Faculty & Staff

Swarna chandrakant, parent-child teacher | da vinci waldorf school

Parent-Child Teacher

Sarah canga, apple-blossom garden teacher, early childhood chair | faculty @ da vinci waldorf school

Apple-Blossom Garden Teacher, Early Childhood Chair

Anna zasada

Apple Blossom Garden Assistant Teacher

Sweta jaganath, sunflower garden teacher | faculty @ da vinci waldorf school

Sunflower Garden Teacher

Margaret peyton

Sunflower Garden Assistant Teacher

Sarah sasin, wonder garden assistant teacher | faculty @ da vinci waldorf school

Wonder Garden Assistant Teacher

Monika boguszewski, wonder garden teacher | faculty @ da vinci waldorf school

Wonder Garden Teacher

Libby weston

1st Grade Teacher

Shana sordyl

2nd Grade Teacher

Kirsten hundley

3rd Grade Teacher

Kevin kane, 3rd grade teacher / grades chair | faculty @ da vinci waldorf school

4th Grade Teacher / Grades Faculty Chair

Zeb wilkes

5th Grade Teacher

Chris ecklund, 5th grade teacher, faculty chair | board of trustees @ da vinci waldorf school

6th Grade Teacher

Kristine fiskum, middle school teacher | faculty @ da vinci waldorf school

7th & 8th Grade Teacher / Faculty Chair

Nicole griffith, handwork teacher/grades assistant | faculty @ da vinci waldorf school

Handwork Teacher/Grades Assistant

Laura schultz, movement/farming teacher | da vinci waldorf school

Movement/Farming Teacher

De qiu kong, mandarin teacher | da vinci waldorf school

Mandarin Teacher

Jim may

Language Arts Teacher

Mirja lorenz, music teacher | da vinci waldorf school

Music Teacher For Lower Grades

Kris boshell, extra lesson teacher | da vinci waldorf school

Extra Lesson Teacher

Chandrika bar-zvi

Beforecare & Aftercare Teacher

Nila stokes

Aftercare Teacher

Laine ambrose, ex officio, co-administrator | board of trustees @ da vinci waldorf school

Administrator

Magdalena cooper

Assistant to the Administrator

Blair picone | pedagogical & grades support, awsna rep | da vinci waldorf school

Pedagogical Support

Morgan branson, co-administrator | administration @ da vinci waldorf school

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Nicole javvaji

Marketing & Enrollment Administrative Assistant

 

Early Childhood Faculty


Margaret Myren, Parent-Child Teacher, Early Childhood Chair

 

Margaret is delighted to share the wonder of Waldorf Early Childhood with our newest parents. She continues to be greatly inspired by the beauty and wonder of the Waldorf Early Childhood learning and growing environment. Raising four boys over the last twenty plus years, she realizes how a calm atmosphere and predictable daily rhythm are foundations for a happy, safe, and nurturing home life. As Parent-Child teacher, she delights in reliving—again and again—the awe and beauty of childhood through the children’s eyes! She draws from her years of experience, striving to learn, integrate, fail, and re-learn how to more fully live a reassuring Waldorf life with her boys, and from her numerous duties as a volunteer in nearly every aspect of the school over the past 15 years.

Having earned bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and International Business, she happily left her international job to conscientiously raise her children. A certified yoga instructor, Margaret teaches yoga classes weekly and enjoys practicing the violin, which she plays and sings in a rock band with other Waldorf families.

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Sarah Canga, Apple-Blossom Garden Teacher

 

Sarah has been practicing healing arts for over 15 years as a massage therapist, acupuncturist, herbalist, yoga teacher as well as an adjunct professor at College of Lake County, Oakton Community College, and National University of Health Sciences. She was first introduced to Waldorf education over 5 years ago and promptly joined the Parent-Child class at Da Vinci Waldorf School with her oldest child. The program helped transform family life in so many enriching ways—including turning the screens off, more family meals made together from scratch, and a deeper appreciation of nature. Sarah is honored to be teaching the Wonder Garden, where she gets to see even more the richness of Waldorf education manifested in the work of childhood and the growth of children every day.

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Felicia Ramon, Apple-Blossom Garden Assistant

 

Felicia began her journey into education 4 years ago. She feels blessed everyday to work with children and their parents. She has a passion for early childhood education and continues to learn as much as she can, to provide the best experience for our youngest learners. Felicia is a mom of 3 (who attend DVWS) and a wife. Her family loves being outdoors!

