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Early Childhood Teachers

  • Pre-Kindergarten
    Catherine Averett
    Catherine Averett teaches pre-kindergarten. She grew up in Southern California, earning a BFA in Visual Communication Design from California State University, Long Beach. While in college, she taught English as a Second Language for three years to children in kindergarten through 3rd grade. After graduation, she worked as a Creative Director for a New York-based publishing company for twelve years. In 1994, through her father and family, she learned about Waldorf education and the work of Rudolf Steiner. She came to WSOC as a parent in 2002. She is trained in biodynamic gardening, and graduated from the Waldorf Teacher Training program at Antioch University, New England. She joined the WSOC faculty in 2007.
  • Kindergarten
    Arieta Bizaro
    Arieta Bizaro teaches kindergarten. She was born in Argentina but has spent most of her life in Southern California. She began her Waldorf journey as a student at Highland Hall, a Waldorf school in Los Angeles. When she had children of her own, she decided to become a Waldorf teacher and enrolled in WISC San Diego, where she graduated in 2013. Arieta also holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. She has been part of the WSOC faculty since 2011 working in the Early Childhood department; first as an assistant, then as a co-teacher, and now leading her own kindergarten class. Arieta has two children at WSOC.
  • Kindergarten
    Terri Webster
    Terri Webster teaches kindergarten. She was born and raised in Costa Mesa, California, where she attended Orange Coast College. In addition to completing a two-year Anthroposophical Studies Program, she completed her Early Childhood Teacher Training, and three-year Remedial Teacher Training, both at Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, California. Terri joined the WSOC faculty in 2000 as a kindergarten assistant and has been teaching her own class since 2004. She especially enjoys handwork and taking her class on long walks. Her hobbies include cooking, traveling, and being in nature. She has a son and a daughter, both of whom attended WSOC.
  • Early Childhood Aftercare Supervisor
    Michaela Heller
    Michaela Heller, known to the children as Ms. Michaela, is the Little Aftercare Supervisor. She was born and raised in Southern California. She knew that when she had children, she wanted a different type of education for them-an education that would teach the whole child. In 2006 her desire to educate her son in this way brought her family to WSOC. In 2012, she completed the Foundation Studies program at WSOC. In 2014, she joined the Early Childhood Adult Education Program and graduated in 2016. Michaela joined the WSOC faculty in 2012 as a kindergarten assistant, and has been the Little Aftercare Supervisor since 2013.

Grade School Faculty

  • Grade 1
    Jenell Carlson
    Jenell Carlson is the main lesson teacher for the Class of 2032. She was born and raised in Southern California. She received a B.A. in literature at San Diego State University and a M.A in Linguistics with an emphasis in Language in Culture from California State University Long Beach. She completed the Waldorf Teacher Training program at the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher, the Consciousness Studies program at Rudolf Steiner College, and the Spacial Dynamics program for movement instructors. Jenell is also  certified to teach Bothmer gymnastics and English to Speakers of Other Languages. Prior to serving as the Main Lesson teacher  for the class of 2032,  Ms. Carlson was the director of the Parent-Child Program and the high school surfing and sailing coach. She has two grown children who attended WSOC and she loves surfing, sailing, backpacking and learning new things.
  • Grade 2
    Andrea Hubert
    Andrea Hubert is the main lesson  teacher for the class of 2031. She was born in Austria and raised in Germany, where she earned a master’s degree in business management before moving to the United States in 1992. Her two sons are both WSOC Alumni, having graduated in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Andrea worked in the early childhood department and handwork program, served as a Board member and on Parent Association leadership, and completed the Anthroposophical Foundation Studies in 2005/2006. Her deep appreciation for the gifts of a Waldorf education led her to re-enroll in the Adult Education program, from which she graduated in 2013. She most recently graduated WSOC’s  class of 2022 , serving as main lesson teacher from grades 1-8.
  • Grade 3
    Rebecca Schwarz
    Rebecca Schwarz is the main lesson teacher for the Class of 2030. She is a graduate of WSOC’s Waldorf teacher training program and also currently teaches Grade 3 gardening. She has a degree in biology with an emphasis on zoology and a minor in chemistry. She also has a commercial pilot certificate from the Sierra Academy of Aeronautics. She first worked in WSOC’s Early Childhood program, before becoming a teaching assistant for two years with grades teacher Ms. Peterson. In her pre-teaching life, she worked as a zookeeper (in both San Diego and Santa Ana Zoos) as well as a flight instructor in Oakland. Rebecca, together with her husband Martin, has two WSOC students, both in the grades.
