Faculty and Staff
Whistler Waldorf School’s faculty consists of all teachers employed at the school and is responsible for delivering the Waldorf curriculum to the students. Our Administration Team works together to support the Faculty of Teachers, Board of Trustees, and Parent Council and ensures the smooth functioning of daily operations of the school, including admissions, implementation of BC Ministry of Education policies, enrollment, facility management, community relations, and marketing.
ADMINISTRATION | HIGH SCHOOL | GRADE SCHOOL | STUDENT SUPPORT | EARLY YEARS
Administration
Arnold Grimm: Director of Education
Mr. Grimm joined Whistler Waldorf as Director of Education in 2015. Arnold has been a Waldorf educator, teacher and administrator for 20 years. After studying geography and doing graduate work in theology, psychology and social work, he discovered his love for children and education. As an alumnus of the Vancouver Waldorf School, Arnold took up Waldorf teacher training in Germany and remained there as a class teacher and administrator. Upon his return to his alma mater in 2008, he worked as an administrator and class teacher. Over the years, Arnold has been involved in a multitude of tasks around Waldorf Schools which include class teaching, mentoring of teachers and schools, as well as evaluations of teachers and serving on and chairing External Evaluation Committees for the Ministry of Education. Arnold’s deep connection to Waldorf Education and anthroposophy, as well as dedication to work with government brings a unique skill set to our school. He is the British Columbia Sub-Regional Representative for the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America and represents President of the Associate Member Group on the Board for the Federation of Independent Schools Associations of BC.
Catherine Daugherty: Director of Administration
For 17 years, Catherine has been helping small, independent schools advance their mission in the various senior leadership roles that she has carried. Her background includes marketing, new business development, finance, and human resources, working with senior leaders in the corporate sector before finding her passion in education and helping to grow Waldorf pre-K to 8 and pre-K to 12 schools in Ontario.
She became our Director of Administration in September 2017 and is working closely with the Director of Education and Board of Trustees in holding a big picture vision for the school, a role she feels will test and hone her skills. As a strategic leader, the most rewarding part of her work is identifying and addressing organizational issues that help a school to thrive, and as a fundraiser, it is helping donors to discover the joy in their gift.
Originally from the UK, Catherine is a life-long-learner and has recently graduated from the University of Guelph with a Masters of Arts in Leadership. Prior to that she completed the Waldorf Collaborative Leadership program at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in conjunction with Antioch University in the Spring of 2006. She has been on the board of directors at Trillium Waldorf School in Guelph, the Rudolf Steiner Centre, Toronto and now Whistler Waldorf School (ex-officio). Her two daughters are Waldorf graduates.
For fun, Catherine is passionate about the outdoors both in rural and urban settings, hanging out in art galleries, and exploring local food markets.
Vicky Bunbury: Strategic Initiatives Director, New Campus Task Force
Ms. Bunbury is one of the founding parents of Whistler Waldorf School. She has been part of growing Whistler Waldorf School from three home-schooled students in 1999 to a full program school offering preschool to Grade 12. Fifteen years of experience as Manager of the Whistler Kids children’s ski school on Whistler Mountain followed by Manager of Planning for Whistler Kids programs and facilities on both mountains, gives her ample experience to help strategically support the school’s New Campus Task Force.
In addition to her role at Whistler Waldorf School, Vicky is one of eight regional representatives on the Leadership Council for the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America. She represents the Pacific Northwest region, stretching from Alaska to Oregon. She also served for four years on the Board of Trustees of the Vancouver Waldorf School.
Jennifer Dodds: Admissions Manager
Ms. Dodds serves as our Admissions Manager. She has a Bachelor of Arts as well as a Masters of Arts Education. She has six years of non-profit administrative experience and extensive experience working in the education sector. Jen has been involved with Waldorf education since 2006 and currently has three daughters enrolled in the school. In addition to being a Waldorf parent, she is also a certified Simplicity Parenting Coach. Her door is always open and she warmly welcomes ideas on how we can further deepen our collective understanding of Waldorf education and child development through Parent Enrichment offerings and how we can cultivate increased community connection.
Romy Grayson: Registrar / Reception
Ms. Grayson joined Whistler Waldorf in November 2016. She has worked as a certified Carpenter in the Whistler area for the past 10 years and prior to that, was an Administrative Assistant and Event Manager for over 13 years. Romy was born in Eastern Germany and grew up in Stuttgart. She decided to come to Whistler with her dog ten years ago on a Work and Travel Permit and never left. She now has a daughter attending the school.