She brings love, patience, and kindness to DVWS. Felicia has been practicing healing arts for over 15 years as a massage therapist, acupuncturist, herbalist, yoga teacher as well as an adjunct professor at College of Lake County, Oakton Community College, and National University of Health Sciences. She was first introduced to Waldorf education over 5 years ago and promptly joined the Parent-Child class at Da Vinci Waldorf School with her oldest child. The program helped transform family life in so many enriching ways—including turning the screens off, more family meals made together from scratch, and a deeper appreciation of nature. Sarah is honored to be an assistant in the Wonder Garden classroom, where she gets to see even more the richness of Waldorf education manifested in the work of childhood and the growth of children every day.

Sweta Jaganath, Wonder Garden Teacher

 

Sweta came to the United States from India to pursue her Masters in Pharmacy. In 2010, she enthusiastically found her way to Da Vinci Waldorf into a Parent Child class with her son, based on a friend’s recommendation. She was instantly drawn to the holistic education which Waldorf offers while preserving the spirit to learn in children. Her volunteer work as a teacher in summer camps brought out her passion for working with early childhood ages. Sweta is honored and pleased to serve the little ones in different ways, caring for their needs and enjoying watching them bloom.  In her spare time, she loves to oil paint, bake, spend time in nature and explore self-awareness work which supports healing and creativity.

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Sarah Sasin, Wonder Garden Assistant

 

Sarah has always had a passion for working with young children and has been studying early childhood education for the past few years. She has learned a great deal about child development and is grateful to be at Da Vinci Waldorf School. Sarah has a daughter who is in the Early Childhood program.

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Monika Boguszewski, Sunflower Garden Teacher

 

Monika was born and raised in Poland. She graduated with Masters of Arts from Music Academy with dual degree as music and piano teacher and music therapist. From her early years she knew that she wanted to work as a teacher, as she always enjoyed sharing her knowledge and passion with others. When she grew up, her dream came true when she began facilitating piano lessons for multiple students as well as conducting rhythmic activities at early childhood education centers and preschools.

Monika has completed the first year of Rudolph Steiner school and has a strong desire to continue with this training program to gain additional skills and knowledge in the field of education and become an even more versatile teacher. Monika enjoys working with children of all ages, from little ones to teenagers. She feels it is fascinating to watch them grow and change over years, and enjoys contributing to the shaping of their young characters. This is Monika’s first year with Da Vinci Waldorf School and she is very excited to serve as Mr. Kevin’s assistant in the Apple Blossom Garden.

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Noelle Andrianopoulos-Kamczynski, Sunflower Garden Assistant

 

Noelle grew up in Illinois, and lived in Cincinnati and Greece before returning to visit in 2012 and meeting her husband. Her son is in the Early Childhood program at DVWS. Noelle quickly adopted the ways of the Waldorf curriculum into her home, and went back to school for early childhood education in January 2020.

Her passions include traveling, vegan cooking, hiking, yoga, and preserving the magic of childhood within her home. She has been a certified yoga instructor since 2009, teaching at multiple locations over the years, as well as volunteering as a Big Sister while living in Cincinnati. In her spare time, Noelle enjoys hosting Yoga/Dinner nights for friends and family, exploring nearby nature and faraway places alike, reading, celebrating seasons and holidays, and kicking off weekends baking sweets every Friday with her son. She is excited to be joining the Da Vinci Waldorf family as a teaching assistant and soaking up all there is to learn from both adults and little ones.

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Tuly Faden, Wonder Garden Assistant / Grades Farm & Garden Teacher / Grades Movement Teacher

 

Tuly was introduced to Waldorf education while she was pursuing her bachelor’s degree in biodynamic farming at Warmorderhof College in Holland. She was intrigued by it and upon coming to the U.S., she worked as an early childhood assistant for the Chicago Waldorf School from 1983-1985. Having an interest in finance, Tuly worked for nineteen years as a bookkeeper for a synagogue in Evanston. Tuly has experience in beekeeping, biodynamic farming and over six years of experience coaching. She started teaching movement and farming at Da Vinci Waldorf School in 2015. Tuly loves instilling in the children her passion for working with the earth and learning from it, and the relationship that comes from doing that work.

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Grades Class Teachers


 

 

Kiaya Memeo, 1st Grade Teacher

 

Kiaya Memeo has been a teacher in educational environments for over 10 years with a strong base in early childhood and homeschooling. She has been weaving the values of Waldorf education into her teaching style and family life and is looking forward to developing a greater understanding of Anthroposophy and Waldorf Principles. Kiaya and her husband have 3 children who attend DVWS. Kiaya and her youngest daughter attended Parent-Child with Ms. Margaret and she spent time observing the Mighty Oaks and was a substitute for First Grade before she began teaching.