  • Grade 4
    Sara Rodelo
    Sara Rodelo is the main lesson teacher for the Class of 2029.  She began her Waldorf journey in 2008 as a Waldorf parent. Her credentials include both the Foundation Studies and the Teacher Training Grades Program, and she has worked as a Playgroup Assistant and Second Grade Teacher Assistant at WSOC. She holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees: in International Relations at San Francisco State University, and in Spanish from the University of Madrid, Complutense. Beyond the required courses for Waldorf teachers, she has completed multiple specialized Waldorf trainings, including Spanish language, Early Childhood at Rudolf Steiner College, and multiple annual Waldorf conferences.Prior to being a teacher and parent, Ms. Rodelo focused on humanitarian work, living and serving in Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and San Francisco. She has taught students both nationally and internationally, in non-profit settings and in both public and private schools: encompassing early childhood, lower, middle, and high school.
  • Grade 5
    Holly Peterson
    Holly Peterson Richards (Miss Peterson) is the main lesson teacher for the Class of 2028 and has been teaching at WSOC since 1997. She holds a MA in Human Development with a focus on Leadership in Education from Pacific Oaks College and earned her BA in Human Development at CSUF. Holly completed her certification of Waldorf EC Teacher Training at Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento and did Grades teacher training through the Adult Education Program at WSOC. Holly also teaches college courses in child and human development at CSUF and Saddleback College.
  • Grade 6
    Brooke Natzke
    Brooke Natzke first came to Waldorf education and a serious study of Anthroposophy in 2002 with the birth of her second daughter. She completed her Waldorf teaching certificate from the Waldorf Institute of Southern California in 2011 and promoted the Class of 2023 to 9th grade in 2019. She spent the 2019-2020 school year guest teaching at Maple Village Waldorf School and the Waldorf School of Princeton, both in middle school. She will be continuing middle school teaching with the Class of 2027, entering 6th grade during 2020-2021. Brooke has four children; 3 at the WSOC High School and one graduate of the Class of 2019.
  • Grade 7
    Yvette Fabian
    Yvette Fabian is the main lesson teacher for the Class of 2026. In 2007, Ms. Fabian  became a founding member of a Waldorf inspired school, Maple Village School, in Long Beach, CA. She holds a BA in Speech Communications from Chapman University and completed her Waldorf Teacher training at WSOC in 2013. Ms. Fabian has worked as an assistant in both early childhood and grades. She is currently the teacher for the class of 2026. She has two children; one is a WSOC alumnus, the other is in the WSOC class of 2025.
  • Grade 8
    Lorri Valenzuela-Mier
    Lorri VM is the main lesson teacher for the Class of 2025. Ms. Lorri holds a BA in research psychology from the University of Colorado, and pursued this area of study in a masters program at California State University, Long Beach. She is a graduate of WSOC’s Adult Education program and is the teacher for the class of 2025. Lorri and her wife are the parents of three children, all of whom attended WSOC.

Grade School Specialty Teachers

  • Eurythmy
    Silvia Hanustiakova
    Silvia Hanustiakova joins our faculty from Slovakia, Europe. She teaches Eurythmy in the middle school and high school. Silvia graduated from Waldorf Eurythmy training and art therapy in Vienna, Austria in 2003. Silvia is an experienced Eurythmy teacher, having taught extensively in Waldorf schools in Slovakia, and is one of the founders of a Eurythmy teacher training school there. Silvia has performed as part of a troupe in France, Germany, Switzerland and Slovakia. In 2019, Silvia graduated with a Masters of Arts in art therapy, and had a thriving practice in Germany before joining WSOC. Silvia is passionate about assisting students in their individuality and uniqueness, and her goal is to always support and encourage inner development. She has one daughter at WSOC.