Eva Bergersen: Finance Manager
Emma Wardrop: High School Humanities Department
Ms. Wardrop joined Whistler Waldorf School’s High School Humanities Department in 2015. Emma moved to Whistler in 2014, being drawn to the beautiful natural landscapes and the spirit of adventure surrounding the mountains. She completed her undergraduate studies in English and History at Queen’s University, and then moved to New Zealand where she attained her Graduate Diploma in Teaching at the University of Otago. She gained teaching experience in New Zealand at International Baccalaureate and mainstream high schools. Emma is currently working towards her Waldorf teacher training in New Hampshire.
Emma has always had a passion for teaching and working with youth, whether as a coach, camp counsellor, ESL teacher, or mentor for those in her community. She has coached high school soccer teams, and was a provincial level soccer player. She enjoys the curiosity and vigour with which teens approach the world about them, and is drawn to the Waldorf approach due to its focus on encouraging the discovery of truth and beauty. Emma has a deep love for literature and stories which nourish our understanding of life, and enjoys writing in her free time. She loves being able to ski, bike, explore and play in the mountains she now calls home, and is thrilled to be welcomed into the vibrant Waldorf community.
Lucien Power: High School Math and Science Department; High School Chair
After graduating from Wynstones Steiner school in Gloucester, England, Mr. Power spent a year working for a geotechnical engineering company. This sparked his interest in engineering and he went on to study civil engineering at the University of Nottingham. During this time, Lucien also worked for an engineering company in London, England. He continued working in the engineering field after graduating until he decided that working with children and teenagers was his passion. After enrolling at the University of Gloucester and completing the Post Graduate Certificate of Education, Mr. Power spent a few years teaching in state (public) schools until 2009 when he moved to Vancouver to teach at the Vancouver Waldorf School. There he taught physics, chemistry and maths as well as serving as guardian to the recently graduated class. Lucien has recently moved to Squamish with his partner and is enjoying working with the students at Whistler Waldorf School!
Ali Blancher: High School Math and Science Department
Ms. Blancher’s education includes Bachelor degrees in Geography and Environmental Sciences from Queen’s University, and a Bachelor of Education from UBC. She is currently completing her Waldorf high school teacher training in math, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences at the Centre for Anthroposophy in New Hampshire.
Ali moved to Whistler in 2005, and worked as a teaching assistant in Whistler and Pemberton for two years. She first joined Whistler Waldorf in 2009 as a teaching assistant in the Kindergarten class and fell in love with the school. She was therefore thrilled to return as a science, math and resource teacher in 2011 after completing her Bachelor of Education. Ali gained extensive experience with adolescents over past ten years directing leadership programs, coaching field hockey and softball, and working at the Pemberton Secondary School. She loves the Whistler life with all of its outdoor activities and athletic opportunities.
Ellen Maclean: High School Math and Science Department
Ms. Maclean is working alongside Mr. Power and Ms. Blancher as part of our science and math team. She has a BSc in Biochemistry, a BEd with a focus on Environmental science, Biology and Experiential education and she recently completed her MA in Education and Waldorf High School Teacher training at Rudolf Steiner College, Sacramento. Ellen is acting as the Grade 12 guardian for the second year, guiding our graduates through their exciting final year at Whistler Waldorf.
Greg Scott: High School Arts Department
Mr. Scott joined Whistler Waldorf following 12 years at the Toronto Waldorf School as an Arts, Crafts and Humanities teacher. He is teaching Practical Arts and Woodwork throughout our high school as well as some History.
Greg has a BA in History from York University, a certificate in Applied Arts and Sculpture from Sunbridge College, a certificate in Visual Arts from the Goetheanum, Dornach and is a graduate of the Toronto Waldorf Teacher Training course.
Jennifer Scharf: High School Humanities Department
An educator for nearly 20 years, Ms. Scharf has taught at organizations including Outward Bound Canada, Collingwood School, the Pearson Seminar on Youth Leadership and Self Design Learning Community. More recently, she founded the Whistler Forest School Society with a group of local families and continues to sit on the Board of Directors. Jenn holds an Honours BA from McMaster University in Cultural Anthropology with a Minor in International Justice and Human Rights, a Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University and an MA in Peace Education from the UN Mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica. She is currently pursuing her Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Simon Fraser University with support from the Community Foundation of Whistler’s Kathy Barnett Leadership Grant.
