonderful educational experience for children.

Gregg Robins – Grade Eight Teacher

After a brief sojourn teaching in the public school system, Gregg returned to teach Grade Four at AHWS in 2005. He spent four years as the Curative Specialist at the Toronto Waldorf School before becoming a class teacher making the journey from Grade One through Grade Five with the same class. Gregg then joined AHWS in 1993.  After receiving his BA from the University of Toronto, he took the two year Waldorf Teacher Training course at Emerson College in England.  During his time in England he became particularly interested in children with special needs so he trained an additional third year in Curative Education at the Waldorf Institute in Detroit.  With his experience and training, Gregg is a Mentor for Lower School teachers and Art teachers at AHWS.  His classroom is an eclectic, beautiful environment where the curriculum is brought to life through his talent for song, rhyme, drama, art and puppetry. This year Gregg will conclude the journey with his Grade Eight class.

Lesley Moffitt – Grade One Assistant

Lesley holds a diploma in social work and a certificate in crisis intervention with children.   In this capacity she has worked primarily in therapeutic settings with children.  Leslie designed and implemented the biodynamic gardening program at the Toronto Waldorf School over a three year period and has worked with all the grades.  She has studied the Grade One to Twelve biodynamic gardening program at Sunbridge College in Spring Valley, NY based on Steiner’s pedagogical principles and was a member of the Toronto Waldorf School Therapeutic Circle.  Last year at AHWS Leslie assisted Karen Smith in the Grade Three class and this year she will assist Ena Bruce in the Grade One class.

Sheila Anderson-Masse – French and English Teacher

Sheila Anderson-Massé received her B.A. in 1984 after studying English, Philosophy and Film at the University of Toronto.  While in Paris, France, Sheila earned her Masters in Comparative Literature.  In 1992, Sheila added a Teacher’s Training Certificate after which she became a High School Teacher of English and French.  In 1997, Sheila traveled back to France with her family where she became very involved with Waldorf education.  Upon her return to Toronto in 2002, Sheila taught English and French to AHWS Middle School students.  Sheila was a Grade School teacher for a little over two years at AHWS as well.  Sheila also works as the Teacher Development Manager, and sits on the Manager’s Circle.

Jennifer Betty – French Teacher

Jennifer joined our school in 2001 as a French teacher.  In 1990 she received a B.A. majoring in both French and Physical and Health Education and subsequently in 1992 her B. Ed. from Queen’s University.  She also holds a Certificate in foreign language teaching from WICE in Paris, France.  Jennifer also has a diploma in reflexology and is also a qualified Yoga teacher.  She has an extensive teaching background working with both adults and children in a variety of settings.

Peg Evans – Music Teacher

Peg Evans has a rich and varied background as a teacher and musician.  She has a Bachelor of Music Degree (Music Performance) from the University of Alberta and a B. Ed. degree from Brock University.  Following her formal education, Peg taught in a wide variety of settings both in vocal technique and performance and sang as a soloist.  She is currently a member of the Canadian Opera Company Chorus.  She also conducted postgraduate training at the Banff Centre for the Arts and has attended several conferences in Waldorf music education.

Stacey Greger – Eurythmy Teacher and Extra Curricular Sports Coach

Stacey Greger teaches Eurythmy from the Kindergarten through Grade Eight.  She joined the Alan Howard Waldorf School in 1993 after completing her Eurythmy studies at the Eurythmy School, Peredur Centre for the Arts in Sussex, England.  Before studying Eurythmy, she spent one year as an Assistant in the Nursery Programme at the Rudolf Steiner School in New York City.  In 1986 she obtained her B.S. degree in Education from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.  Stacey rejoined us in 2004 after a one-year leave of absence, which she spent at the Nelson Waldorf School in Nelson, BC.  She has also recently completed her course work at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto where she trained as a therapist and group facilitator.  Stacey currently serves as the Social Health and Discipline Manager and in the past has been a faculty chair, long standing Board Representative, and member of the HR committee.  She has also happily served as basketball coach for the Middle School girls sports teams.

Janet Hendershot – Therapeutic/Remedial Teacher

Janet joined the Faculty eight years ago as our Curative/Remedial teacher.   In addition to work based on The Extra Lesson which is done with individual children and small groups of children, she is involved with the reading programme for Grades Two, Three, and Four and may work academically with small groups of students from higher grades. She assesses children as they enter the school to contribute to knowledge about the best way to support a student’s education.  She received her B.A. in Fine Arts from York University. Prior to this she had received her Teacher’s Training Certificate for Public School and is currently a member of the Ontario College of Teachers qualified to teach Kindergarten through Grade Ten. She completed the Foundation Studies at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Toronto in 1989; completed Level One, Reading from the University of Toronto in 1990; received a Diploma in curative/remedial education from the Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento, California in 1996; and completed Level One, Special Education from York University in 2005.  At AHWS, Janet also serves as the Student Assessment Manager, and sits on the Manager’s Circle.