  • Band Teacher
    Edwin Lovo
    Edwin Lovo is a music teacher who brings his love of wind and brass instruments to WSOC students in middle school and high school. He was born and raised in Orange County. He started playing the trumpet at age 14. He received his degree in music performance and education from Cal State Fullerton, where he won the Rodger Vaughn award, a yearly award given to the best musician. He  played in the top wind ensemble, brass ensemble, jazz band, and orchestra while in college. He has performed in the La Mirada Community Orchestra and played trumpet in the Tournament of Roses parade for the past 7 years. He has been featured on KALA morning news on trumpet. He began teaching at WSOC in 2013. He is pleased to provide a strong music program that enables students to enjoy themselves and develop lifelong musical skills.
  • Eurythmy Teacher
    Pavel Hanustiak
    Pavel teaches Eurythmy in grades 1-8. He received his B.A. in mathematics from the University of P.J. Safarik in Kosice, East Slovakia. He completed his Waldorf training in 1998 and his Eurythmy training in 2004 in Dornach, Switzerland. In 2007, he began teaching in a Waldorf school in Bratislava, Slovakia. In 2008, together with WSOC high school Eurythmy teacher Silvia Hanustiakova, he co-founded the first Eurythmy training program in Slovakia. They have performed with Eurythmy troupes all over Europe. He began teaching at WSOC in 2018. His daughter is a student at WSOC.
  • Big Aftercare Supervisor
    Elizabeth Jarvis
    Elizabeth Jarvis is the Big Aftercare Supervisor. Elizabeth Jarvis (aka Ms. E) worked at three Waldorf schools before arriving at WSOC in 2017. She has a degree in Liberal Arts from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO. She began teaching at a public school in Hawaii before she had children. After exploring Cedar Springs Waldorf School in Placerville, CA, in 2001, she and her husband decided it was the perfect place for their two children. She graduated from teacher training at the Micha-el Institute in Portland 2008, and appreciates all she has learned from going to workshops and conferences. While she enjoys teaching, she has a special love of Aftercare, believing that those students in the after school program deserve quality care from someone that deeply knows and understands Waldorf Education.
  • Practical Arts
    Matan Tsufim
    Matan teaches woodwork in grades 5-7 and practical arts (copper work; carpentry, jewelry) in grades 8-12. He holds a BA in psychology and special education. Matan has worked as a teacher and caretaker in different Waldorf programs. Most recently, he taught special education at the Shaked Waldorf School in Israel. Matan’s personal connection with Waldorf education goes back almost two decades when he studied at the first Waldorf School of Israel. He then completed his foundation studies training at the Pennine Camphill Community in England. During his time as a Camphill co-worker, he was involved in the various craft activities and conducted class sessions in the woodwork, blacksmithing, and pottery workshops. He currently is working toward his master’s degree in Waldorf Education with a particular focus on the healing arts at Antioch University, New England.
  • Grade 4 Strings teacher, Orchestra Assistant
    Agniezska Borzuchowski
    Ms. Borzuchowski teaches Grade 4 strings and assists Debora Wondercheck with all strings classes. She also works with children-one on-one with reading music and extra help with their instruments. She been playing the violin for 23 years. She was trained in Classical violin and is finishing her Master’s Degree in Violin Performance at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, where she held the position of Principle 2nd Violin and Concertmaster. She has been part of the Young People’s Symphony Youth Orchestra, Berkeley Youth Orchestra, Oakland Youth Orchestra and the University Symphony Orchestra at California State University Long Beach. She has traveled with orchestras and played all over the world. Ms. Borzuchowski teaches violin to people of all ages, at schools and privately, and is the co-founder, conductor, and concertmaster of the Long Beach Chamber Music Group.
  • Director of Music
    Debora Wondercheck
    Debora Wondercheck (MS) currently serves as Director of Music at the Waldorf School of Orange County, teaching grades 5-8 strings  (unanimously superior rated orchestra of So. Cal. Band & Orchestra Association) and high school chamber orchestra. She also is the Executive Director of the Arts & Learning Conservatory. She is recognized as an accomplished Master teacher of string pedagogy, having taught and trained instructors at Vanguard University, Irvine Unified School District, and Newport Mesa Unified District. Ms. Wondercheck is a recent winner of the Outstanding Arts Organization Award from Arts Orange County for the creation of effective arts and education programs to youth, and also has received the Teacher of Excellence Award from the Newport Mesa Unified District. She embraces the Orange County community with participation on various arts commissions like the Cultural Arts Committee for the city of Costa Mesa, the Arts Alliance of California, and the Orange County Music and Arts Administrator Association.