A Whistler local since 2009, Jenn adores living in a small community and enjoying all that mountain life has to offer. In her spare time, you’ll find her tending to her community garden box, biking, skiing, hiking and taking in local events. Jenn is thrilled to be joining the Whistler Waldorf School high school humanities department in fall 2016.
Rubeena Sandhu: Fine Arts and Grade 8 Guardian
Ms. Sandhu joined Whistler Waldorf in the fall of 2015 as the Grade 6 class teacher. She was a founding parent and teacher at the Cedar Bridge School in Lumby, BC, a Waldorf-inspired farm- and forest-based early childhood and grade school. She taught at the school since its inception eight years ago, taking a class from Grade 1 to 7, and then served as the upper grades teacher. Rubeena holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Waldorf Teachers Certificate from the West Coast Institute.
Rubeena and her family moved to Whistler for its natural majesty, its connection with nature and the burgeoning Waldorf community. She is a herbalist who loves gardening and supports the local food economy with a passion. She is always looking for ways for her students to connect with community initiatives that foster meaningful relationships, and is inspired to support the healthy development of a child’s body, mind, soul and spirit. Rubeena has been appointed as our school’s 2nd Liaison to the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America.
Stephen Maskell: High School Math Department
Mr. Maskell grew up in Wales and while studying at Cardiff High School he took part in an engineering competition which sparked his want to pursue a career in a technical field. Upon graduation, he went on to study Aerospace Engineering at University of Hertfordshire with an exchange year at West Virginia University in the United States. During university, Steve continued volunteering with Scouts and participating in outdoor activities. It became apparent that working with children and youth was the direction he wanted to take.
The next few years were spent working with young people and combining his love for the outdoors by managing a Scout Campsite and working in the outdoor education sector. During this time, Mr. Maskell completed a Graduate Apprenticeship in Outdoor Education. There was something missing though; that technical, analytical side wanted to be aired and so he worked at the Ministry of Defence before completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. Steve then moved to Whistler and after working in the adult education sector at Blackcomb Aviation, he has now returned to what he loves, teaching mathematics to awesome adults of the future.
Ian Gardiner: High School Physical Education
Mr. Gardiner graduated from McMaster University with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Anthropology. As a member of the McMaster Outdoors Club, Ian developed a passion for outdoor education while guiding trips for students and alumni. Upon graduation, he was employed by the McMaster Athletics & Recreation Department as a facilitator, leading team building and high ropes programs for students and community members of all ages.
Ian’s passion for working with students and his desire to travel led him to Perth, Australia where he completed a graduate degree in Education, focusing on Physical & Outdoor Education and Social Studies. In the fall of 2007, Mr. Gardiner moved from Toronto to Whistler to manage a ski and bicycle store and later, to work in the ski industry as a retail and technical representative. More recently, Ian was employed as Outdoor Educator for St. George’s School in Vancouver.
Mr. Gardiner joined Whistler Waldorf in the Spring of 2017 as the Physical Education teacher. He remains very passionate about developing a love of the outdoors and physical activity in every student and is very grateful to have Spruce Grove and Lost Lake as his ‘classroom.’
Josh Suhrheinrich: High School Music
Mr. Suhrheinrich has taught guitar, music theory and improvisation for over thirty years. He has performed professionally throughout Canada and the US, was awarded first place at the 2011 Roland National Loop Competition in Vancouver, BC and performed as a finalist at the 2012 Roland World Loop Competition in Frankfurt, Germany. Josh performed frequently in Whistler from 2005 to 2013 before relocating to Seattle and is now excited to return to this vibrant community and share his knowledge and passion for music.
Mr. Suhrheinrich studied and performed Jazz while earning a degree in Religious Studies at Indiana University. He then earned a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from Northern Illinois University, where he was awarded a scholarship from the Liberace Foundation and was a member of the esteemed NIU Jazz Ensemble and NIU Jazztet. Josh served as guitar faculty at the Shell Lake Jazz Camp in Wisconsin as well as the NIU Jazz Camp in DeKalb, Illinois. He developed his own workshops and camps in Bloomington, Indiana as well as in Whistler and Pemberton, BC. In addition to teaching at Waldorf, Mr. Suhrheinrich also currently teaches guitar at Dusty Strings Music School in Seattle and performs along the west coast.
