“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 Teacher

Francesca Preponis feels blessed to serve as lead teacher of Maple Village’s parent/child programs (Parent/Toddler and Baby & Me class) as well…
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.
Victoria Seaborn
Poppy Preschool Substitute Lead Teacher

Kathy Striegl
Poppy Preschool Assistant Teacher

Bio coming soon.
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 experience…
Mars Walker
Lavender Preschool Assistant 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…
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

Germania (G) Egas
Sunflower Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Germania (G )Egas was born, raised, and educated in Ecuador. She has always loved children and went to college to study…
Elementary School Faculty
Nicole Soderman
Grade 1 – Joshua Trees Substitute 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 2 – 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 3 – Redbud Trees
Teacher

Allison Stovall began her journey as a teacher began in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky in theater education.
Bobbie Gonzales
Grade 4 – 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…
Cori Amendt
Grade 5 – 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.
Pagan Urich
Grades Floater/Assistant

Jessica Pagan Urich, aka Ms. Pagan, hails from New Orleans, which is to say that she has a deep love of food, music, and festivities.
Middle School Faculty
Helen Zadourian
Grade 6 – 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 7/8 – Willow-Woods 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…
Amy Rosenberg (Ms. Cricket)
Gardening Teacher

Amy Rosenberg, otherwise known in the garden as Ms. Cricket, loves encouraging others to build connections with nature. As a curious…
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
Chorus Teacher

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

Iris Ortiz was born and raised in Argentina. In 1968 she became a school teacher and in 1974 she completed her studies…
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…
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…
Amelia Handly
Grades Recess Teacher and Aftercare Assistant

Amelia Handly graduated from the Waldorf High School of San Diego before furthering her education at Agnes Scott college. She has…
Administration
Lisa J. McCarthy
Dean of Education

Lisa J. McCarthy has been a Waldorf Educator for 25 years. Although she loved being in the classroom, she has found so much joy and…
Andi Levine
Administrative Director

Andi Levine was born and raised in a small town in Pennsylvania and attended Penn State University and the University of Manchester in…
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…
Theresse Diop-Dia
Front Office/Administrative Assistant
