Meet Our Amazing Staff
The Spring River Administrative Team
School Administrator
Tiffany Rhodin
Tiffany comes to us as a parent-turned-staff from Tampa, Florida. Tiffany’s lifelong passion for natural Florida, learning, and serving her community resulted in her attaining a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida in 2010. Since then, Tiffany’s expansive professional career has been motivated and driven by her desire to serve the children of her community.
For Hillsborough County Public Schools, Tiffany served as a teacher in the gifted program. She was a peer resource for classroom teachers with whom she spent much time collaborating and developing specific plans for students who needed to be intellectually challenged. Tiffany was able to work harmoniously with students, other teachers, and parents to develop and cultivate the whole child.
After the birth of her first son, Tiffany dedicated herself with this same passion to raising him, cherishing this incredibly special time between mother and child. It was during this time that Tiffany became an advocate for babywearing, so much so that she eventually owned and operated her own small business – Wearing is Caring – where she educated parents on the developmental benefits of child-wearing. Her second son arrived in 2015 which is also when her family relocated to Jacksonville.
It was in Jacksonville that Tiffany was drawn to the organizational ethics of IKEA where she spent time developing and implementing new programming in the Kids Club. Tiffany not only figuratively broadened her horizons by entering a new industry, but literally did so when she was selected to go to Vietnam to represent IKEA USA as part of the iWitness Program. She was chosen based on her love for cultures and her desire to serve children through community.
When her young sons became school age, she struggled with watching the challenges they faced and began the quest for an educational alternative for her vibrant and bright boys, culminating in their discovery of and enrollment here at Spring River School. With its intentional curriculum and thoughtful instruction, Tiffany has watched the Waldorf approach transform her child.
Tiffany spends her free time exploring the outdoors and relaxing at the beach with her husband and two sons. She is excited to continue her involvement with the beautiful community of Spring River School.
Enrollment Coordinator
Laura Turbay
Laura has devoted her life to serving others in various settings. Growing up in her native Colombia, she learned from her archaeologist Mother to respect culture, love nature, and foster curiosity.
Laura initially studied Business and specialized in Finance and Marketing; but in 2018, when she moved from Colombia to Jacksonville, she decided to pursue her life-long dream of working in children’s education. Laura completed the Spanish teacher certification program with the University of West Florida, the year in which she started working in education. While teaching in traditional schools, Laura increasingly realized the importance of instilling more hands-on, nature-based experience in the education of young children. In her search for alternative educational approaches, she fell in love with Spring River and the Waldorf method.
Laura joined our school in 2021 as a Spanish Teacher and Administrative Assistant before moving to her current role as Enrollment Coordinator. She has been trained in CPR/First Aid with an emphasis on Urban Wilderness First Aid and is currently completing the Waldorf Leadership Development program through the Center for Anthroposophy.
Along with her Enrollment Administrator Duties, Laura is also the Director of the Spring River Spanish Program, including overseeing curriculum and lesson planning.
Laura is married to Juan and has two wonderful children, Pablo and Helena. Laura loves to spend time outdoors with her family and her dog; she enjoys biking, horseback riding, and going to the beach.
Operations Coordinator
Jennifer Bossbaly
Jennifer Bossbaly is a Jacksonville native who embarked on a journey in the northeast from 2011-2020 where she taught both adult and children's yoga and led women's retreats in the tri-state area. Her love for her home town brought her back to the beaches. She instantly felt at peace in the Spring River community where her children Jacob and Lola are enrolled. Ms. Jen led Spring River's yoga enrichment program at Hanna Park and was very involved in Forest School and a sub in various classes. She was also Parent Teacher Council president for several years. You can often find Jen and her family at the local parks, bike riding, hanging at the beach or in their car heading off on a weekend adventure. She has a love for travel, music, family and community and holds working with women and children in the highest regard.
