“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 (Baby and Toddler) Faculty:
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…
Marisa Togiaso
Assistant Teacher

Marisa Togiaso was born and raised in San Diego, California. She has been working with children for over 10 years, offering creative…
Emilio Tello
Parent Toddler Guitarist

Emilio Tello was born and raised in Southern California. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Music from CSULB with a primary emphasis…
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.
Yocsandy Vega
Sweet Pea Preschool Assistant Teacher & EC Extended Care Assistant

Yocsandy Vega was born in Acapulco, Mexico. Her family migrated to U.S. when she was 3 years old.
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…
Elaine Black
Larkspur Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Elaine Black is a Long Beach native. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a degree in English—Creative Writing in 2014.
Charlotte Guest
Sunflower Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Charlotte Guest serves as Maple Village’s Sunflower Kindergarten teacher. She fell in love with Waldorf education the moment …
Angie Perez
Sunflower Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Angie Perez was born, raised and educated in Colombia. She earned her BA degree in Social Work. While in college, Angie gained experience…
Elementary School Faculty:
Miriam Jones
Grade 1 – Redbud Trees
Teacher

Miriam Jones earned her B.A. in English at Bryn Mawr College and her M.F.A. in Puppetry and Integrated Media from CalArts.
Barbara (Bobbie) Gonzales
Grade 2 – 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…
Jewel Nicholson
Grade 3 – Laurel Trees
Teacher

Jewel Nicholson was born and raised in Long Beach, California. She has a BA in Studio Art with an emphasis in photography…
Basil Hernandez
Grade 4 – Palm Trees

Basil Hernandez was part of the first graduating class at the Chicago Waldorf School and went on to get his BA in Biology…
Paola Schouten
Grade 5 – Willow Trees

Paola Schouten was born, raised and educated in the Netherlands. She was exposed to the Waldorf Festivals since childhood…
Middle School Faculty:
Ania Kubik
Grade 6-8 – Shady Chaparral Trees

Ania Kubik is a Waldorf-trained class teacher whose specialties are arts and handwork, and whose special interest is in movement. She…
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…
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…
Jay Hemphill
Strings Teacher

Jay Hemphill was born and raised in Long Beach, California. He started playing the cello in the 3rd grade…
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…
Ciana Lee
Games Teacher & Grades Extended Care

Ciana Lee has actively sought being part of educational and creative environments from the beginning.
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…
Alice Stevens
Admissions & Enrollment Coordinator

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

Kari Rahni started the Parent Toddler program at Maple Village with her first child. Through the years she became interested to learn more…
Meghan Wincor
Front Office / Administrative Assistants

Meghan Wincor was born and raised in Silver Lake, CA. She spent her childhood in her mother’s children’s bookstore, working, reading…
Jo Hendrix
Front Office / Administrative Assistants

Jo Hendrix began her Waldorf journey in the beginning of 2015 as a parent of a toddler who just happened to live close to Maple Village.