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Early Childhood Teachers

  • Nursery
    Maria Morioka
    Maria Morioka teaches Nursery. She has lived and worked in Japan, Brazil, Germany, and the United States. She loves to share songs and stories from different cultures. She holds a B.F.A. with honors from the ArtCenter College of Design and worked at Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo before beginning her path as a parent and a Waldorf teacher. She received her Waldorf Certificate in 2015 from the Waldorf Institute of Southern California and completed her practicum in Early Childhood, Grades, and Subject Class. She has taught in Early Childhood, Grades, Subject Class, and High School in Waldorf and non-Waldorf settings. She enjoys working with different age groups and experiencing firsthand, the depth and beauty of human development. Her hobbies include but are not limited to playing the piano, Plein-Air painting, horseback riding, and watching the pattern of the waves at the beach. 
  • Early Years
    Holly Richards
    Holly Richards is the The Early Years (previously known as Playgroup and Bridge) teacher. Holly brings to this position her 25 years of experience at WSOC, including Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grades 1-5, Early Childhood Teacher Preparation, and mentoring as a Regional WECAN Representative (two years). Her seven years teaching Early Childhood Education classes at Saddleback and CSUF will also support this new endeavor. She earned her B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University at Fullerton, her M.A. in Human Development with a focus on Leadership in Education from Pacific Oaks College, and her Certificate in Waldorf Education from Rudolf Steiner College. 
  • 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.
  • Pre-Kindergarten
    Margaret Leigh
    Margaret Leigh teaches Pre-Kindergarten. She was born and raised in Orange County, CA. She attended college at the California College of Arts & Crafts in San Francisco where she earned her BFA in Furniture Design. She learned of Waldorf education while homeschooling her daughters from 2015-2017, where she followed a Waldorf curriculum. After seeking to become part of a larger Waldorf community, Margaret joined WSOC in 2018 as an assistant teacher in Early Childhood. She has also worked as a Grades assistant, woodworking teacher, and handwork assistant. She completed the Foundation Studies program at WSOC, the Practical Arts Teacher Training at Highland Hall Waldorf School and is currently doing her Early Childhood teacher training with the Waldorf Institute of Southern California. She has two children at WSOC.
  • 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, CA, 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
    Christiane Bohr
    Christiane Unutzer Bohr is the main lesson teacher for the Class of 2033. She was born and reared in Germany, closely connected to nature and the four seasons. She holds a B.A. in arts and crafts from Iowa State University and an M.F.A. in textiles from California State University, Long Beach. She taught in the arts department at Cal State Long Beach and elementary schools in the Long Beach Unified School District. “Miss Christiane,” as she is known to the children, has three children that are Waldorf graduates. Christiane has been teaching since 1996, first as the handwork teacher and then becoming a class teacher in 2003. Most recently, she was the main lesson teacher for the Class of 2024 from Grades 1-8.
  • Grade 2
    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 3
    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 4
    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 5
    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 6
    Storm Dye
    Storm Dye is the Class of 2028 class teacher. Mr. Storm comes to us with five years of Games teaching experience at Journey School, a member of the public Waldorf movement. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton and will be continuing his Waldorf teacher certification this fall. In addition to his Journey teaching experience, Mr. Storm spent six seasons as an outdoor educator for Trackers Earth, and has performing arts experience, including middle school dance instruction at Camden Hall.
  • Grade 7
    Brooke Natzke
    Brooke Natzke is the main lesson teacher for the Class of 2027. She 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. Brooke has four children; 2 at the WSOC High School and two WSOC alumni, Class of 2019 and Class of 2021.
  • Grade 8
    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 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.
  • 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.
  • Strings Teacher
    Jessica Haddy
    Jessica Haddy is WSOC’s strings teacher. Most recently, she was the orchestra assistant and conductor at Corona Del Mar High School and Middle School, as well as strings teacher at Free Society Academics, and Linden Tree Learning Enrichment. Ms. Haddy was a featured strings instructor for the Newport Mesa district string conference in 2020. A Laguna Beach resident, she teaches at her home studio and instructs nationally for the online music company, Tunelark. Before having her daughter Ravelle, Ms. Haddy taught violin, viola and cello at the Journey School in Aliso Viejo and was the strings coach for the Aliso Niguel High school orchestras. She has been the concertmaster of the Southern California Philharmonic since 2016.  Currently, she is the Principal 2nd Violinist with the Mira Costa Symphony and has performed with the Golden State Pops, Culver City Chamber Orchestra, OC Symphony, Dana Point Symphony and the Debut Symphony.
  • 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 1-5)
    Yung-I Lo
    Yung-I Lo teaches Mandarin in Grades 1-5. “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.

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
    Nicola Weiss
    Nicola Weiss grew up in Switzerland in a very free-spirited learning environment, where it was important that children explored what they were passionate about and built their learning from there. She has five children, ages 20, three who are 19, and 17, all raised in the United States in the same experiential way. Nicola coached soccer for 12 years while her children were growing up, and for the past eight years she managed the Lacrosse program at Edison High School. For two  years, she also managed the Track and Field team at Edison while her daughter competed. Nicola finds deep satisfaction in developing opportunities for students to be active and looks forward to continuing the growth of our high school Athletics program.      
  • 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
    James Mesevage
    James Mesevage teaches math at WSOC in grades 9-12. Mr. Mesevage comes to WSOC with Waldorf High School math teaching experience from Green Meadow, Baltimore and Sacramento Waldorf Schools. He earned his B.A. in Music from Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, his M.A. in Mathematics and Mathematics Education from Columbia University, and his Certificate in Waldorf Education from Sunbridge Institute. Mr. Mesevage is expected to complete his Doctorate in Education from Columbia University in 2022.  
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Strings Teacher
    Jessica Haddy
    Jessica Haddy is WSOC’s strings teacher. Most recently, she was the orchestra assistant and conductor at Corona Del Mar High School and Middle School, as well as strings teacher at Free Society Academics, and Linden Tree Learning Enrichment. Ms. Haddy was a featured strings instructor for the Newport Mesa district string conference in 2020. A Laguna Beach resident, she teaches at her home studio and instructs nationally for the online music company, Tunelark. Before having her daughter Ravelle, Ms. Haddy taught violin, viola and cello at the Journey School in Aliso Viejo and was the strings coach for the Aliso Niguel High school orchestras. She has been the concertmaster of the Southern California Philharmonic since 2016.  Currently, she is the Principal 2nd Violinist with the Mira Costa Symphony and has performed with the Golden State Pops, Culver City Chamber Orchestra, OC Symphony, Dana Point Symphony and the Debut Symphony.

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