College of Teachers

Daniela has had the blessing to journey through the waters of both, homeschooling her son and teaching in Waldorf School classrooms. Her passion for education carried on the wings of goodness, beauty and truth continually moves her to strive to create, explore, and work with students and families inspired by Waldorf education. 

Daniela has completed the Waldorf Teacher Certification program with a focus on Grades 1 through 8 at Rudolf Steiner College in California and has been actively teaching in Waldorf school classrooms since 2011. Over the years Daniela has served as a class teacher, subject teacher, meditation teacher and guide, parent educator, and presenter of a wide array of various subjects in the realm of a holistic lifestyle and creative living skills. She holds a Ph.D. in Traditional Naturopathy, an MS in Natural Health, a Bachelor’s in Business Marketing. On her path of continued professional development, Daniela has completed the first year of the certification program focused on Education Support and Healing Education with the Association for Healing Education in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is excited to continue those studies in the near future.

In her free time, Daniela loves to travel and explore places in Nature with her family, meet new friends, make fiber art and craft projects as gifts, create and guide meditation journeys, study healing plant properties, read works of new ad old authors, read fairy tales from around the world, listen to music, and spend time with friends.

Jaia has been a class teacher since 2011, both in brick and mortar schools and at Seasons of Seven, and is a Waldorf Alumna herself! As a lifelong lover of learning, Jaia appreciates the fact that she can be immersed in the wonders of the Waldorf curriculum along with her students as they learn through the grades. She loves her students deeply, and enjoys seeing each of them develop their strengths as they grow into full human beings. Jaia grew up in the jungles of Hawaii, and began her own educational journey as a homeschooler before attending a Waldorf school for the upper grades. Jaia loves being able to revel in the green beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s woods, rivers, and coastline, and is excited to have more freedom to explore while still teaching students! She is thrilled to return to Seasons of Seven.

Jaia received her Waldorf Teaching Certificate from Micha-el Institute, after completing a MEd in Elementary Education at Portland State and a BA in International Affairs with a minor in theater at Lewis and Clark College.

With bright yellow sunlight streaming through my nursery window, I used to carefully arrange my stuffed animals and dolls in a semi-circle around me while I ‘read’ them a magical story. Since those early years, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. After graduating high school in the Chicago area, I got a teaching degree and taught in public elementary schools for many years. After some time I realized that I wanted to find a more truly child-centered curriculum, so I went on a search for one.

It wasn’t until our first child was in his toddler years that I stumbled upon Waldorf Education. It was a healing experience for me to use this magical curriculum that strengthened our feeling of the wonder, goodness and beauty in the world while I homeschooled our oldest until 3rd grade, and also our youngest in his Pre-K years.

Then we found a wonderful, small Waldorf school that both of our boys attended. While they were in class I took a three year training at the Waldorf Institute of Southern California and became certified to teach Early Childhood and the Grades. At our sweet school I assisted in the Pre-K and then was a lead class teacher in the grades for many years.

During covid our family moved to Northern California where I Waldorf homeschooled our youngest. He is now entering high school and our oldest is in college!

We love our home surrounded by forests and meadows and I enjoy absorbing the nature around us, writing, drumming, singing and spending time with my loving family and friends.

I look forward to meeting and partnering with you as we create your child’s wonder-filled journey in the months and years to come!

My name is Mandy Howard and I live in vibrant KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. My husband and I have 3 children who we have enjoyed sharing the beauty of our country with as they have grown up - from coastal walks, beach days, camping trips, mountain hikes and longer holidays along the coast of the rural and rugged Eastern Cape.

My journey with Waldorf Education began 23 years ago and my experience and passion for this living education, that meets the child where they are at, is ever growing and deepening. It has also been integral in raising my own children. Having taught as a class teacher over this time as well as in the kindergarten and supportive education, I have a deep confidence in the work of the Waldorf Curriculum and the therapeutic potential it holds. Story telling, movement, music, speech, craft, games, artistic work and form drawing are at the heart of my teaching as each main lesson unfolds. Encouraging, uplifting, teaching and supporting are the ways in which I connect with my pupils, parents and colleagues.

Good day. My name is Gerhard Siepker. I am a South African Waldorf Teacher. I live in the beautiful coastal province of Kwa -Zulu Natal. I am a father to three beautiful children: James 16, Anna 14 and Sophia Rose 10. My wife Bridgette is also a Waldorf teacher and we both work at the Roseway Waldorf school. I have had the privilege to experience all aspects of the Waldorf school curriculum. I have taught from first grade to the conclusion in grade 7. During this time I have attended conferences and I have been guided and mentored by amazing insightful individuals. Waldorf education inspires me daily. To see a vibrant curriculum awaken the thinking, feeling and will within a child is truly a remarkable experience. I am inspired by the movement, the stories, the approach to science and Mathematics and the arts within the Waldorf movement. I have had more than 15 years Waldorf teaching experience and I feel that I learn every day along with the children that I teach. I believe in a class room filled with good humor and laughter. This enables us to do the work needed for our times. The Waldorf curriculum forges strong work ethic and a thinking mind. Rhythm and healthy routine encourages balance and clear thought. In my private life ,my family and I spent many hours at the beach as we are avid body boarders and swimmers. We love camping and it brings us closer as a family. My other interests included: beekeeping, knife forging, weight training, cooking and film.

