PEDAGOGICAL and OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATOR
Paula Thompson
Paula brings a breadth and depth of expertise from her 26 years of experience in Waldorf education as a Grades’ Classroom Teacher and Cedar Springs Waldorf School’s (CSWS’s) former Pedagogical Chair.
Paula provides pedagogical and operational administrative leadership for the Learning Center overall.
While at CSWS, she was an active member and leader on the College of Teachers, Faculty, and Board of Trustees using a consensus-based decision model for key decisions.
She developed and mentored Faculty, and offered many parent education programs throughout the years.
She graduated with a major in journalism, specializing in advertising copywriting, and a minor in marketing. Although she had a very successful career in advertising in both Boston and New York City, Paula consciously chose to pursue a teaching career after nearly 20 years in advertising.
After graduating from Rudolf Steiner College, she joined the faculty at Cedar Springs.
She enjoys spending time with friends and her beloved black labrador, Cooper.
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Enrollment
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ADMINistrative
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Paula brings a breadth and depth of expertise from her 26 years of experience in Waldorf education as a Grades’ Classroom Teacher and Cedar Springs Waldorf School’s (CSWS’s) former Pedagogical Chair.
Paula provides pedagogical and operational administrative leadership for the Learning Center overall.
While at CSWS, she was an active member and leader on the College of Teachers, Faculty, and Board of Trustees using a consensus-based decision model for key decisions.
She developed and mentored Faculty, and offered many parent education programs throughout the years.
She graduated with a major in journalism, specializing in advertising copywriting, and a minor in marketing. Although she had a very successful career in advertising in both Boston and New York City, Paula consciously chose to pursue a teaching career after nearly 20 years in advertising.
After graduating from Rudolf Steiner College, she joined the faculty at Cedar Springs.
She enjoys spending time with friends and her beloved black labrador, Cooper.
Maddie went to a Waldorf school for the majority of her elementary education and has been grateful for it ever since. She then went on to become a teacher and taught at Waldorf-inspired schools. She believes that Waldorf pedagogy brings an incredible richness, depth, and beauty to a child’s education and sets them up for immense success.
After having her own child and pausing her teaching career, she found Cedar Springs. She is thrilled to be supporting families on the enrollment side now, helping them take their first steps into Waldorf education.
When not working, she loves spending time outside with her husband and two year old, camping and backpacking, exploring farmers markets, and finding the best local coffee shops.
Ivana was born and raised in a quaint town in the Czech Republic. Her passion for discovering new parts of the world brought her to California. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in business and worked in a professional high-tech environment for nearly two decades.
After becoming a mother, she became a full-time stay-at-home & homeschooling mom. Gravitating towards holistic teaching methods and being “unplugged” from the high-tech led her to the amazing world of Waldorf education. Ivana is very grateful to be a part of the Cedar Springs Learning Center team.
OUR FACULTY
Lily Kindergarten
VERONICA GUNASEKARA
Ms. Veronica has had a heart connection with young children since she herself was a teen. She explored lay midwifery as an assistant before moving into the field of child development. She obtained a Montessori certificate, before finding her vocation in Waldorf education.
Over her 30 years of service she has been an assistant, Parent-Child teacher and lead Kindergarten teacher at the Waldorf School of San Diego. She ran a Waldorf-inspired family home daycare program and co-owned a small business, Home Grown Babies, holding doll-making, plant dyeing and crafting workshops for the community, with their littles underfoot.
Ms. Veronica’s four children began their education at the Waldorf School of San Diego before they moved to the Northern California foothills, where she became Lead Kindergarten teacher at Cedar Springs. Her children all graduated from Waldorf high schools.
Ms. Veronica is looking forward to continuing to serve the unique needs of the young children of today, which includes her two precious granddaughters.
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Lily KG Assistant
Christl Michele
Christl fell in love with Cedar Springs the first time she stepped onto the campus and into Ms. Veronica's Lily Kindergarten back in the winter of 2010 as an observer from the Rudolf Steiner teaching program. She's a native Southern Californian but has lived in Northern California since 2000.
