Faculty

Our teachers share a deep respect for children and a commitment to lifelong learning, both for their students and for themselves.

They strive to bring scholarship and community values to life through their actions in the classroom and through their commitment to the school and to the wider community.

The role of the Waldorf teacher is to understand and engage each student’s individual learning needs in order to awaken and inspire their capacity for self-initiated learning and long-term academic success.

All of our class teachers are certified or are seeking to achieve certification in Waldorf teacher training. Teachers upgrade and refresh their Waldorf training by participating in professional development sessions and conferences, and summer courses and workshops. In addition to their Waldorf qualifications, our teachers come to us with a wide variety of formal and in-service educational credentials. Some have advanced degrees, others have public school teaching experience and certification. In addition to being teachers, many of our faculty members have achieved excellence in other fields.

Although each child at the London Waldorf School has one major class teacher, our faculty sees teaching as a collaborative enterprise. A variety of class and subject teachers will contribute to each child’s learning experience. In addition, the teachers meet regularly to study, share teaching experiences, discuss pedagogical and curricular matters, and coordinate details of the school routine. Like most Waldorf schools, the London Waldorf School has no principal. The Faculty selects a pedagogical chairperson and an administrative chairperson from among the teachers. A pedagogical committee is selected to oversee the pedagogical work of the school, including teacher evaluation, standards, and teacher development and concerns.

Early Childhood

Michelle Brooks

Michelle Brooks

Licensed Childcare Supervisor
Michelle is a registered member with the College of Early Childhood Educators (RECE), and holds a Bachelor of Education through York University.  More recently, she received her certificate in Waldorf Early Childhood Education, with a specialization in Birth to Three, from Sophia’s Hearth Family Center, as well as her LifeWays certification through LifeWays North America.  In addition to her role as teacher, Michelle is also our acting Licensed Childcare Supervisor. At LWS since 2015.
Tara DeLuca

Tara DeLuca

Licensed Childcare Lead Teacher / Early Childhood Department Manager
Tara has completed both Foundations Studies in Anthroposophy and her ECE Diploma at Fanshawe College in addition to holding a B.A. from University of Waterloo. Additional courses include Introduction to Working with Children from Birth to Three, and continued education through WECAN and Lifeways North America. Tara is also certified to teach English as a second language in Ontario. Tara has many years of teaching experience at London Waldorf School. At LWS since 2006.
Myriam Hammami

Myriam Hammami

Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Myriam is a member with the College of Early Childhood Educators (RECE), has completed Foundations Studies through the Rudolf Steiner Centre Toronto, and her Waldorf Early Childhood training with Lifeways North America. Myriam also has a B.Sc. in Biology. She has worked with children since 2000 through a variety of artistic, environmental, and outdoor education programs in addition to running a Waldorf-inspired home daycare and parent and child group. Since being at LWS, Myriam has worked in Kindergarten, Parent and Child as well as the Licensed Preschool Program. At LWS since 2012.
Marsha Horn

Marsha Horn

Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Marsha is a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) through the College of Early Childhood Educators, completing her ECE Diploma at Fanshawe College. She has completed her Foundations Studies in Anthroposophy through the Rudolf Steiner College Canada. Marsha also holds a B.A. in Human Ecology and a Minor in Sociology from Brescia (University of Western Ontario). Marsha continues her early childhood education through courses from Lifeways North America, WECAN and through teacher education courses at the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute. Marsha has many years of teaching experience at LWS. At LWS since 2015.
Elida Lika

Elida Lika

Licensed Childcare Assistant Teacher
Elida is a Registered Early Childhood Educator (Fanshawe College) and has her Bachelor of Elementary Education in the Faculty of Science from her native Albania. Elida taught Grades One to Four for six years before coming to London. She has many years of teaching experience at LWS, in various programs. At LWS since 2007.
Natalie Sanchez

Natalie Sanchez

Licensed Childcare Lead Teacher
Registered Early Childhood Educator graduated from Fanshawe College in 2015. Joined LWS as a supply teacher, after which she was hired to work in the Licensed Preschool Program, Licensed Toddler Program and Kindergarten, as well as leading our KinderCamp. Natalie continues her education at workshops offered through Lifeways North America. At LWS since 2017.