Student Support Coordinator
Jackie Stetson
Jackie was introduced and fell in love with Waldorf education while studying psychology and volunteering for a school garden program over 15 years ago. She is inspired by the Waldorf pedagogy because it focuses on developmentally appropriate learning, while teaching the whole child- head, hands, and heart. She was a class teacher at Spring River begining in 2019, now stepping into the role of Student Support Coordinator.
Jackie holds a degree from the University of Florida with a BS in Psychology and a Minor in Education and was an elementary school teacher for Duval County Public Schools from 2007-2018, working in grades K-6. Some of the highlights of those years was as team leader for Third Grade and considerable work as a "Various Exceptionalities Teacher," meeting the individual needs of students including their IEP goals. Jackie has a long history of working closely with administrative leadership, and of developing trusting relationships with parents and students.
Jackie completed the Explorations course offered by Antioch University and the Center for Anthroposophy in 2019, and attended Waldorf Teacher training for Literacy, Grades 1-3 in Summer 2019 at the Renewal Courses offered through Antioch University and the Center for Anthroposophy in New Hampshire. Other Waldorf training includes Public Waldorf Teacher training at the AWSNA Annual Conference in 2015 and 2017 at Rudolf Steiner College, and attendance at the Kentahten Institute for Waldorf Education in 2014. Jackie completed the Building Bridges Waldorf Teacher Training Cohort for 2023-24. She has been trained in CPR/First aid with an emphasis on urban wilderness first aid and completed an American Red Cross Lifeguarding course in the summer of 2020.
Jackie is married to Mike and has 3 beautiful children. Her favorite thing to do is spend time with her family outside. She loves to camp, go to the beach, hike, and enjoys music festivals. Jackie also enjoys learning about alternative medicine and nutrition, creating things, and practicing yoga.
Bookkeeper
Michelle Carter
Michelle received her Bachelors of Science in both Biology and Chemistry from Wilmington College and a Master’s of Science in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She began her chemistry career developing analytical methods at the FDA, and subsequently conducted and oversaw sample analysis at a contract analytical chemistry laboratory. Michelle is currently a freelance chemist.
Michelle was introduced to Waldorf education in 2014 and was an active member of the Playgarden Board of Directors for six years. She served as Secretary for four years, then served a two-year term as president. She played an integral part in the successful separation of Spring River from The Playgarden in 2021 and in the founding of the new organization, JEC.
Michelle has worn "many hats" at Spring River - forest school teacher, STEM teacher, games teacher, Enrollment Director, and devoted Board Member. She is a member of the Sophia Circle and completed the Explorations course offered by Antioch University and the Center for Anthroposophy in the spring of 2019. She has volunteered with Duval County Special Olympics Surfing Program as a surf coach for over 5 years.
Administrative Assistant
Noshin Zekavat
Noshin was born in Iran and grew up in Sweden. She moved to the United States to pursue her college degree and earned her Masters degree in Social Work. After graduate school she settled in Atlanta and started working with refugees and found her love of working with people from various cultures. Wanting to explore other Social Work careers, Noshin worked with people experiencing homelessness, a challenging and rewarding experience.
Noshin always knew that she wanted to stay home to raise her family and since the birth of her daughter in 2014 and her son in 2016, she has dedicated her time to her children. Noshin and her husband, Kevan, started exploring education opportunities when their children reached school age and quickly fell in love with homeschooling.
When Noshin and her family moved to Atlantic Beach, they heard about Spring River school and while taking a tour, they instantly knew that this was the setting they wanted their children to be in. The holistic nature of Waldorf Education, the loving teachers, and the outdoor nature of the school was exactly the educational environment they had always envisioned for their children. Noshin is excited to be part of Spring River’s staff and to contribute to this beautiful school.
Meet The Spring River Class Teachers
Our teachers are the heart of Spring River, and have been chosen because they are proven educators devoted to an arts-infused, whole-child curriculum that honors the natural world and the developmental phases of childhood.
Some of our teachers are also homeschooling their own children, or have done so in the past, and can prove to be a helpful resource for families new to homeschooling. Many of our teachers have backgrounds as public school educators who have chosen a new path with a focus on Waldorf and Outdoor Education. If you are interesting in becoming a teacher or joining the staff of Spring River, please apply through our Employment Opportunities page.