She graduated with a B.A. in Humanities from UC Irvine and explored various careers before finding her niche as an Early Childhood teacher at Cedar Springs, which has easily been the most gratifying work she's done. After getting her teaching certificate, she felt privileged to work as Veronica's KG assistant her first year, then moved on as the lead teacher in the Morning Glory preschool, as well as working in the Parent-Child program and 3rd Grade Handwork.
She retired after the COVID school closure, but couldn't stay away... she's looking forward to being with Veronica and the children as KG Assistant in Lily Kindergarten this year!
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Rose Kindergarten
INGE STOLL
Inge grew up in Germany, finishing her school years as a goldsmith journeyman. As an au pair, she relocated to the U.S. with a family that eventually became her own. Her incredible love for children led her to operate an in-home daycare for seven years.
Later, while working her way up the ladder in a pharmaceutical company, she found that the Waldorf Teacher Training classes combined her experiences in an exciting way.
Inge raised four children who are all Sacramento Waldorf graduates and enjoys her two grandchildren. She has been at Cedar Springs for 13 years.
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Rose KG Assistant
AUTUMN BROWN
Autumn is a true local; she was born and raised in El Dorado County and is raising her young family here. Helping and caring for people was something Autumn had always wanted to do from childhood.
She was planning a nursing career until the birth of her first son when she decided she wanted to stay closer to him while he was young. She became a licensed Massage Therapist and worked in that field for many years.
Autumn herself went to Montessori school through 6th grade and then attended public school. She and her mother came to Parent-Child classes at Cedar Springs Waldorf School when she was very young, and she still has a warm memory of her first Festival here.
When she became a mother she knew that’s where she wanted her children to attend. This is Autumn’s second year as Ms. Inge’s assistant and Autumn also works in our Extended Care program. She enjoys the collaborative, nature-based way our school nurtures the children.
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Ms. Veronica has had a heart connection with young children since she herself was a teen. She explored lay midwifery as an assistant before moving into the field of child development. She obtained a Montessori certificate, before finding her vocation in Waldorf education.
Over her 30 years of service she has been an assistant, Parent-Child teacher and lead Kindergarten teacher at the Waldorf School of San Diego. She ran a Waldorf-inspired family home daycare program and co-owned a small business, Home Grown Babies, holding doll-making, plant dyeing and crafting workshops for the community, with their littles underfoot.
Ms. Veronica’s four children began their education at the Waldorf School of San Diego before they moved to the Northern California foothills, where she became Lead Kindergarten teacher at Cedar Springs. Her children all graduated from Waldorf high schools.
Ms. Veronica is looking forward to continuing to serve the unique needs of the young children of today, which includes her two precious granddaughters.
Christl fell in love with Cedar Springs the first time she stepped onto the campus and into Ms. Veronica's Lily Kindergarten back in the winter of 2010 as an observer from the Rudolf Steiner teaching program. She's a native Southern Californian but has lived in Northern California since 2000.
She graduated with a B.A. in Humanities from UC Irvine and explored various careers before finding her niche as an Early Childhood teacher at Cedar Springs, which has easily been the most gratifying work she's done. After getting her teaching certificate, she felt privileged to work as Veronica's KG assistant her first year, then moved on as the lead teacher in the Morning Glory preschool, as well as working in the Parent-Child program and 3rd Grade Handwork.
She retired after the COVID school closure, but couldn't stay away... she's looking forward to being with Veronica and the children as KG Assistant in Lily Kindergarten this year!
Inge grew up in Germany, finishing her school years as a goldsmith journeyman. As an au pair, she relocated to the U.S. with a family that eventually became her own. Her incredible love for children led her to operate an in-home daycare for seven years.
Later, while working her way up the ladder in a pharmaceutical company, she found that the Waldorf Teacher Training classes combined her experiences in an exciting way.