Ryan McCombe – Sports Coach, Music/Eurythmy Accompanist, Events Coordinator

A talented musician, coach and events organizer, Ryan has been at AHWS for four years and will be continuing his role in our Development Committee in addition to his other duties.  With a great sense of humour and a gift for inspiring children, Ryan plays a significant role in community music and has helped to transform extracurricular sports at AHWS. He is also the Eurythmy accompanist.  Ryan cares for and organizes our German Volunteers ensuring they have a wonderful experience at our school.

Margot Turner – Handwork and German Teacher

Margot joined AHWS in September 1995 as the German Specialist. In 2005 she became the Grade Seven Teacher while continuing to teach Handwork and German to Grade School children at AHWS.  Margot Turner studied English, Geography and Economics at the Pedagogical Academy in Salzburg, Austria.  For three years she taught English, geography and economics, music, shorthand and physical education in Grades Five through Eight in Salzburg.  She has studied at York University and at the Faculty of Education where her most recent course was an in-service program for instructors of international languages.  Having started her career teaching English as a second language in Austria, she more recently has been employed with the Deutsche Sprachschule Metro Toronto teaching German as a second language.  She is also a snowboard instructor.  Margot provides an energetic and positive role model of many talents for AHWS children.

Sara Anderson– Enrollment Manager

Laurie Cooke – Business Operations Assistant

Laurie Cooke joined the office staff at AHWS as Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant in 1999.  Prior to that she was a compensation analyst and payroll manager for Olivetti Canada for ten years and a Legislative Assistant at Queen’s Park. She also worked as a bookkeeper at the Worker’s Health and Safety Centre in Toronto. Since then Laurie has developed over nine years of experience in managing payroll, contracts management, and bookkeeping at AHWS. In addition, she has played a key role in helping with facilities management and carries a great deal of the history of the school. As such, she provides valuable support to special events at AHWS. She also runs the school store in partnership with Sandra Magone.  Laurie has also been a parent in the school while her daughter attended from Nursery to Grade Eight – graduating in June of 2006.

Jennifer Deathe - Marketing Coordinator

Jennifer Deathe joined the school in March 2009. She has worked in film as an assistant director since 1992 and holds a B.A. in English and Political Science from Trinity College, University of Toronto. She has traveled extensively, taught at Tokyo Pacific Business School, was part of Youth To Everest, a campaign to clean up used oxygen tanks left at Everest basecamp and provide solar heating to tourist lodges and HOST, an organization for Refugees. She is currently developing a sustainable parenting documentary. She was co-chair of the Community Council, on various task groups, and co-organizer of the Conference on Play. Her younger sisters are graduates from London Waldorf School and her two children attend the school.

Peter Griffin – Facilitator

Peter joined the school in January 2009 as interim Facilitator.  Peter is a retired public school principal and has been involved with the teaching and learning of children since 1971.  He last retired in 2006 and then spent two years being trained as a family mediator.  He has a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling.  Peter has been involved in the Arica School of Knowledge since 1974 and is an elected member of the Ethics Council of Arica.  This spiritual background has provided him with the tools and outlook to serve the Waldorf community.  He returns this year as the Facilitator having dropped the interim title.

Michelle Huppeler – FSDM Coordinator and Staffing Manager

Michelle first joined the school staff in 2006.  She assists the Facilitator and Faculty Managers in their day to day operations, as well as managing human resources.  She holds her B.A. in Ethics, Society and Law from the University of Toronto and brings with her years of experience working with senior executives in the corporate world.  Michelle’s communication, administrative background, technology and organizational skills are a great asset to the school.  She attended a Waldorf school in her primary years, is the daughter of a Waldorf teacher and now a Grade Six parent at AHWS.   She brings a vivid and practical understanding of Waldorf principles and provides a warm and supportive presence which is always gratefully received by faculty, parents and children alike.

Sandra Magone – Front Desk

Sandra Magone started at the Alan Howard Waldorf School as a parent. Her son attended AHWS from Kindergarten to Grade Eight – graduating in 2002. Sandra became full-time receptionist/admin assistant in 2003.

John Peltier – Business Operations Manager

John joined the school in July 2009. After graduating from the University of Western, with a BA Economics and French Diploma, John worked for seven years in the private sector and has spent more than fifteen years in not-for-profits and charities. His most recent position was Business Manager for three years at the Toronto Children’s Chorus, with over 300 choristers between the ages of 6 and 16, where he was responsible for financial management, operations, marketing, and development. Previous positions have included roles at the Directors’ Guild of Canada (Ontario), Canadian Crossroads International, and Opera Lyra Ottawa.  Before obtaining a graduate degree in not-for-profit administration (Arts specialization) from Concordia University in Montréal, he worked at Canada Trust. He is excited to join the team at the Alan Howard Waldorf School.