"Where is the book in which the teacher can read about what teaching is? The children themselves are this book. We should not learn to teach out of any book other than the one lying open before us and consisting of the children themselves."
- Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf Education
Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Sierra Humphreys
Sierra is a Jacksonville, Florida native and was one of the first students at The Playgarden, a local Waldorf Kindergarten, over 25 years ago. Sierra speaks fondly of her childhood and is overjoyed to have the opportunity to share her love of Waldorf education with our community.
Sierra has taught at Spring River since 2018 and has been the Kindergarten Lead Teacher for four years. She enjoys a warm and supportive relationship with the families in her classes.
Sierra is an accomplished violinist and pianist and has been studying music for nearly 20 years and playing professionally for over 16 years. Her heart is drawn to a diverse range of interests, from culture and backcountry trekking to music and international relations. She has a deep love for animals, insects, plants, fossils, and holistic medicine. Her adventurous spirit led her to spend a semester in India, where she studied wilderness first aid, botany, language, yoga, and white-water rafting. through a program offered through University of Utah. One of the highlights of her journey was contributing to the construction of a greenhouse for the town of Ranikhet.
Sierra's commitment to Early Childhood Education is unwavering. She is currently enrolled in the prestigious Sophia's Hearth Early Childhood Education and Certification Program, a three-year, 500-hour intensive recognized by WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America.) She is set to complete her certification in 2025, a testament to her dedication to continuous learning and professional growth.
Sierra recently completed the year-long Building Bridges to Waldorf Education certification course offered by Antioch University and the Center for Anthroposophy. She has also been trained in CPR/First Aid, with an emphasis on urban wilderness first aid, and completed an American Red Cross Lifeguarding course. She studied International Relations at the Univeristy of North Florida.
First Grade Class Teacher
Whitney Hasan
Whitney is a dedicated wife and mother of two wonderful little beings that always keep her on her toes. She and her family moved to the Jacksonville area from the mountains of Western North Carolina early in 2023 and have quickly fallen in love with the local community and environment.
Whitney has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and ten years of experience in education and children’s behavioral health. This background has allowed her to work closely with both children and their families in pursuit of collective goals surrounding not only academics, but other essential developmental skills such as emotional intelligence and regulation, social and verbal communication, behavior management, gross and fine motor operations, and many more. This interdisciplinary experience has reinforced her belief in the importance of an Anthroposophical lens in guiding children’s development.
She is passionate about helping children cultivate a love of learning and growth mindset, characteristics that nourish the human experience as well as intellectual fluency, and will continue to be valuable in all endeavors throughout their lives.
In her spare time, Whitney enjoys visiting the beach and local parks with her family, creating art, teaching her children to cook, and snuggling on the couch with her husband and two Frenchies with a good book.
Second Grade Class Teacher
Kelly Corson
Kelly brings with her a love of and curiosity about the outdoors. She loves learning about her natural surroundings and bringing those stories to the children. She focuses on rhythm, creating opportunities for young people to observe what is around them and how to integrate lessons from those experiences. She fosters collaboration and teamwork among parents and colleagues to participate as partners on each child's educational journey.
Kelly's commitment to her profession is evident in her continuous professional development. She received her Waldorf teacher training certificate from Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento and holds a bachelor’s degree in child development from Brigham Young University. She has taught in various Waldorf Schools, including Whidbey Island Waldorf School and Olympia Waldorf School, and in mixed age homeschool settings. Each summer, she dedicates time to grades training to ensure her understanding of her students' development level is up to date. She has also attended courses at the Center for Anthroposophy's Renewal Trainings, Sunbridge, and Rudolf Steiner College, and has a certificate in Spacial Dynamics. Kelly's commitment to learning is further demonstrated by her participation in Spellbinder's Storytelling and Suzanne Down's Puppetry course.