Alex Manolakos

Preschool Assistant Teacher
Alex has completed both her Waldorf Teacher Education and Foundation Studies at the Rudolf Steiner Centre (Toronto). She holds a B.A. in Disability Studies and Criminology from Western University. Alex has teaching experience with young children, ages 2-14, through running her own swim school during the summers. Since being at LWS, Alex has worked in Preschool and Kindergarten, as an EA and as an Assistant Teacher. At LWS since 2020.

Caitlin Brott

Parent & Child Lead Teacher, Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Certified Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist from Yoga Therapy Toronto, Labour/Birth and Postpartum Doula through CAPPA Canada and ECA with experience working with various age ranges at LeRoux Froebel Bilingual School in Toronto and City of Toronto run after school programs, and most recently in the TVDSB at Ryerson Public School. Caitlin has been an active parent and member within the Parent Association at LWS since 2017. At LWS since 2021.

Hayana Malta

Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Hayana is a Registered Early Childhood Educator, having completed her ECE program at Fanshawe College. Hayana is currently enrolled at Foundations Studies in Anthroposophy through the Rudolf Steiner College Canada. Hayana is originally from Rio de Janiero, Brazil. She joined LWS as a supply teacher in 2020 and since then has worked at all ECE classes as well as before and after care programs. Hayana continues her education with online workshops and courses offered by LifeWays North America and other Brazilian institutions. Some of the topics she enjoys learning more about are nature and outdoor education, diversity and inclusion, anthroposophy and the impact of media and technology on children’s development. At LWS since 2022.

Gabriela Brasil

Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Gabriela has a Degree in Pedagogy, a Postgraduate Degree in Early Years, and a Postgraduate Degree in Health and Pedagogies from the Federal University of RS in Brazil. She has worked with children in her home country for sixteen years as a Lead Team Teacher, Pedagogical Coordinator and Vice-Principal. Gabriela has been in love with the Waldorf Pedagogy since 2019 when she registered her daughter at a Waldorf School in Brazil and became a Waldorf mom. Since then, she has been dedicated to studying and reading about Waldorf Education. In addition, Gabriela is completing the last semester of the Early Childhood Program at Fanshawe. She joined LWS as a supply teacher in the ECE Program.
London Waldorf School

Jackie McMannis

Educational Assistant
Jackie is an experienced educator, caregiver, mother, and now grandmother. Jackie is originally from Manitoba, and moved to London, ON with her husband in the fall of 2012. Her son and daughter, along with their families, live in the London area as well. Back in Manitoba, Jackie spent her early-career-days as a Registered Nurse, and then moved on to be an Educational Assistant for the local school board for 14 years. Since moving to Ontario, Jackie has been an Executive Assistant and a Kindergarten teacher. Jackie loves to spend quality time with her dog, Maggie, and her family! She soaks up every moment hanging out at the pool, celebrating holidays, going on walks, and cuddling her grandson. At LWS since 2023.
London Waldorf School

Tara Cascaden

Kindergarten Assistant Teacher, After Care Provider

Grade School – Class Teachers

Natalia Popolov

Natalia Popolov

Class Teacher
Ms. Popolov’s previous work experience includes practicing Internal Medicine & Rheumatology as a physician in Moscow. She began as a parent at LWS, then volunteering in Parent & Child and two of our Kindergartens. She has assisted in our Summer Camp, in our afternoon Kindergarten program, and worked as a supply teacher in our Grade School. Natalia also teaches Aikido to children and is the founder and Lead Teacher of Russian Circle – a home-based weekly club for Russian-speaking children. At LWS since 2018.
Reka Borbely

Reka Borbely

Class Teacher / Manager, Curriculum & Pedagogy
Most recently, Reka completed her Master of Education at Western University. Prior to this, she earned her B.Ed., Catholic Teacher Training at Esztergom, Hungary, and the University of Glasgow, Scotland. She further pursued her Hungarian Primary Teaching Certificate, Ontario Teaching Certificate, and later completed the Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy course. She has taken two classes from Grades One through Eight at our school. At LWS since 2001.
Erin Poirier

Erin Poirier

Class Teacher
Erin has a B.A. with honours from the University of Guelph (majoring in English and minoring in History) and a B.Ed. from Lakehead University (Intermediate-Senior). Erin graduated her first cohort in 2017. Erin has been at LWS since 2008.
Sarah Cooper