Inge raised four children who are all Sacramento Waldorf graduates and enjoys her two grandchildren. She has been at Cedar Springs for 13 years.
Autumn is a true local; she was born and raised in El Dorado County and is raising her young family here. Helping and caring for people was something Autumn had always wanted to do from childhood.
She was planning a nursing career until the birth of her first son when she decided she wanted to stay closer to him while he was young. She became a licensed Massage Therapist and worked in that field for many years.
Autumn herself went to Montessori school through 6th grade and then attended public school. She and her mother came to Parent-Child classes at Cedar Springs Waldorf School when she was very young, and she still has a warm memory of her first Festival here.
When she became a mother she knew that’s where she wanted her children to attend. This is Autumn’s second year as Ms. Inge’s assistant and Autumn also works in our Extended Care program. She enjoys the collaborative, nature-based way our school nurtures the children.
FIRST GRADE
MAGGIE FICHTNER
Many of our community members may recognize Maggie as she was our beloved Handwork Teacher (grades 1-4) last year and has been our intrepid summer camp teacher for the grades.
Maggie is a fully trained Waldorf teacher with over 10 years of Waldorf classroom experience. She is also the mother of 3 boys who attended Cedar Springs Waldorf School. We are thrilled to have her at the helm of this year's first grade Cedar Class.
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SECOND GRADE
robin schulz
Robin is a teacher who has brought her experience and knowledge to both schools in a traditional environment and in the homeschool setting. A teacher and mentor in many capacities for over 15 years, Robin worked in charter schools, private schools, and in homes, both teaching classes and as a private teacher.
As the creator of the company Waldorf Inspired by Robin, she developed and implemented a curriculum to suit the needs of her students and their parents. She brings her experience working with children of all ages with an emphasis on "lighting the fire" in each student. Robin strives to bring out the natural passion for learning that she believes is innate in all human beings.
Robin homeschooled both of her now grown children using Waldorf curriculum and is a graduate from USC.
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THIRD GRADE
danielle JOY MURPHY FARIS
Danielle is pleased to be supporting the Elm Class this Fall after a Summer filled with multiple trainings, mentoring, and preparations. Danielle's formal education includes her AA in Child Development, BA in Contemplative Psychology and Early Childhood Education, and MA in Holistic Education and Nutrition. She is also a Certified Parenting Coach through the Jai Institute, and is on the path to becoming a Certified RIE Associate.
Danielle is a graduate of Sacramento Waldorf School, and worked previously at Cedar Springs Waldorf School in 2012, as well as spearheaded the Parent-Child programs at Davis Waldorf School, Camellia Waldorf School, and BeeLoved Farm Waldorf School.
She enjoys spending time outdoors with family, crafting, small-scale gardening, being with her pets, and sharing Waldorf with others. Her son Haakon will be entering the Second Grade Class.
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Many of our community members may recognize Maggie as she was our beloved Handwork Teacher (grades 1-4) last year and has been our intrepid summer camp teacher for the grades.
Maggie is a fully trained Waldorf teacher with over 10 years of Waldorf classroom experience. She is also the mother of 3 boys who attended Cedar Springs Waldorf School. We are thrilled to have her at the helm of this year's first grade Cedar Class.
Robin is a teacher who has brought her experience and knowledge to both schools in a traditional environment and in the homeschool setting. A teacher and mentor in many capacities for over 15 years, Robin worked in charter schools, private schools, and in homes, both teaching classes and as a private teacher.
As the creator of the company Waldorf Inspired by Robin, she developed and implemented a curriculum to suit the needs of her students and their parents. She brings her experience working with children of all ages with an emphasis on "lighting the fire" in each student. Robin strives to bring out the natural passion for learning that she believes is innate in all human beings.
Robin homeschooled both of her now grown children using Waldorf curriculum and is a graduate from USC.