  • Spanish (Grades 5-8)
    Sandra Blanco
    Sandra Blanco teaches Spanish in grades 5-8. She is from Mexico City and earned her B.A. in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and human resources from CETYS University, Mexicali, B.C. After graduating from college, Sandra guided young entrepreneurs on their path to developing their own companies. Before joining the faculty at WSOC, she taught at Saddleback Valley Unified School District in the Spanish Immersion and English as a Second Language Programs for twelve years as a teacher’s assistant. She joined WSOC in 2002. Sandra’s two daughters are both WSOC alumni.
  • Mandarin (Grades 1-3)
    Yung-I Lo
    Yung-I Lo teaches Mandarin in Grades 1-3. “As a pictorial and ideographic language, Chinese lends itself well to Waldorf curriculum,” she says. “More and more, people are realizing that Mandarin Chinese is an important language in today’s global culture. I believe adding Mandarin Chinese teaching in WSOC foreign language curriculum will empower children’s learning experience. As a native Mandarin Chinese speaker and well-educated in both Taiwan and the U.S. about Waldorf education, I believe I can enrich children’s learning about a different language and culture.” “Luo Lau Shi,” which means “Teacher Luo,” was born and raised in Taiwan. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from National Chengchi University in Taiwan and a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. She graduated from the Foundation Studies in 2014, the Adult Education Early Childhood Program in 2016 and the Adult Education Grades Program in 2018.
  • Middle School Resource Teacher
    Thomas Corcoran
    Thomas Corcoran is the Middle School resource teacher. He holds degrees in psychology, French and English literature, along with an M.A. in  reading instruction. Thomas helped to found Sierra Waldorf School in 1989, and has additionally taught in Waldorf schools in Sweden after completing his Waldorf training there. After working for many years in Riverside, CA schools as a Reading Specialist, academic coach and intervention coach, Thomas is delighted to return to the Waldorf milieu.
  • Spanish (Grades 1-4)
    Andrea Crozier
    Andrea Crozier was born in a Chilean mining town located on the slopes of the Andes mountains, 2,200 meters above sea level. Growing up, she moved to a different country approximately every three years, loving the change and experiencing different cultures. She  began her fine arts education  in high school at Interlochen Arts Academy. She moved to upstate New York and graduated from Alfred University with a fine arts degree. Eventually, she returned home to Chile and worked at Colegio Waldorf San Francisco de Limache Waldorf school, teaching English as a world language to grades 1-8 for six years. She then moved to Sacramento, California and studied at Rudolf Steiner College, taking Foundation Studies and Teacher Training. From there, she headed back to New York and worked at The Garden City Waldorf School, teaching fiber Arts to grades 7- 12  and History through Architecture for four years.
  • Handwork
    Angelika Meier
    Angelika Meier is in charge of the handwork program and has been a part of the handwork program since 1997. She also has completed the WSOC Adult Education Program. Born in Manhattan, she was introduced to the art of handwork in 4th grade at a public school in Switzerland. She completed her undergraduate schooling in the United States, then returned to Switzerland to complete a degree in culinary servicing. She later returned to the United States with her husband and ultimately embarked upon her Waldorf teaching career.
  • Games Teacher
    Brad Holm
    Brad Holm is the Grades games/movement teacher. Trained in both Waldorf Foundation Studies and Spacial Dynamics™ and an avid athlete since childhood, Brad delights in providing developmentally appropriate movement skills to grades 1-8. Brad discovered Waldorf education when he and his wife were researching school options for their then kindergarten-ready son. Mr. Brad is a native Southern Californian and a graduate from University of California San Diego.  In his free time he enjoys surfing, hiking and gardening.