Sarah Cooper

Class Teacher
Bachelor of Fine Arts from Queens University, Kingston. Foundation Studies and Teacher Education Certificate, Rudolf Steiner Centre Toronto. Completed three-year Healing Education and Remedial Training (HEART) at the Toronto Waldorf School. At LWS since 2006.
Imke Jorgensen

Imke Jorgensen

Class Teacher / Faculty Chairperson
After studying Anthropology, Education, and Comparative Religion at Johann Wolfgang Goethe University (Germany), Imke worked with Vietnamese refugees for five years before moving to Canada. In 2001, she joined London Waldorf School, where she initially taught Gardening and German and helped to turn three tennis courts into a naturalized playground and a school garden. She is about to graduate her second class and is currently the Faculty Chairperson.
Melissa Hambleton

Melissa Hambleton

Class Teacher (on sabbatical)
Melissa was on the Dean’s Honour List for both her Bachelor of Education, Junior/Intermediate Division (Vocal Music), and her Bachelor of Music, Honours Music Education with Distinction, which she received from Western University in 2004 and 2005. She also obtained a certificate in Special Education Part One at Western University. Teaching at LWS since 2016.
Sue McCarthy

Sue McCarthy

Class Teacher
Sue completed her Anthroposophy, Early Childhood, and Grade School studies at Rudolf Steiner Centre, Cape Town, and her BA, B.Ed. University of Natal, South Africa. She spent five years teaching high school (History and English), and ten years working with previously disadvantaged children and adults in community-run education initiatives in South Africa. Sue also spent seven years teaching in Early Childhood Education, four years of subject lesson teaching in a combined Grade Five to Eight classroom, and one year as a class teacher to cover a maternity leave before completing a full cycle from Grades One to Eight. At LWS since 2006.

Katie Van Ark

Class Teacher
Katie has been working with children for over twenty years, serving as a classroom teacher, a director and lead teacher of a gifted and talented program, and a youth librarian. She is a registered member of the Ontario College of Teachers with the additional qualification of Reading Specialist and is also an author of books for young adults. She holds master’s degrees in Education (Grand Valley State University) and Writing (Vermont College of Fine Arts) and is now excitedly embarking on courses in Waldorf pedagogy. Joining LWS in 2021.

Patricia Romero

Class Teacher
Patricia is a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) through the College of Early Childhood Educators. She has completed Foundations Studies in Anthroposophy through Rudolf Steiner College Canada. Patricia has worked in Kindergarten, Licensed Care, Camps, and Before and After Care. Patricia continues her education through courses offered by Rudolf Steiner College Canada and Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN), and is currently and is currently working towards her Waldorf Teacher Certification in Primary Grades 1 to 8.

Grade School – Specialty Teachers

Dagmar “Dasha” Kovar

Dagmar “Dasha” Kovar

Specialty Teacher - Handwork
Dasha has her M.Sc. in Chemistry from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague, and Pedagogy and Psychology for teachers, Charles University in Prague. Dasha began as a parent at LWS, then started supply teaching in our Grade School and Early Childhood Education programs for number of years. Dasha is an accomplished fibre artist. She graduated with honours from the Artist-Educator Skills Development course at the Royal Conservatory in 2009. At LWS since 2007.
Hélѐne Lau

Hélѐne Lau

French Teacher
Hélѐne grew up in France, later earning her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Neurosciences from McGill University, and an Advanced Diploma in Behavioural Sciences from St. Lawrence College, Kingston, ON. Hélѐne has experience with teaching students with special needs for 4 years in a French Elementary School in London. At LWS since 2017.