Danielle is pleased to be supporting the Elm Class this Fall after a Summer filled with multiple trainings, mentoring, and preparations. Danielle's formal education includes her AA in Child Development, BA in Contemplative Psychology and Early Childhood Education, and MA in Holistic Education and Nutrition. She is also a Certified Parenting Coach through the Jai Institute, and is on the path to becoming a Certified RIE Associate.
Danielle is a graduate of Sacramento Waldorf School, and worked previously at Cedar Springs Waldorf School in 2012, as well as spearheaded the Parent-Child programs at Davis Waldorf School, Camellia Waldorf School, and BeeLoved Farm Waldorf School.
She enjoys spending time outdoors with family, crafting, small-scale gardening, being with her pets, and sharing Waldorf with others. Her son Haakon will be entering the Second Grade Class.
FOURTH/FIFTH GRADE
CAITLIN AMAJOR
Caitlin Amajor is excited to explore the 5th grade curriculum this year! After receiving a BA in History with a European Concentration from UC Santa Cruz, Caitlin gained her certification in Waldorf teaching from Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, CA. As a class teacher in the upper grades, teaching grades 5-8 over a period of seven years, she gained a deep love for the middle school curriculum and all that it entails. Some of her favorite subjects to teach are Geometry, Physics, Painting, and History. Over the past seven years, Caitlin has worked for Waldorfish.com as a course creator and instructor, as well as an administrative assistant. This work has cultivated a connection with the homeschooling community, and expanded her ability to bring Waldorf curriculum to a wider community through new and creative methods. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys spending time with her family, baking, and traveling.
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SEVENTH Grade
melissa hiatt
Melissa’s career began as an exhibition designer for museums in California and New Mexico and evolved into curatorial writing for art catalogs and books. She has been published as an art writer and critic in magazines and newspapers.
Melissa was a class teacher at Davis Waldorf School before joining the High School Humanities Department at Sacramento Waldorf School in 2010 and is Pedagogical Director at Waldorfologies.com, a Waldorf High School resource for homeschooling families and teachers. Melissa is a graduate of UC Davis.
She lives on an oak-studded hillside in Shingle Springs with her family, eight chickens, six sheep, two dogs, two cats, and a flock of wild turkeys.
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Caitlin Amajor is excited to explore the 5th grade curriculum this year! After receiving a BA in History with a European Concentration from UC Santa Cruz, Caitlin gained her certification in Waldorf teaching from Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, CA. As a class teacher in the upper grades, teaching grades 5-8 over a period of seven years, she gained a deep love for the middle school curriculum and all that it entails. Some of her favorite subjects to teach are Geometry, Physics, Painting, and History. Over the past seven years, Caitlin has worked for Waldorfish.com as a course creator and instructor, as well as an administrative assistant. This work has cultivated a connection with the homeschooling community, and expanded her ability to bring Waldorf curriculum to a wider community through new and creative methods. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys spending time with her family, baking, and traveling.
Melissa’s career began as an exhibition designer for museums in California and New Mexico and evolved into curatorial writing for art catalogs and books. She has been published as an art writer and critic in magazines and newspapers.
Melissa was a class teacher at Davis Waldorf School before joining the High School Humanities Department at Sacramento Waldorf School in 2010 and is Pedagogical Director at Waldorfologies.com, a Waldorf High School resource for homeschooling families and teachers. Melissa is a graduate of UC Davis.
She lives on an oak-studded hillside in Shingle Springs with her family, eight chickens, six sheep, two dogs, two cats, and a flock of wild turkeys.
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Our Board is comprised of faculty, staff and volunteer alumni parents and current parents
who dedicate their time and expertise to support the Learning Center.
who dedicate their time and expertise to support the Learning Center.
JIM CURTISBoard President
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larry palleyTreasurer
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paula thompsonPedagogical & Ops Admin
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veronica gunasekaraCollege of Teachers Rep
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Melissa HiattFaculty Rep
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matt
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lisa
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Christine
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Rebecca soudersMember-at-Large
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