Kelly's personal connection to Waldorf Education is profound. Three of her children attended Waldorf private and public charter schools from grades K through 8. This unique perspective as a parent has enriched her teaching, allowing her to understand the needs of her students better. For instance, she can anticipate the lessons a first grader needs to transition into second grade and beyond, based on her own children's experiences.
In her quest to strengthen her own skills, Kelly likes to write poetry, study history and genealogy, hike, bike, and walk along the beach.
Third Grade Lead Class Teacher
Katie Fair
Katie grew up knowing she wanted to be a teacher (like her mom) and taking every opportunity to spend time with young children. As a teenager, she taught summer camps in Pensacola and volunteered overseas at understaffed orphanages. Through college at Florida State University, she worked with middle and high school students, leading youth trips and mentoring young adults. She graduated in 2005 with a B.S. in both Communication and Literature and moved to Jacksonville with her husband, Luke, where they were delighted to find an almost immediately close community of other new-married friends who were also outwardly minded and adventurous.
In Jacksonville, Katie worked as a community development director for three years before realizing that she wanted to give her full attention to children. She transitioned to teaching through Florida State College of Jacksonville’s Teacher Certification Program, earning a professional teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education (Pre-Kindergarten- 3rd Grade), Exceptional Student Education (K-12), and English Education (6-12). In 2007, she began teaching a self-contained class of 5-year-olds with Autism at Abess Park Elementary in Duval County. Through the patient guidance of experienced teachers and a site coach dedicated to helping students thrive, Katie learned the value of loving and appreciating each student, adapting to their ever-changing needs, and honoring them as individuals. By the end of three years, many of her students had successfully joined regular education classrooms, and with a new baby at home, Katie decided to step away from teaching.
When that first baby turned five, Katie and Luke were delighted to find Seaside Charter School and learn about Waldorf Education. Katie fell in love with the “head, heart, hands” model, and decided that if she were to go back to teaching, she would want it to allow for such a holistic approach; preserving childhood, encouraging the imagination, and spending a majority of the time out of doors. In 2020, amidst Covid complications, Katie embarked on homeschooling, which brought about too many learning experiences to list here. The following year, Stevie, now the oldest of five daughters, would join Ms. Julia’s middle school class at Spring River, discovering the beautiful community that we now affectionately call “our people.”
Katie lives with her husband, Luke, and their five daughters here in Atlantic Beach, where she enjoys singing, playing the piano, surfing, reading, playing volleyball, creating things, and climbing trees with her daughters.
Third Grade Associate Class Teacher
Ashley Craft
Ashley Craft was raised in Inverness, Florida, and came to Jacksonville in 2000, where she completed high school and went on to graduate with her Bachelors in Marine Science from Jacksonville University. Ashley has always had a passion for nature and animals, so after graduating, she went on to be an environmental educator for 4H at Mayport Middle and was an adjunct lecturer for microbiology at Jersey College. She also has worked with the Sea Turtle washback program in St. Johns County and has years of experience in the veterinary field.
Her hobbies are yoga, painting, and being outdoors. She acquired her yoga teacher certification from Big Fish Yoga, and she has taken many classes and taught acrylic and watercolor painting to all ages.
She is married to her husband Chris, and they have 3 kids. They enjoy exploring trails and fishing at Dutton Island, near their home, going to the beach and surfing at Hanna Park, board games, and creating art. When her oldest child, Emma, started school is when Ashley fell in love with the Waldorf philosophy. Her family values are perfectly aligned with the Waldorf approach, and she experienced the amazing impact it had on her daughter as a person and as a student.
After being a stay at home mom and homeschooling for several years, she is excited for the opportunity to teach at Spring River. She looks forward to getting to know each of her students while making learning fun. Her goal as a teacher is to discover and appreciate each student's individual learning style and personality while encouraging meaningful relationships throughout our community.
Fourth Grade Associate Class Teacher
Nika Spengler
Nika is from Germany and moved with her family to Jacksonville in fall 2022.
Her husband Alex runs a small coffee shop in downtown Jacksonville. They have a daughter Elina and three sons Julian, Timo and Lukas, five cats, one horse and one dog.