Kelvin Enns

Music and Strings Teacher
Kelvin Enns is an established teacher and musician with over 25 years of professional experience. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from Brandon University under the late Dr. Francis Chaplin. As a professional musician he has held several positions in orchestras in Canada such as Principal Viola of the Kingston Symphony Orchestra, Principal Viola of Orchestra London and now Principal Viola of London Symphonia. He also plays in a variety of other ensembles and a variety of other genres. As a teacher he has held positions in different schools, such as Forest City Suzuki, El Sistema Aeolian and adjunct faculty at Western University Music Department. At LWS since 2021.
Merwin Lewis

Merwin Lewis

Supplementary Main Lesson and Specialty Teacher
Merwin has a M.Music., M.L.S. Indiana University, and has over thirty years of experience as a teacher. He was a Board member of LWS for thirty-five years. Merwin was also a faculty member at the Rudolf Steiner Institute, Maine, for summer courses. Composer, poet, and playwright. Past Board member and present Foundations Studies Instructor, and Summer Course Instructor for the Rudolf Steiner Centre Toronto. Merwin is one of the founders of LWS.
Sandra Paterson

Sandra Paterson

Learning Resource Teacher
After graduating as Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), Sandra attended the Waldorf Teacher Education Centre in Brazil. Owned and operated a private practice as an SLP for 16 years, using Steiner methods. Sandra is also a potter. At LWS since 2012.
Corinna Sons

Corinna Sons

Music and French Teacher
Corinna has a Bachelor of Speech Science with a minor in Music, and has achieved certification in Waldorf Teaching, Foundations Studies in Anthroposophy, and Teaching German as a Foreign Language. Corinna has Waldorf experience as Grade School Teacher, Kindergarten Assistant, and Camp Leader, as well as co-teaching, German and French teaching, and teaching music. She has also previously taught high school and university level German courses in Russia. At LWS since 2018.
Berit Strasser

Berit Strasser

Specialty Teacher, Secondary Languages Coordinator, Manager, Professional Development
Berit attended Steiner Schools in Switzerland for 11 years. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Mount Allison University, 2003 (Visual Arts), and her Aromatic Medicine Diploma, 2009. Berit began teaching art at LWS as a volunteer in 2011 and has been teaching French and Art along with other subjects since 2012. Her Waldorf professional development includes “Painting Through the Grades in Waldorf School”, 2014; “Teaching Secondary languages in Waldorf Grades 1-3”, 2015; “World Languages”, 2017; Painting out of the Colour”, 2018. At LWS since 2011.
London Waldorf School

Adrian Wright

Cello Teacher
Adrian pursued his education as a cellist at the Royal Academy of Music in London, U.K. and spent many years as a member of the National Orchestra of Wales in Cardiff, U.K. Presently Adrian is enjoying a varied professional life. He is a lecturer at the Don Wright Faculty of Music in the Music Education Dept. helping aspiring high school teachers understand the cello and cello technique. He has a private studio, plays in a number of chamber ensembles and freelances, mainly with London Symphonia. At LWS since 2019.

Justin Paisley

Specialty Teacher
Justin completed his Developmental Services Worker diploma from Fanshawe College in 2008. For over a decade, in his roles as an Employment Specialist and Community Support Worker, Justin taught group classes and worked one-on-one with students and adult learners, including employment readiness workshops for youths and adults. He has vast experience supporting students and adults of all ages from grades one through high school, including persons with disabilities. At LWS since 2022.
London Waldorf School

Aimee Size

Specialty Teacher - Phys. Ed.
Aimee started working as a Lead Parent & Child Teacher at Waldorf Academy in 2019, and a Supply Teacher at London Waldorf School in both Early Childhood Education and Grade School in 2022. She completed the Life Ways course “Birth to Age Three” with Rahima Baldwin Dancy and the “Education for Balance and Resilience” conference with Jeff Tunkey. Aimee has had incredible opportunities to teach and learn through her experiences as a Waldorf teacher and parent. She joined London Waldorf School as a Specialty Teacher in 2023.

Administrative and Other Staff

Shannon Filson-McLean

Office Coordinator
Shannon earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology at Western University in 2016. She is a fundraising coordinator for Canadian Dachshund Rescue (Ontario) and comes home to her two dachshunds. After working in retail for eight years she is excited to be a part of the administrative team at London Waldorf School. At LWS since 2019.

Leigh Ann Gansevles

Manager, Development
Leigh Ann began her journey at LWS in 2010 as a parent. She was the Parent Association Co-Chair for three years before joining the Faculty as the Marketing Coordinator. Her role over the years has grown to include communications and development. Leigh Ann is excited to pioneer the role of Manager of Development at London Waldorf School this year. Leigh Ann has over 15 years of previous experience in business administration. Her previous experience includes: owning and operating a small business, events coordination, marketing, and health care administration. At LWS since 2013.