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Kevin Kane, 2nd Grade Teacher / Grades Chair

 

Kevin learned about Waldorf education when his daughter started preschool at the Chicago Waldorf School. He appreciated the emphasis on periods of free play as well as the reverence for the rhythm of the day for the children. He also loved how much time they received to just play outside, getting muddy and wet. After his family moved out of the city, they planned on continuing at Da Vinci Waldorf School. In 2017, when his daughter began in Sunflower Garden, Kevin started taking his son to Parent-Child classes. Over the next year and a half of Parent-Child classes, Kevin witnessed the simple beauty of the children making rolls together, playing with natural materials in the class, singing songs and rhymes with one another, and watching puppet plays from the teacher. Having earned his Bachelor’s Degree in English from Western Michigan University and his Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Columbia College Chicago, Kevin also appreciates the importance of stories and story-telling in the curriculum. He attends teacher training at the Waldorf Teacher Institute of Chicago. Kevin enjoys cooking, baking, and writing, but he especially loves watching his kids get muddy catching toads, running barefoot through the grass, and now taking care of their chickens.

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Chris Ecklund, 3rd & 4th Grades Teacher / Faculty Chair

 

Chris’ love of teaching began in high school with a Saturday school program that offered lessons to middle school students taught by high schoolers. With a Bachelor’s degree in studio art, an Illinois teaching certificate, and a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Waldorf, Chris has been an educator for more than ten years teaching art in both public and home school settings before finding her way to Waldorf education. While completing a Master’s degree at the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute in Milwaukee in conjunction with Mount Mary University, She has worked as the parent chair of the PTO, a board member, an early childhood faculty member, and a grade school substitute teacher at Da Vinci Waldorf School and art instructor at Tamarack Waldorf High School. Chris is passionate about offering opportunities for artistic expression to people of all ages, but especially enjoys working with children as they grow and develop. Her favorite activities include printmaking, sculpture, cooking, gardening, and sharing music with her family.

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Blair Picone, Early Grades Co-Teacher

 

Blair was born and raised in Illinois.  She has lived in California and Nevada while traveling the world for over 15 years in the touring production/ live event industry.  
 
Blair and her family relocated to the midwest recently after 4 years in the San Francisco/ Bay Area.  It was there Blair was introduced to Waldorf education through parent child classes at Berkeley Rose Waldorf school with her daughter, now 4 years old.  
 
Blair was inspired by Waldorf Education and enrolled in the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training.  She has since transferred to Great Lakes Waldorf Institute and Mount Mary University and will soon complete her Waldorf training and Masters program. 
 
Blair comes from a long line of educators and is eager to tap the tree of all the wonderful knowledge and resources around her.  In her free time she loves hiking with her family and swimming.  

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Kristine Fiskum, 5th & 6th Grades Teacher

 

Kristine began her time with Da Vinci Waldorf school as a parent in 2001. Her interest in the school grew quickly and soon she worked in administration and served on the board. She began teaching math and substituting in various classes, and soon found her interest in teaching in full bloom. She completed her Waldorf training in Extra Lesson with the Association of a Healing Education in 2008. Kristine brings to her teaching ten years of experience as a photojournalist for the Chicago Tribune, The Associated Press, and other publications. She earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin in 1995. All this time looking through the lens has given her a keen ability to observe children play, move, and learn. Helping students overcome learning difficulties, and helping parents understand and support their children brings her tremendous joy. Photography remains a passion for Kristine, as well as writing, cooking, and other arts. She loves a good book, philosophical discussions, and a quiet walk in nature.

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Grades Subjects

Elizabeth English, Music Teacher / Orchestra Teacher / 8th Grade Handwork Teacher

 

Elizabeth’s life has revolved around the arts, and Waldorf teaching seemed a natural fit for her. Elizabeth has extensive training and experience in dance, flute, voice, piano, acting and the culinary arts. She also has had a lifelong interest in fashion design, with decades of experience in pattern making and as a seamstress, which led to developing both a costume business and her own clothing line. Elizabeth was introduced to Waldorf education by a dear friend who founded Da Vinci (as Water’s Edge School), and was immediately drawn to it. She began teaching music and handwork in 2003, and soon found herself taking a grade school class. Elizabeth completed her Waldorf grade school teacher certification at Sunbridge College in Spring Valley, NY. While there she furthered her knowledge in anthroposophic music, studying instrument making under Manfred Bleffert and flute/recorder training under Pär Ahlbom, creator of Choroi Flutes. Elizabeth has taught music and orchestra for many years, and has also been a class teacher and taught handwork at Da Vinci. She has taught music to adult students at the Waldorf Teacher Institute (formerly Arcturus) in Chicago since 2012, and mentors other Waldorf schools in music and general curriculum. Elizabeth’s passion is in working with children and adults alike and in bringing new music to the world. In her spare time, one may find Elizabeth occasionally cooking a special menu at a local café, singing in a choir, acting or building an instrument.

