“Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education.”
— Rudolf Steiner
Faculty and Staff members at Maple Village Waldorf school bring a collective teaching experience of well over 100 years. They are gifted individuals who bring exceptional dedication to Waldorf Education and the freedom in which Steiner intended. They are committed to on-going self-development so as to be the examples to the students and bring engagement and inspiration to each lesson . Their vast experience from around the world allows them to present subjects with a greater panoramic view. They are a flexible group of individuals who work together to support and mentor one another with respect and appreciation.
Parent-Child Faculty
Sprouts, Seedlings and Blossom Bridge
Francesca Preponis
Lead Parent/Child Teacher and Chorus Teacher

Francesca Preponis feels blessed to serve as lead teacher of Maple Village’s parent/child programs (Parent/Toddler and Baby & Me class)…
Tanya Comerford
Assistant Teacher

Tanya Comerford is thrilled that her Waldorf journey has come full circle and brought her back to Maple Village Waldorf School, where she first…
Early Childhood Faculty
Mele McCabe
Poppy Preschool Lead Teacher

Mele McCabe earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Cal State University of Long Beach.
Kathy Striegl
Poppy Preschool Assistant Teacher

Bio coming soon.
Mars Walker
Rose Preschool Lead Teacher

Mars Walker, born in San Diego, California, has been a guide and nurturer of little folk for most of her life. After stepping into motherhood, Mars…
Kathryn Jorda
Rose Preschool Assistant Teacher

Kathryn Jorda, born in Lynwood CA, is elated to be joining the incredible staff at Maple Village Waldorf School. She is grateful to be expanding…
Angie Perez
Lavender Preschool Lead Teacher

Angie Perez was born, raised, and educated in Colombia. She earned her BA degree in Social Work. While in college, Angie gained.…
Germania (G) Egas
Lavender Preschool Assistant Teacher

Germania (G )Egas was born, raised, and educated in Ecuador. She has always loved children and went to college to study…
Kathleen Rinden
Larkspur Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Kathleen Rinden has been a Waldorf kindergarten teacher for 20 years. It is her passion to bring Waldorf principle and values everywhere, not…
Aurora Dismukes
Larkspur Kindergarten Assistant Teacher and Morning Care Assistant

Aurora Dismukes is ecstatic to be part of the Waldorf community again as a graduate of Monterey Bay Charter school in…
Charlotte Guest
Sunflower Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Charlotte Guest will be returning to Maple Village this fall to teach as the Sunflower Kindergarten teacher. She fell in love with Waldorf….
Gehisa Avila
Sunflower Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Doc. Cristina Rose Smith
Sunflower Kindergarten Friday Assistant Teacher

Doc. Cristina, Queer, she/siya,ella, loves being the Friday assistant to Charlotte in Sunflower Kindergarten. She is mama to a Joshua Tree student…
Elementary School Faculty
Amelia Handley
Grade 1 Teacher

Amelia Handley graduated from the Waldorf High School of San Diego before furthering her education at Agnes Scott College, where she…
Nicole Soderman
Grade 2 – Joshua Trees Teacher

Nicole Soderman comes from a long line of teachers and has worked in childcare almost her entire life. Nicole was a live-in nanny in college…
Eloise Gelber
Grade 3 – Manzanita Trees
Teacher

Eloise Gelber is a graduate of the Pasadena Waldorf School and Highland Hall High School. She recently completed her teacher training…
Allison Stovall
Grade 4 – Redbud Trees
Teacher

Allison Stovall began her journey as a teacher began in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky in theater education.
Bobbie Gonzales
Grade 5 – Sequoia Trees
Teacher

Bobbie Gonzales was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She has a BA in Human Development with an emphasis on Child…
Middle School Faculty
Cori Amendt
Grade 6 – Laurel Trees Teacher

Cori Amendt is a Multiple Subject Credentialed Teacher, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with a minor in Child Development.
Helen Zadourian
Grade 7 – Palm Trees Teacher

Mrs. Zadourian has a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature and a teaching diploma. She also has 20 years of…
Paola Schouten
Grade 8 – Willow Trees Teacher

Paola Schouten was born, raised and educated in the Netherlands. She was exposed to the Waldorf Festivals since childhood…
Specialty Teachers
Ririko Oshiro
Handwork Teacher

Ririko Oshiro was born and raised in Okinawa, Japan. She earned her BA in communications at Regis College in Massachusetts…
Patrick York
Woodworking Teacher

Patrick York was born and raised in Long Beach. He is a Multiple Subject Credentialed Teacher, which he earned from Cal State Long Beach…
Hiromi Koyanagi
Japanese Teacher

Hiromi Koyanagi was born, raised, and educated in Japan. She has been a Waldorf Language Teacher for 17 years, most recently…
Xochitl Brizuela
Spanish Teacher

Xochitl Brizuela was born in Mexico and was brought to the USA by her father. She grew up in a multigenerational home with her monolingual…
Carol Diven
Music Teacher

Music has played a huge role in Carol’s life. She cannot remember a time when she was not actively engaged in lessons…
Korina Williams
Strings Teacher

Francesca Preponis
Lead Parent/Child Teacher and Chorus Teacher

Francesca Preponis feels blessed to serve as lead teacher of Maple Village’s parent/child programs (Parent/Toddler and Baby & Me class)…
Ciana Lee
Games Teacher & Lead Aftercare Teacher

Ciana Lee has actively sought being part of educational and creative environments from the beginning. As the eldest of five, a dancer…
Hilda Kale
Yard Duty Teacher, Games Support Teacher, and Aftercare Assistant

Hilda Kale has heard about Maple Village for many years, and was hoping to find a position that matched her skills and desires. She will be our grades…
Administration
Lisa J. McCarthy
Dean of Education

Lisa Jordan McCarthy has been a Waldorf educator since the mid-90’s. She followed advice from many, walked onto a Waldorf campus…
Ed Eadon
Interim Administrative Director

Ed Eadon is excited to return to the private Waldorf school environment as he joins the Maple Village community and helps the school…
Alice Stevens
Registrar & Administrative Coordinator

Alice Stevens, originally from Massachusetts, moved out west in 2005 to attend Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. After graduating from Pitzer…
Kari Rahni
Outreach Coordinator & Admissions

Kari Rahni started the Parent Toddler program at Maple Village with her first child. Through the years she became interested in learning…
Carver Scott
Front Office/Administrative Assistant

Carver Scott was born and raised in a small New England town and has made her way west, living in several cities in the Midwest, the U.K., and western…
Jenna Berger
Front Office/Administrative Assistant

Jenna Berger was born and raised in Long Beach, CA, and feels a sense of purpose to serve her local community. After exploring much of the country…
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