In Germany, Nika was a teacher for many years at a public school for the grades 1-10, before she discovered my passion for the Waldorf way of teaching.
Nika believes that the heart, hand and head teaching is the best way to guide children into this difficult world.
She is very glad she found Spring River and grateful to be part of this wonderful place for teachers and students.
Her hobbies are hiking, crafting, baking, cooking, gardening, handworking, reading books and going to the beach.
Fourth Grade Lead Class Teacher
Katie Bennett
Katie got her degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Florida and holds a teaching certificate for the state of Florida. She taught in public school for 5 years before becoming a mom, at which point she decided to change course and enjoy the gift of staying home with her 2 young children.
She discovered and fell in love with Waldorf Education while her family was living in New Hampshire. When her children reached school-age, she knew she wanted to homeschool. She served as the main lesson teacher for a homeschool group in New England for grades K/1 and Grade 4 before moving back home to Florida to be closer to family and ultimately finding this wonderful beachside community of Waldorf homeschoolers that her family has been a part of since 2021!
She has completed Waldorf Teacher trainings through the Center of Anthroposophy and continues her education through yearly summer renewals. She has a deep love and respect for Waldorf Education and the quality of life and healing it can bring to children and their families.
Katie enjoys spending time with her family, going for walks with her dog, going to the beach, reading, crafting, and all things music.
Fifth Grade Class Teacher
Leah Henderson
Leah was first introduced to Waldorf Education when her daughter started at The Playgarden in 2017. She was soon enthralled and eventually became their Lead Forest Teacher.
Through her professional development and experience at The Playgarden, Leah fell in love with the whole child approach to learning, understanding that the head, hands, and heart are all essential. This was a sentiment she had long ago discovered on her own journey through academia and as a professional in the field of education, and she was excited to see this sentiment echoed in the Waldorf community. As her daughter moved on from The Playgarden and into Spring River, Leah also wanted to follow the journey through the grades.
Leah holds a Master’s degree in Teaching Secondary Science Education from the Univ. of Southern California and has a Florida Educator Certification in teaching Biology. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with minors in Chemistry, Computer Science, and Studio Art from the University of NC at Wilmington. She’s instructed Science and Engineering camps and programs for various organizations and schools. She is also a certified Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor and Water Safety Instructor.
Leah is currently completing Waldorf Teacher Training through the Center for Anthroposphy. She is also holds a certification through the LifeWays of North America early childhood teacher training program. In 2022 Leah led a session on the “Benefits of Risky Play and Risk Assessment” for an ERAFRANS Teacher retreat. She led the same format in April 2023 at a workshop called "Nurturing the Roots.” She’s attended numerous workshops focused on outdoor schooling, learning in nature, and caring for the young child. She also is the recipient of the WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) 2008 Woman of the Year Award.
Leah spends her free time listening to music, dancing, exploring the outdoors, reading, enjoying food, relaxing, and sharing space with her daughter, Cali.
Sixth Grade Class Teacher
Julia Hassler
Julia has been a class teacher at Spring River since 2017 and has taken two groups of students through 8th grade so far. She is loved and respected by our families and the greater community and is known for teaching her students through hands-on activities and field trips for her classes. The creative aspect of Waldorf education and Ms. Julia’s love for nature and adventure bring forth the middle school curriculum uniquely and excitingly.
Julia is a trailblazer for Waldorf Education dating back to 1994, when she led Waldorf mixed-age programs as one of the founders of The Playgarden. She branched out to teach school-age children at various homeschool co-ops, including middle school classes in physics and chemistry. Julia also homeschooled one of her daughters from 1st through 8th grade. Her daughter transitioned into public school beautifully, earning A/B honor roll at Fletcher High.
Julia holds a Bachelor of Arts with a minor in mathematics and a certificate in the Master of Waldorf Education from Antioch University. She attended Sunbridge Summer Institute for nearly eight years, receiving Waldorf certification for the programs Preparing for Grade 1 through Preparing for Grade 8. These programs covered all grade-specific main lesson subjects: watercolor painting, movement, games, singing, form drawing, handwork, and much more.