  • Resource Teacher
    Deborah Waring
    Deborah began her teaching career in the public school system. After receiving her BA and MA in education from the University of Southern California along with an Administrative Credential, she taught in the South Pasadena Unified School District and also pursued an interest in Administration. Following the birth of her three children, a Waldorf Education captured her imagination and Deborah attained a certification in Extra Lesson Training before being invited to become a class teacher at the Pasadena Waldorf School from 2000-2008. During her sabbatical year, Deborah came to WSOC to assist with the Second Grade Developmental Reviews and was later hired as WSOC’s Resource/Educational Support Teacher. Teaching, she says, has always been a sense of joy and satisfaction for her.
  • Eurythmy Accompanist
    David Zedaker
    David Zedaker is a eurythmy accompanist for high school and lower grades, and is an accomplished musician and talented performer who graduated from the Conservatory of Music at Chapman University with Bachelor degrees in Piano Performance and Music Education. He also graduated with a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from California State University, Fullerton in 2014. David is a native Southern Californian, raised in San Diego, and enjoys working with both children and adults – whether it be teaching piano lessons, accompanying or performing in various ensembles, or simply enriching others’ lives with his passion for music. He has been at WSOC since 2015.
  • Art
    Joy Hill
    Joy Hill teaches the after school art program for Grades 1-6 and works with children using art in a therapeutic setting. Joy taught art for 15 years in the WSOC middle school and currently teaches black and white drawing in the Adult Education Program. She completed her undergraduate degree at UCLA, her M.A. in art education at New York University, and her MFA at Cal State Long Beach. She taught art in a public high school on the East Coast, and later became registered as an art therapist (ATR). While living abroad, she taught K-12 art in the Frankfurt International School. After she returned to the U.S. in 1988, her daughter joined the first Kindergarten in the fledgling Waldorf School of Orange County, and is now a WSOC alumni. Joy continues to weave together her own painting and teaching, and deepen her understanding of Rudolf Steiner’s work.

High School Faculty

  • Eurythmy
    Silvia Hanustiakova
    Silvia Hanustiakova joins our faculty from Slovakia, Europe. She teaches Eurythmy in the middle school and high school. Silvia graduated from Waldorf Eurythmy training and art therapy in Vienna, Austria in 2003. Silvia is an experienced Eurythmy teacher, having taught extensively in Waldorf schools in Slovakia, and is one of the founders of a Eurythmy teacher training school there. Silvia has performed as part of a troupe in France, Germany, Switzerland and Slovakia. In 2019, Silvia graduated with a Masters of Arts in art therapy, and had a thriving practice in Germany before joining WSOC. Silvia is passionate about assisting students in their individuality and uniqueness, and her goal is to always support and encourage inner development. She has one daughter at WSOC.
  • Athletic Director
    Armando Castro
    Armando brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the WSOC athletic department. He has coached CIF football and basketball in both private and public school settings, leading teams to over 16 league and conference championships. As Athletic Director, he brings both coaching and administrative experience to the school as a CIF, AIC and CIC certified coach who has been an active participant in building and developing thriving CIP athletic programs at the high school level. As a parent of Waldorf graduates, he understands the importance of community collaboration to build a strong, healthy and vibrant sports program that inspires pride and enthusiasm amongst students and parents alike.      
  • Physics
    Ed Feck
    Ed Feck teaches physics in the high school. He grew up in rural Oregon, and earned his BS in Chemical Engineering from Oregon State University. Ed has spent over 30 years in manufacturing in various engineering, research and management roles and earned his MBA degree from Pepperdine University. He has four children that have completed Waldorf education and has twins that are entering first grade in the 2019/2020 academic year.  Ed has completed the Foundation Studies Program and has previously taught the 9th and 10th grade physics blocks.  He is very excited about contributing to the excellence of the WSOC high school curriculum.      
  • English
    Beka Castro
    Before coming to WSOC, Beka Castro taught music and middle school theater in Redondo Beach. She graduated from the Waldorf Institute of Southern California in 2007, and took the WSOC class of 2020 on their journey from Grade 1 though Grade 8. During her sabbatical, Beka taught Honors English at a public high school in Carlsbad. In 2016, she returned as a main lesson elementary teacher and middle school English teacher before transitioning to the WSOC high school. She hold a Liberal Arts degree with an emphasis in English Education, and an M.A. Ed. in Teaching and Learning from Point Loma Nazarene University. She also holds a Cleared California Secondary English credential with an added authorization in Reading and Literacy. She and her husband Armando have three children who are WSOC alumni.