Nina Moore: Grade 1 Teacher
Ms. Moore moved to Whistler in 2010, drawn by the mountains, and community feel of a small town. She joined Whistler Waldorf School right away, working in the Early Years department as a Preschool teacher, Parent-Child program facilitator, and then Kindergarten teacher, as well as offering Simplicity Parenting workshops.
Nina graduated with a BA in History and International Relations from London, UK, and then spent the next three years working as a teacher in northeast Japan. Moving to the west coast of Ireland, she trained in Early Childhood Education, and has extensive experience working with very young children and their parents.
Ms. Moore completed her Waldorf Grade School Teaching Certificate in 2015, learning at the West Coast Institute and the Rudolph Steiner Centre, Toronto.
Nina is also a practising artist, happiest when engaged in creating. She has one daughter enrolled in the school, and a younger son who will be one day!
Kyle Kirkegaard: Grade 2 Teacher
Ms. Kirkegaard is an alumna of Whistler Waldorf School and graduate of Denver Waldorf School. Kyle cultivated a strong interest in Waldorf education from her own experiences with the curriculum as a student, which carried her into teaching. She gained a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from Quest University and is completing her Masters of Education and Waldorf Training Certification at Antioch University, New England.
Kyle finds inspiration trail running, skiing and rock climbing, with a great appreciation for the natural environment. Her energy, enthusiasm and caring nature are contagious and she is thrilled to be fulfilling her dream of teaching at the Whistler Waldorf School.
Sandra Valle: Grade 3 Teacher
Ms. Valle joined Whistler Waldorf in the fall of 2015. Her education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing and Communications. Sandra was born in Mexico but also has Canadian citizenship, and has lived extensively in both countries in different periods of her life. After having her two children in Canada, she decided to follow her long time passion for healing and health and pursued her degree as a Homeopathic Doctor in Ottawa. It is in this period that she learned about Waldorf education as a therapeutic education, and decided to have her children enrolled in a Waldorf school. After a wonderful journey with her children in a Waldorf school in Mexico, Sandra moved to Toronto in 2013 to receive her training as a Waldorf teacher from the Rudolf Steiner Centre. For the last year she has been employed as a substitute teacher at the Toronto Waldorf School where she has been working with all of the grades.
Sandra is passionate about working with children in a wholesome and healing way and will be taking further education to extend her knowledge in remedial work. She loves playing tennis and any athletic opportunities, singing in choirs, playing the ukulele and salsa dancing.
Sisi Chen: Grade 4 Teacher
Ms. Chen joined Whistler Waldorf School in 2016 as the Grade 3 teacher. After recently completing her Masters in Waldorf Class Teacher and Subject Teacher training in Stuttgart, Germany, Sisi transitioned back from student to teacher again. She earned a BA in psychology and sociology, followed by a Bachelor of Education at Queen’s University, and gained teaching experience in Seoul, South Korea for a year at an international school. Soon after, Ms. Chen travelled to England and taught Grade 2 and Grade 4. Aside from travelling and teaching, she tries to squeeze in time for dancing and running. You will also find her with unfinished knitting/crocheting projects once in a while.
After travelling so much, Ms. Chen is excited to be a little closer to home. She grew up in Richmond, BC and to many people’s surprise, she had only been to Whistler twice (as a tourist).
Brian Gohlke: Grade 5 Teacher; Lower School Chair
Mr. Gohlke joined WWS in 2015 as the Grade 7 teacher. Brian was a class teacher at the Vancouver Waldorf School since 2007, taking a class from Grade 2 – 7 and then another class for Grade 7 and 8. He has a BA in Economics and International Business and a Diploma in Rudolf Steiner Education, completing his Waldorf teacher training in New Zealand in 2006. Previous to his work as a Waldorf teacher, Brian worked as a class teacher for eight years at a school in Taiwan.
Catherine Roy: Grade 6 Teacher
Ms. Roy joined Whistler Waldorf in 2016 as the new Grade 5 teacher. She has taught Science, English and Art at a Tibetan school in India and Visual Arts and Science at New Westminster Secondary School in the Lower Mainland. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Environmental Studies and a minor in Fine Arts from Bishops University, as well as a Bachelor of Education from Simon Fraser University. Cat began working with youth as a lifeguard and swim instructor in 2003 before coming to Whistler in 2009. She immediately felt at home in our mountain community with its vibrant arts scene. She gained additional experience while living in Thailand, volunteering with an elephant rescue and rehabilitation program and teaching at the local school.