Combined Seventh/Eighth Grade Class Teacher
Tulsi Dolan
Tulsi’s love for teaching stems from her childhood, sensing even then that children walk this planet with a healing light that is meant to shine undisturbed.
Tulsi holds a degree in biological anthropology with a focus on ethnobotany. She began her Waldorf Teacher Training with Gradalis out of Colorado. She spent time teaching seventh and eighth grades at Running River Waldorf School in Sedona, AZ, and as a permanent and long-term sub at Potomac Crescent Waldorf School in Alexandria, VA. Tulsi has over 15 years of experience teaching in holistic nature-based schools, such as Montessori, Reggio- Emilia, and Green Schools. She has specialized as a science instructor across grade levels from early childhood through high school!
Tulsi has spoken on panels at events such as Donna Karen’s “A Healthy Path for Kids,” and the Green School’s National Conference on exploration and the embodied learning experiences of combined play, music, and movement.
One of the endless aspects of Spring River that Tulsi treasures is the reverence for the ever important homeschooling initiatives that can truly pave the way for the educational revolution our children are calling for! Tulsi understands that parents are our children’s first Teachers, and can’t wait to work in tandem and grow as a family alongside the inspiring families of Spring River!
Meet The Spring River Enrichment and Special Subject Teachers
Forest School Lead Teacher & Administrator
Ashlyn Tiberio
Ashlyn is happy to be a part of the Spring River community! She grew up in Western New York, exploring the forests and nature all around her. She is a lover of the arts - was a dancer for most of her childhood and spends a lot of time drawing and painting. She spent her teenage/young adult years traveling all over seeking adventures through hiking, snowboarding, and experiencing different cultures.
She has experience as an elementary school TA before her college years. Through frustration with the public school system, and at 18 years old looking for an inspiring new adventure, she decided to switch gears and move to New York City to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Fashion Business Management and a minor in Italian Language Studies. During this time, she did a semester in Rome, Italy at the American University of Rome. While there, she studied Foreign Business and Italian Culture. She traveled all over Europe and the U.K. experiencing as many cultures as possible. During and after college she gained a lot of experience in the Fashion Industry through internships, part-time and full-time jobs.
Ashlyn recently moved to Jacksonville seeking a fresh, nature-oriented lifestyle for her and her new family! She is passionate about homeschooling and holding space for children to expand their passions, gifts, and imagination. She is inspired by the Waldorf method because it incorporates the whole child.
Ashlyn is a full-time mom and works two days a week as The Forest School Lead Teacher. She was the TA for the Spring River Forest School in prior years and embarked on further training through the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools. She has also attended a three-day Nature-Based Early Learning Conference through Natural Start Alliance. In addition, she has taken webinar classes through Antioch University such as Mindfulness for Educators and Supporting All Kinds of Minds, to further her teaching practices. She has also been trained in CPR/First Aid with an emphasis on urban wilderness first aid.
Forest School Lead Teacher
Miranda Pridgen
Outdoor adventurer Miranda Pridgen joined us as the co-Lead Teacher in the Forest School for the remainder of the year. She will work in collaboration with Ms. Ashlyn. Originally from Winter Haven, Florida, Miranda has lived in Jacksonville since 2005. She holds a degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. Miranda has worked in the public school system and served in various substitute roles at Spring River last year.
Miranda's first seven years of teaching were in an alternative program that combined 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students. This experience allowed her to refine her skills as an educator and engage learners who struggled in the traditional classroom structure. Following this, she transitioned to a general education program at a Beaches area school, where she worked with diverse learners and incredible educators for six years.
In 2019, Miranda pursued the goal of hiking from Maine to Georgia on the Appalachian Trail. This required months of dedication and led to her resignation from the school system. Stepping away from her teaching role gave her a broader perspective and a realization that she wanted to explore other educational structures.