  • Spanish
    Maria Reynolds
    Maria Reynolds is the High School Spanish teacher at WSOC. She discovered her love for both teaching and the Spanish language at an early age. She was born and raised in Los Gatos in northern California, where she pursued her language studies through junior high and high school. She completed her B.A. in Spanish Literature and earned her California High School Spanish teaching credential at UC Irvine. During that time she spent her junior year abroad at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. She earned her Master’s degree from Cal State Fullerton in Linguistics, during which time she worked on a language preservation project for the Native American Indian Paiute community in Bishop, California. Maria began her Waldorf journey in 2010, assisting and substitute teaching in the WSOC Early Childhood department. Before coming to WSOC, she taught high school Spanish for eight years, and spent two years teaching Spanish to adults at Coastline Community College.
  • Math
    Daniel Pitts
    Daniel Pitts teaches math at WSOC in grades 9-12, and is currently teaching Algebra, Geometry, and Precalculus courses. He has been teaching math in the high school since 2012. The son of an aerospace engineer and a teacher, he combines a lifelong passion for mathematics and the technical arts with the joy of teaching it with fresh wonder to others. Prior to teaching math full-time, he tutored math students from Grade 5 through college. Daniel is also a classical pianist, and holds his B.M. and M.M. in piano performance from CSU, Fullerton. He has been working at WSOC since 2009, previously as the staff accompanist. He loves drawing, composing, science fiction, the great outdoors, getting lost in a profound idea, and learning something new.
  • History
    Hugh Brennan
    Hugh Brennan holds a BA and single subject teaching credential in Social Sciences from Cal State Long Beach. He is also a National Registered EMT. Hugh is currently enrolled in Waldorf Grades teacher training and has worked at WSOC in several capacities since 2003, including as a humanities teacher, class co-sponsor and guest block teacher. Alongside teaching, he enjoys surfing, traveling the world, and going on adventures with his wife and dog.
  • Practical Arts
    Matan Tsufim
    Matan teaches woodwork in grades 5-7 and practical arts (copper work; carpentry, jewelry) in grades 8-12. He holds a BA in psychology and special education. Matan has worked as a teacher and caretaker in different Waldorf programs. Most recently, he taught special education at the Shaked Waldorf School in Israel. Matan’s personal connection with Waldorf education goes back almost two decades when he studied at the first Waldorf School of Israel. He then completed his foundation studies training at the Pennine Camphill Community in England. During his time as a Camphill co-worker, he was involved in the various craft activities and conducted class sessions in the woodwork, blacksmithing, and pottery workshops. He currently is working toward his master’s degree in Waldorf Education with a particular focus on the healing arts at Antioch University, New England.
  • Handwork
    Christine Newell
    Christine teaches handwork in Grades 7-10. She was born and raised in Robin Hood country, in Nottingham, England. She worked in the textile industry until emigrating to Toronto, Canada. In Canada, Christine started a business in sportswear clothing and worked with a local designer making his creations. When Christine moved to California in 1998, she attended a three-year handwork training program at the Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, Sacramento. Christine teaches Grade 7 doll making, Grade 8 machine sewing, Grade 9 Basketry and marionette making, and Grade 10 textile designs. She works weekly with our local parent community teaching the Waldorf handwork curriculum. In the summer, she coordinates and runs a children’s craft camp on campus. Christine has two grandchildren, a granddaughter who is a WSOC alumni and a grandson currently attending WSOC.
  • Eurythmy, high school choir accompanist
    Rebecca Lim
    Rebecca Hee Jung Lim is a eurythmy and high school choir accompanist at WSOC. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach. She enjoys collaborating with other musicians. She collaborates with various instrumentalists in juries, studio classes and recitals. Rebecca also enjoys teaching piano lessons. She is an active member of Lakewood/Cerritos branch of the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC).
  • Humanities
    Kristen Kuczenski
    Kristen Kuczenski teaches English in the high school. She received her B.A. in English Literature from Trinity College. Before graduate school, she taught creative writing and literature at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and also worked as the first mate on Mystic Seaport Museum’s schooner Brilliant, the nation’s oldest sail education program. Ms. Kuczenski completed the MFA and MA programs in Creative Writing and Gender and Race Studies at the University of Alabama in 2016. She’s thrilled to be working with Waldorf students, and loves the ever-evolving play of poiesis in everything from writing to cooking to conversation. Ms. Kuczenski will graduate with a double concentration in English and History from the Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program at the Center for Anthroposophy in New Hampshire in 2020.
