Following are biographical sketches and resumés of second- and third-year Los Angeles WISC students.
This page may be especially helpful to Waldorf schools which are looking for qualified potential teachers to hire in the near future. For inquiries, e-mail: info@waldorfteaching.org
Candice Achenbach: I was born and raised in eastern Pennsylvania where I completed my Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Pennsylvania Early Childhood Teaching
Credential. I have since then Completed my California Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential and Early Childhood Director Permit. Upon graduating from my bachelors program I moved to Northern California
where I began working in an Early Childhood setting and through a class at the community college met a family who introduced me to Waldorf Education. I worked with them while also working at a local
Waldorf-inspired charter school and beginning my Teacher Training through Rudolf Steiner College. I later moved to Southern California and took a position as a Kindergarten teacher at Ocean Charter School.
This led me to my current school Seeds of Joy Village where I am the Te acher/Director and President of a small non-profit Early Childhood Program. I have also continued my Teacher Training through WISC as
of June 2009. I have always had a passion for Early Childhood Education and recently have found a strong urge to someday work with children through the grades. I also love all types of handwork, dancing,
reading, nature and community building.
candice@seedsofjoyvillage.org | 707-205-7698
Phaedra Cheydleur: Hailing originally from the UK, I tucked a few years of P.R. and London theatre work, and BAs in Drama and English literature, into my world-view backpack, and set my sights further afield. After an incredible artistic worldwide journey, including studies in batik, pottery and painting - and some interesting cultural insights along the way - I arrived in a most unlikely city of Angels, to apparently meet my more musical, soul counterpart, husband and be blessed with two divine boys.
In seeking out a particular alternative lifestyle and education, we became actively involved as a founding family for Ocean Charter School, a Waldorf inspired public school. Teaching fiber art workshops and penmanship to parents, students and teachers led to my interest in W.I.S.C teacher training. Now in my final year on my way to becoming a class teacher, I am inspired and humbled each week, as I grow to become worthy of my own class of students and to help change the world!
Supporting my studies and personal growth has been my joyful work as a teacher in the early children realm. I am currently honoured to be assisting in the nursery at Westside Waldorf as I deepen my observation skills of children. It is my privilege to stand before inquiring minds, integrating my life experience and love of children all in a day's work!
Phaedra@thephoenixgift.com | 310-463-6304
Camilla Herrick: I was born in Stockholm, Sweden, the youngest of ten children.
My degree is in home economics from Rudbecks Skolen, Stockholm.
I also have two Certificates of Yoga Teacher Training from the Yoga Studio in Santa Barbara, CA, and a license of Esthetics, SBCC.
A mother of five, I am currently assisting in the Morning Rose Nursery classes in Waldorf School of Santa Barbara, where I have also been involved as a parent for about 15 years. I
am a very happy and grateful second year student at WISC. My interests are children, handwork, music and singing, yoga, gardening and nature, cooking, and learning more about Steiner philosophy and special
needs.
In the future I would like to work in the early childhood realm, possibly in combination with teaching handwork.
faherrick@gmail.com | 805-617-5284
Lisa Lo Russo: I earned my BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1996 and my MFA in Drawing and Painting from the California State University at Long Beach
in 2008. Currently, I work as an art instructor for adults with developmental disabilities at a wonderful fine arts program called Hope University in Anaheim, CA. I have experience teaching a wide variety
of ages and skill levels in the arts. Through my own art practice and teaching I am exploring what it is to be human, transforming myself in the process. I am looking for my destiny within the Waldorf
community, eager to unfold my gifts in service of the children who will be my students.
lisa_lo_russo@yahoo.com | 714-568-9739
Christina Rubino: I earned my BA in English literature from a small liberal arts college in rural Virginia. I learned there, from eclectic and loving professors, to love
reading and learning, two interests which have grown into life-habits. I have taught academic kindergarten and public first grade and am now fortunate to teach kindergarten, with Waldorf methodology,
philosophy and deep personal commitment to Waldorf principles, in a public charter school in Los Angeles. My WISC training, my experience with my daughter's Waldorf education from nursery to her present
2nd grade at Highland Hall Waldorf School, and my former discomfort with academic kindergarten, all inform and deepen my teaching practice. Perhaps one of the most salient experiences both for my parenting
and teaching has been my work as an assistant teacher at the Summerfield Waldorf Farm Camp for the past three summers. This kind of outdoor teaching for practical land stewardship and living in community
infuses the many aspects of my Waldorf life: parenting, teaching, home food production and embracing the natural world.
christina.l.rubino@my.csun | 661-414-4827
Rusty Vail Born: Ocala, Florida
Degrees, certificates:
Bachelors of Music, Voice/piano - Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL
Graduate study, Voice, 3 years - Indiana University School of Music
School for Uncovering the Voice (Werbeck singing) with Christiaan Boele, Sebastopol, CA - will complete in February, 2011
Work:
Private music teacher, all ages - piano, voice, guitar, recorders, Costa Mesa, CA
Class music teacher, grades 2-6 - Waldorf School of Orange County
Playgroup music coordinator, early childhood, parent/toddler - Waldorf School of Orange County
Choir director, grades 4/5 and 7/8 - Waldorf School of Orange County
Church choir director - Shepherd of the Hills Methodist, Mission Viejo
Interests: gardening, sewing, visual arts, tennis
I have always been deeply connected to music, especially singing. My path is to bring the joy of being able to play or sing a piece to young and old. The added thrill of singing in
a group, creating beautiful harmonies together and blending the individual voices to a group tone, is a challenge I very much enjoy as well. I want everyone to feel the music!
I am interested in opportunities for music teaching.
rustyvail@msn.com | 818-678-491