While pursuing personal goals, Miranda completed several other National Scenic Trails while maintaining relationships within the school system. She is excited to help students grow and expand her skills within the Waldorf Approach to Education. Miranda is drawn to Spring River’s mission to support developing human beings on their journey, and we are delighted to welcome her to our Forest School team!
Music Teacher
Linda Minke
One of the founders of the Jacksonville Waldorf Initiative, which later became The Playgarden, Inc., Linda Minke has been playing and teaching music in the Jacksonville area since 1993.
Linda started playing viola and then cello in the public school system in Rochester, Michigan, after having studied piano and singing in children's choirs. Linda earned two bachelor's degrees in Music Performance and Music Education from Northern Michigan University. Linda also obtained a Master's Degree in Music Performance, with extra training in Suzuki Pedagogy, from Memphis State University.
Linda is a professional cellist who also plays violin, viola, Celtic harp, piano, ukulele, recorder, melodica, and various drums. She has played assistant principal cello with Memphis Symphony for 10 years, section cello with the Peninsula Music Festival in Wisconsin since 1983, part-time cello with the Jacksonville Symphony since 1993, and with the Bold City Contemporary Ensemble since 2015.
Linda is the cellist with the Magnolia String Quartet which plays mostly at weddings in the Jacksonville area. She has recently joined the local Renaissance group called "RareSong" in which she plays the Celtic harp. She also plays fiddle, harp, and washboard with The Walker Family Band and is a chief facilitator for the Florida Fiddle Fest, held each year in the Jacksonville beaches area since 2012.
Linda believes that everyone has music in them and is dedicated to helping people find the joy that it brings.
Handwork Teacher
Kira Mauro
Kira Mauro holds an MA in Linguistics from the University of Arizona. She is a dedicated community gardener and currently serves on the board of the nonprofit Dig Local Network, working with the Beaches-area gardens and farmer’s markets.
Kira has come to love the Waldorf community and educational path after seeing each of her children thrive in the reverent embrace of a philosophy that acknowledges and encourages their whole selves and incorporates the natural environment, art and music into all aspects of the curriculum. Her own handwork journey began at a young age, playing at sewing the discarded fabric scraps given by her grandmother, a professional seamstress. She enjoys fiber and fabric arts of all kinds and of late has focused on embroidery and costume for historic re-creation. She looks forward to sharing the joys of handwork with the families of Spring River.
Kira and her family moved to Atlantic Beach in 2007. She enjoys being outdoors as much as possible and can often be found paddleboarding on the ocean, pitchforking compost in the community garden, or walking the trails in our state parks- sometimes in historic costume! She and her spouse are raising three children, all of whom have participated in Waldorf programs.
Spanish Teacher
Helena Acosta
Helena Acosta holds her B.A. in Art History from the University of Los Andes in Venezuela and a Certification in art exhibition Management from Elisava Design School in Barcelona, Spain. She was an Independent art curator for 10 years developing projects around the world in places like New York, Tokyo, Barcelona, Mexico, and Cuba, among others. During this period, and as part of the exhibitions’ programs, she developed art and creativity classes for children and adults. Helena always regarded this educational component as one of the most fulfilling and favorite parts of her job.
Her love for art, teaching, and traveling bloomed at a very young age. Her mother is an art teacher and her father is an anthropologist. At home, she learned with passion the importance of creativity and curiosity in the exploration of nature and cultures. Helena taught art classes at the University of Jose Maria Vargas and in Private Art Institutes in Caracas, Venezuela, and she has been invited to talk about art and activism at Musashino Art University in Tokyo, Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and Cervantes Institute Tokyo. In 2018, Helena experienced the most amazing gift in her life, she became a mother. From that moment her approach to teaching art took a different and most beautiful pathway, as she started to apply her passion for creation to her daily parenting dynamics. Helena quickly fell in love with the philosophy of Waldorf when she enrolled her daughter at The Playgarden and enthusiastically started to work as a TA at Spring River School bringing to the classroom her love for creativity and discovery, finding magic in everyday objects and nature. She is also the founder of a home-based art studio for children called Jax Little Art.