Lex Ejlerskov

Manager, Admissions and Retention
Alexandra earned her B.A. in Cultural Studies from McGill University and her M.A. in Child Study and Education from The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at University of Toronto. She is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers and has worked in education as a teacher, in administration, and as a parent volunteer. Prior to joining the community at London Waldorf school she was a parent at Waldorf Academy for three years. At LWS since 2020.

Kristen Wise

Director of Administration & Finance
Kristen holds a B.A. with minors in Psychology, and Education, and a Certificate in Liberal Arts, from SFU; and an ECE Diploma with honours, from Loyalist College. After several years teaching in preschools, she taught in the Grades at Mulberry Waldorf School, Kingston. Kristen went on to complete the program of Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy, then earned her Waldorf Teacher Education Certificate, at Rudolf Steiner College Canada. When her children started at LWS she became an active member of fair committees, then PA Co-Chair. Kristen is a former Board member and was Volunteer Coordinator for the London Down Syndrome Association. She resumed her studies in 2021, and has completed a number of certificate programs in Business, and Leadership, through Western Continuing Studies. At LWS since 2019.
Carla Young

Carla Young

Finance Administrator
For the last eight years Carla has worked as a bookkeeper and office administrator for professionals in fields such as construction, business consulting and holistic health. She is currently studying accounting at Fanshawe College. Before becoming a bookkeeper, she trained at Transformational Arts College in Toronto and practiced as a certified aromatherapist and reflexologist. She has been a member of the London Waldorf community for the last five years as a parent and volunteer. At LWS since 2021.

Susan Baxter-Peace

Administrative Clerk
Susan grew up in Nova Scotia and moved to London in 2014 with her husband and two children. She has a BA in Classics from Acadia University, as well as a certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts from George Brown College. She worked with various L'Arche Communities in Nova Scotia and Ontario for 10 years, supporting adults with intellectual disabilities in their homes and work programs. She ran a home daycare from 2014 - 2018. At LWS since 2019.

Dan Grindstaff

Maintenance Supervisor
Mr. Grindstaff or "Mr. Dan" to our youngest students is responsible for maintaining our building and grounds. He values the safety of our community, and works to ensure everything is in order to support the activities of the school. Dan is a longstanding community member, since 2000. Working at LWS since 2010.

Alice Hansen

Human Resources Generalist
Alice brings 10 years of Human Resources experience from her previous work as a Regional Supervisor for the music lesson department of a national retailer. She is a current member of the HR Professionals Association and is working toward her CHRP designation. Alice studied organizational behaviour and accounting at Fanshawe College, and holds a master’s degree in music from Western University. Before working in HR, she taught music in a wide variety of settings, from private Violin and Piano lessons to university courses in History, Harmony and Composition. Alice joined the LWS community as a parent in 2022. Working at LWS since 2022.

Maria Higa

Educational Assistant
Maria was born and raised in a small town in Brazil, and moved to Canada in 2017 with her family -- parents and three younger siblings. This big change made her fall in love with the education of young children and global citizenship. She is a lover of family, friends, life, and nature. Maria has many volunteering experiences, being one of them in partnership with the TVDSB, supporting Newcomer Families transitioning their children into Canadian Secondary Schools. She holds an Early Childhood Education Diploma with honours and many years of experience with young children. At LWS since 2022.
London Waldorf School

Aaliyah Cunha

Educational Assistant
Aaliyah Cunha graduated with honours from the Advanced Child and Youth Care program at Fanshawe College. Aaliyah started her career working as a Child and Youth Counsellor, and has experience working in the education, mental health, and non-profit sectors. Aaliyah enjoys spending her time painting, drawing, hiking in nature, and paddle boarding. Most importantly, Aaliyah enjoys her time spent with family and friends. At LWS since 2023.

Alina Subrt

Manager, Operations

Carolina Zaina

Marketing Assistant
Carolina holds master's degree in financial and economic studies, and recently graduated as a Horticulture Technician from Fanshawe College. Carolina's career journey reflects her versatility and entrepreneurial spirit. She has previously thrived in the floral design industry and also worked as a university teacher, and most recently as an integrative therapist.

Isaiah Morenzie

After Care Provider