Andrew was born to two Waldorf teachers and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He attended the Chicago Waldorf School from kindergarten through 12 th Grade. After majoring in Mathematics and Philosophy and minoring in Computer Science for his undergraduate degree at Beloit College, Andrew went on to work in IT in Austin, Texas. He later completed a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from the University of Houston and then went back to the Chicago Waldorf School to teach high school mathematics. During this time, Andrew completed his Waldorf High School teacher training at the Center for Anthroposophy under the tutelage of Douglas Gerwin and Jamie York. While in the training, Jamie asked Andrew to co-author the high school versions of the Making Math Meaningful math workbooks. Three years later he was married and living in Honolulu, Hawaii this time teaching both middle and high school math and computer science. In 2013, Andrew moved to Toronto where he taught middle school math at Waldorf Academy in downtown Toronto. Andrew, his partner Erika and their (now three) children joined the Toronto Waldorf School in 2017 where he currently teaches math and computer science in Grades 7 – 12.

Andrew enjoys exercising (lifting weights and running), playing with his kids and contemplating the cosmos on a daily basis.

Tiffany Manoukian lives in the Salt Lake Valley with her husband, their four children, and a lively assortment of animals. A lover of the natural world, she spends her free time hiking in the mountains, playing in streams and lakes, tending to her garden, and joyfully engaging in Waldorf handcrafts. Her life is woven with a deep reverence for spirit, nature, rhythm, and beauty.

Tiffany is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Waldorf Education along with a Waldorf Grades Teaching Certificate through the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute in partnership with Mount Mary University. She is on track to complete her program in June 2026. With over a decade of experience in Waldorf education, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge and deep devotion to her teaching. For the past five years, she has taught in the grades, and for the five years prior, she served in Early Childhood education.

In 2018, Tiffany completed her LifeWays Early Childhood Certification in Phoenix, Arizona, where she also supported the training as both Administrative Assistant and Cook. She continues to serve LifeWays North America as a Lead Teacher and Director of Student Services for the Utah training site, mentoring new early childhood educators and supporting parents on their journey.

Tiffany has held a variety of roles throughout her career including Lead Teacher, Assistant Teacher, and Aftercare Teacher across an independent Waldorf school, public Waldorf charter schools, and a hybrid homeschool cottage school. Her experience spans grades classrooms, a Waldorf Kindergarten, and a flourishing Parent & Child program she directed and led, which served over 70 families with children from birth to age five.

An avid student of Rudolf Steiner, Tiffany brings a unique balance of spiritual insight and grounded practicality to her work. She holds a degree in Business Finance and has long bridged the worlds of head and heart. She continues to deepen her understanding through annual Grades Preparation courses with Eugene Schwartz and ongoing studies with LifeWays North America, including completion of the Mothering Arts postpartum training and training with the Simplicity Parenting Institute of Kim John Payne.

Tiffany’s journey into Waldorf education began with the birth of her first child and a deep desire to bring meaningful rhythm, reverence, and celebration into their daily family life. What began as a small homeschool co-op and seasonal festival circle blossomed into an in-home Waldorf childcare program, followed by years of teaching in schools, Waldorf homeschooling her own children, and ultimately a vibrant vocation. Today, her work brings Waldorf education into contemporary forms, through virtual homeschool offerings and the founding of a local hybrid cottage school, making this heart-centered education accessible and alive for modern families.

Her passion is to bring life-giving, developmentally aligned education to children and heartfelt support to families, honoring the sacredness of childhood, nurturing strong communities, and helping others discover their unique path in parenting, teaching, and lifelong learning.

Herr Dornemann was born in West Berlin, educated in Latin, Greek and French at the College Francais de Berlin.  He has his degree in French and German literature from the University of Minnesota. In Paris, he studied creative theater at the Ecole Internationale de Mime, Movement et Theatre.

Rainer has taught German and French to students in all grades, in Waldorf, as an artist in residence and in other schools and programs.  His gift is inspiring students to playfully reach their potential and ignite a deep interest in the beauty and flow of language.   

Rainer enjoys time with his family, bicycling, canoeing/kayaking, travel, singing, and the theater. He immediately lights up a room with his exuberance and interest in all people.

Margaret and her family live in Holland, Michigan along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan where they love hiking and spending time at the beach. She has been homeschooling her three children for several years, using the Waldorf philosophy. Margaret's passion for handwork and fiber arts was instilled in her at a young age when her grandmother taught her to knit and crochet. She has since always had a project in hand. In 2014, Margaret began making Waldorf dolls and as the owner of Poppenhuis she now writes patterns and tutorials to teach others to make dolls. Margaret has attended Taproot Teacher Trainings and completed Waldorf Essentials Training Courses. As handwork teacher, Margaret hopes to spark a passion for handwork in children and inspire them to create beautiful works of art.  

Hello! I’m Mark, and teaching music is one of my favorite things. I’ve been a professional performer (singer, musician, actor...) for most of my life. Still am. But around twenty-some years ago, when my own kids were little, I began to be interested in sharing my creative spark in a different way: through teaching. And I found such joy in sharing that spark that to this day it continues to burn bright. I am a certified Orff-Schulwerk music educator. I’m Waldorf trained -- my own kids were homeschooled Waldorf-style and went on to Waldorf schools -- and I spent several years as a Waldorf Kindy Teacher and then a Class Teacher for grades 5-6. I’ve taught music, acting, improvisation, Shakespeare, dramatic literature and more, to humans of all ages, from toddlers to octogenarians. (So ok, technically I guess that’s “most ages” not “all ages”... but you get the idea ....) I’m excitedly looking forward to meeting all of the Seasons of Seven families.