  • Earth Science and Biology
    Kim Eijpen
    Kim Eijpen teaches earth science and biology in grades 9-12. She is a native of Scotland and moved to California in 2007. Kim graduated with a B.Sc. in Physical Geography from the University of Glasgow and continued on to graduate studies at the University of Alberta, Canada and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Kim is passionate about geology, geography, nature and the environment and loves to share that enthusiasm with students both in the classroom and out in the field.  She has spent many years studying glaciers and glacial environments in High Arctic Canada, Iceland, Nepal, the Canadian Rockies, Scotland and Ireland. Kim first learned of Rudolf Steiner while studying for a diploma in Naturopathy in Scotland. She has been a parent at WSOC since 2008. Kim graduated from the WSOC grades studies program in 2018 and from the High School Teacher Education Program at the Center for Anthroposophy in New Hampshire in 2019. 
  • Chemistry and Math
    Ingrid Feck
    Ingrid Feck teaches high school chemistry and mathematics at WSOC. Spending endless hours observing and exploring in her father’s physics lab, she developed a fascination with science, technology, and mathematics. She received B.S. degrees in Biochemistry and Computer Science and a M.S. degree in Mathematics. Her interest in education was sparked while teaching Math for Elementary School Teachers at CSULB. After joining the WSOC community as a parent in 1992, she was recruited to the faculty as math and science support teacher. She completed an eight-year cycle as a class teacher and eventually became one of the founding teachers at the high school. Ingrid considers it a privilege to work with the students, parents, and teachers of the Waldorf community.
  • Choir
    Kathryn Pitts
    Kathryn Pitts is the high school choir director. A classically-trained professional soprano,  her extensive choral experience has taken her to prestigious performance spaces and she has had the honor of performing with Pacific Symphony, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Musica Angelica, and Andrea Bocelli. She made her European debut in summer 2014 at the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria as a member of the Opera Studio and was named a semi-finalist for both the Chicago Oratorio Award and The American Prize in Voice in 2014. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and K-12 Music Teaching Credential from California State University, Fullerton in 2012. Prior to joining the faculty at WSOC as the high school choir director in 2017, she served as the music coordinator at Journey School in Aliso Viejo.
  • Arts
    Francesco DeBenedetto
    Francesco De Benedetto is the 9th-12th grade Visual Arts teacher at WSOC. Once he graduated from high school in Italy, he wished to reconnect to his artistic impulse while also honoring a scientific approach. He moved to California, later graduating from the Laguna College of Art with a B.F.A. in Drawing and Painting. He encountered Waldorf Education in 2008, where he saw a method of artistic inquiry that transcended anything he had learned in school. He was mentored by many seasoned Waldorf educators, doing a one year internship in Sacramento Waldorf School and teaching for two years at the Green Meadow Waldorf School, before finding a home at WSOC. He is involved in several ongoing trainings based on the underpinnings of Anthroposophy. He is committed to the practice of mastering the art and science of teaching, and deepening his artistic practice.
  • Director of Music
    Debora Wondercheck
    Debora Wondercheck (MS) currently serves as Director of Music at the Waldorf School of Orange County, teaching grades 5-8 strings  (unanimously superior rated orchestra of So. Cal. Band & Orchestra Association) and high school chamber orchestra. She also is the Executive Director of the Arts & Learning Conservatory. She is recognized as an accomplished Master teacher of string pedagogy, having taught and trained instructors at Vanguard University, Irvine Unified School District, and Newport Mesa Unified District. Ms. Wondercheck is a recent winner of the Outstanding Arts Organization Award from Arts Orange County for the creation of effective arts and education programs to youth, and also has received the Teacher of Excellence Award from the Newport Mesa Unified District. She embraces the Orange County community with participation on various arts commissions like the Cultural Arts Committee for the city of Costa Mesa, the Arts Alliance of California, and the Orange County Music and Arts Administrator Association.

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