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Nicole Griffith, Assistant Teacher / Grades Handwork Teacher

 

Nicole was a volunteer at first, then was hired to serve as an assistant in the early childhood program in 2004. Soon after, she took on the Handwork teaching position as well, and attended an intensive practical arts training at the West Coast Institute on Vancouver Island, Canada. Having formerly earned a BA in German Language and Literature from the University of Illinois, Nicole’s most cherished educational experiences came while earning a certificate in the Practical Arts at the Fiber Craft Studio in Chestnut Ridge, New York. She completed her training in 2015. Nicole’s experiences with the children and the dedication of a small but determined community make her feel part of something truly special at Da Vinci Waldorf School. Nicole finds balance and enjoyment tending her home and the native gardens around it. Nature has long been a source of replenishment and inspiration for her, which she brings to the classroom through story, color in a skein of plant-dyed yarn, and the circle of the seasons. She is continually grateful for the gift of spending time in the presence of the children. Her favorite moment: when a child first sees that his hands can create something beautiful, useful and new.

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Administration


 

 

Marianne Fieber, Administrator

 

Marianne has been working in Anthroposophical or Waldorf School environments for over 25 years. She has served as a grades teacher, adult educator, administrator and mentor. She has developed programs, designed events, presented at conferences and led an accreditation process. She has worked with numerous committees, boards and organizational leaders including the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). Life has presented her with many opportunities to engage in community co-creation, be it in classrooms, Waldorf communities, organizations, local villages, or with artistic projects.

She has been serving on the Central Regional Council of the Anthroposophical Society in America since 2007 and represents the region on the national General Council. Her commitment to this work is deep and allows her to live a life that is dedicated to building a future worthy of humanity.

Marianne’s background in the Performing Arts has laid the foundation for her life and work. She earned a BFA in Theater from the University of MN-Duluth. She performed on stage for decades in Chicago and internationally with touring productions. Her further training and experience in Waldorf School Administration and pedagogy have built upon this foundation. She earned an MS Ed in Waldorf Administration and Community Development from Sunbridge College, Spring Valley, NY, and her Waldorf Teaching Certification from Arcturus Rudolf Steiner Education Program in Chicago. She is delighted to be working with the Grades students in Speech and Drama this year.

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Laine Ambrose, Enrollment & Pupil Services Administrative Assistant

 

Laine is a mom to two boys who attend Da Vinci Waldorf School. Her previous experience as a nanny and nurse make her an invaluable asset to our school. Her kind and warm demeanor puts all of the children at ease. She loves being around children and is passionate about Waldorf philosophy and its values. Her hobbies include reading, baking and being outdoors.

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Morgan Branson, Front Desk/Marketing & Communications

 

Morgan has a B.A. in Psychology and English from Augustana College. She has a M.A. in Professional Counseling and is a certified Meditation Teacher. Morgan spent several years in higher education in various departments – Academic Advising, Student Finance, Student Affairs and Student Activities. After leaving higher education to raise her babies, Morgan found herself loving being the part-time Social Media and Marketing Coordinator for a local Yoga studio. Her dream was to use her skills at DVWS where she has 3 children in the Grades program. She believes wholeheartedly in the Waldorf philosophy and is happy to spread the word about the school. She is passionate about DVWS, spending time outdoors with her family, meditation, and spending time with her family’s gaggle of pets at home! She is excited to support DVWS in its mission to create well-rounded, independent thinkers for the future.

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Amnon Bar-Zvi, Bookkeeping

 

Amnon has over 20 years of accounting experience. He is new to his DVWS Bookkeeper role, but hardly new to DVWS. He and his wife Chandrika (Before and After School Care) have been connected with other Waldorf Schools through their children and two of their children attended DVWS back when it was Water’s Edge Waldorf School.
As a parent, he provided cleaning and landscaping services and now brings his business skills to support our mission. Amnon practices both Yoga and Aikido.

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Gabriela and Ziggy Brylkowksa , School Cleaners

 

Gabriela and Ziggy are Da Vinci Waldorf School’s husband and wife cleaners. They lovingly care for our school and work behind-the-scenes to keep it clean and nice for all.

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