Cat is very excited to be a part of the Waldorf community and bring her passion for art, creativity, and adventure to her class. She’s thrilled to be working in a school where curiosity and connectivity to nature can flourish.
Charlotte Jacklein: Grade 7 Teacher
Ms. Jacklein joined the Whistler Waldorf School faculty in 2015 as a high school humanities teacher. Charlotte has taught in both public and independent schools, most recently at the Halton Waldorf School in Ontario as a class teacher. Charlotte Jacklein has an Honours BA from University of Waterloo in English with a Minor in Peace and Conflict Studies, and a Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University in English and OE3 (Outdoor Experiential Environmental Education). Charlotte recently completed her Masters of Education and Waldorf teacher training at Antioch University New England.
A Waldorf graduate herself, Charlotte is grateful that this remarkable opportunity gave her a strong foundation with numerous transferrable skills and inspired a deep commitment to lifelong learning. In addition to her classroom teaching, Charlotte has over a decade of experience working as a wilderness guide and outdoor instructor in Canada and internationally. Through her work with organizations such as Outward Bound and the YMCA, Charlotte has a wealth of experience working with children and youth in a wide range of settings from Australia to the Arctic. In addition to her career as an educator, Charlotte is a freelance writer whose work can be found in various publications. Charlotte loves exploring the great outdoors and can often be found in a kayak or on a bike.
Katherine Fawcett: Music and Violin Teacher
Ms. Fawcett has been teaching music for over 27 years. She began as a piano teacher, and moved into violin and voice at the Whistler Waldorf School approximately 8 years ago. Katherine has lived all over Canada, including Montreal, Yellowknife, Calgary and Canmore, and even spent several years in Japan where she taught English. She and her husband currently live in Squamish with their children Jack and Lilah. Katherine is also a yoga enthusiast, trail runner, skier, an award-winning writer and a member of the Pemberton Orchestra.
Marie-Christine Dionne: French Teacher
Madame Dionne joined the Whistler Waldorf School in 2016, teaching French in the lower school and high school. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Certificate in Second Language Teaching from Concordia University. Marie-Christine also spent a semester in Geneva where she taught a Grade 2 class. She is thrilled to be given the opportunity to expand the French program at Whistler Waldorf by bringing a part of her culture and her love for languages. Marie-Christine visited BC many times before officially making it her home in 2016. The mountains and outdoor lifestyle brought her here, and when she is not teaching, she enjoys climbing, hiking, snowboarding and travelling.
Mollianne Reynolds: Handwork Teacher
Ms Reynolds is caring, creative and dedicated. She combines a firm hand with a sense of humour to make her an adored teacher and faculty member. Mollianne attended Waldorf schools in Vancouver, Germany and Toronto, and after a few years in the health and vitamin industry and at a bio-dynamic farm, she decided to become a Waldorf teacher herself. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in English, she went to Germany, to study at the world’s first Waldorf school. She completed her Waldorf Teacher Training in Stuttgart Germany. Mollianne joined Whistler Waldorf in 2004, with the Grade 6 / 7 class, and led them to graduation before starting with a group of 15 Grade 1 students in 2006.
Mollianne brings incredible creativity to her handwork classes. She is a talented chalkboard artist, painter, illustrator and fabric artist. She is also highly skilled at knitting, crocheting, sewing and needlework and usually has several projects of her own underway at once.
Ute Grimm: Student Support Manager, Parent and Tot and Eurythmy
Mrs. Grimm is leading the learning support / remedial program, and teaching Eurythmy to the lower grades. Seven years ago, Ute moved with her family from Germany to Canada. Being a Waldorf alumnus herself, she completed her Eurythmy training in Stuttgart and taught this subject for more than twenty years. Following this, she turned to her long time passion of helping children with special needs and completed a post graduate diploma for Waldorf Class Teachers, as well as a Certificate in Remedial Education. Mrs. Grimm worked as a full time Remedial Specialist at the Vancouver Waldorf School for five years, and then stepped into a class teacher position. Her deep understanding of anthroposophy, her remedial background, her rich experience in Eurythmy and, last but not least, raising four children has contributed to her success in teaching, remedial work and consulting with parents.
Ute has enjoyed continuing her teaching career at the Whistler Waldorf School as Eurythmy and Remedial teacher, as well as getting to know the Whistler Waldorf School community. Ute has been appointed as our school’s 1st Liaison to the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America.
Edrie Henderson: Student Support
Ms. Henderson provides teaching support to our grade school and high school students, as well as acting as class guardian for the grade 11 students. She has a BSc from UBC in Physiological Psychology, a Diploma in Outdoor Recreation Management from Capilano College and a Diploma in Special Education for Teaching Assistants from Kwantlen. Edrie worked as a Wilderness Trip Leader for five years in the Whistler and Pemberton area taking at risk youth on extended wilderness canoe, backcountry skiing and backpacking trips. Ms. Henderson has also worked with youth in remote areas of Alberta and has worked for the past 13 years as an educational assistant and private tutor.
Edrie grew up in Vancouver and recently moved to the Pemberton area with her husband. She has a son and a daughter. Ms. Henderson is excited to be living where she used to work and is especially happy to be working at the Whistler Waldorf school.
Megan Hewitt: Classroom Assistant
Ms. Hewitt provides learning support for our lower school as a classroom assistant. She earned her BA in Journalism from California State University, Chico in 1995 and completed her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in 1998. She taught grade school for seven years and loved the challenges, opportunities and learning it brought into her life.
Once in Whistler, which she has lovingly called home since 2005, she began work at the Whistler Youth Centre and LUNA (Late & Unique Nighttime Alternatives) designing programs for youth. At this time she started a family with her husband, Lon. Her daughter Lola, and son Niko, both attend Whistler Waldorf. Living in the snow-covered mountains has been a childhood dream since riding ski lifts in California, Utah and Colorado on family ski trips. And although living in Whistler is her dream come true, she still loves to soak up the sun, ride the waves and spend time with family in California.
Wes Feagan: Classroom Assistant
Mr Feagan joined Whistler Waldorf School in 2013, working in student support as a classroom assistant. He brings 15 years of experience and training working in special needs education and in children’s recreation. He completed a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Victoria, and post grad studies in Australia in group facilitation, HR and education. Although Wes was born and grew up in Toronto, he is drawn to the mountains of BC and loves his life in Whistler. Along with his wife and two children, Wes takes full advantage of the beautiful outdoor environment in Whistler through running, mountain biking, skiing, as well as playing and coaching soccer.
Tracy Graham: Little Cedars Teacher
Ms. Graham has worked at Whistler Waldorf since 2003, and is currently the teacher in the Little Cedars program. She has over 19 years of experience working with young children through ski schools, preschools, and day cares in Nelson and Whistler.
Tracy’s education includes ECE certification from Capilano College, a Bachelor’s of Education from UBC, and the Waldorf Teacher Training – Early Childhood Program. She comes from a family of teachers from preschool to high school and university, and always knew she wanted to continue the family vocation. She fell in love with the homelike feeling of the Waldorf Kindergarten while living and working in Nelson, and decided this was her chosen path. Tracy loves life in Whistler and spends her time skiing, hiking, practising yoga and going for picnics at the beach with her daughter Emily.
Karina Pena: Little Cedars Teacher (maternity leave)
Ms Pena is teaching in the Little Cedars group again this year with Ms Graham. She has 6.5 years experience as an assistant teacher and co-teacher in both the playschool and kindergarten classes at Whistler Waldorf. She completed her ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) certification in 2010, and continues to work towards her Waldorf Teacher Training – Early Childhood certification each summer. She has several years experience as a nanny, and also worked at Whistler Blackcomb. Originally from Peru, Karina moved to Whistler ten years ago.
Orsa Horvath: Briar Rose Teacher
Ms Horvath first joined Whistler Waldorf in 2010 and was deeply moved by the peaceful setting offered to the children, as well as the ideas and philosophy behind Waldorf Education, which reminded her of her own childhood in Europe. Although she first completed a Business Degree at the Budapest Business School in Hungary, she had always felt a strong desire to work with children.
Orsa moved to Canada in 1999 and began teaching and coaching skiing to children, and still enjoys this during holiday breaks from school. She completed a TESOL Diploma at Vancouver Community College, and taught ESL in the summer months in Whistler. She also gained experience at local day cares and through various nanny positions. Orsa completed her Early Childhood Education certificate in June 2013 and started her Waldorf Early Years training in July of the same year. She loves the active outdoor life in Whistler, which fits perfectly with the Waldorf Early Years curriculum of closely following the beautiful changes that take place in our surrounding natural environment.
