Meet Our Amazing Staff
The Jacksonville Educational Community/Spring River Administrative Team
Administrative Coordinator
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.
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.
Pedagogical 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.
Pedagogical Administrative Coordinator
Deborah Dornemann
Deborah Dornemann is a loving and devoted leader in the Waldorf community, with over three decades of experience serving children, teachers, and families through the principles of beauty, truth, and goodness.
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Deborah’s journey began as a young parent in Minnesota, where she was drawn to Waldorf education’s deeply humanistic and holistic mission. Since then, she has served in nearly every facet of Waldorf school life—including as a class teacher (grades 1–8), early childhood teacher, high school history teacher, pedagogical director, faculty chair, college member, personnel committee member, teacher development committee member, governance circle leader, board member, parent council liaison, curriculum chair, pedagogical chair, festival chair, collegium facilitator, mediator, and mentor to both teachers and administrators. Her calm presence and collaborative spirit have made her a trusted guide in times of both celebration and challenge, including participation in numerous task forces and crisis leadership teams.
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Deborah currently serves as Director of the Explorations program at the Center for Anthroposophy and teaches the Curriculum course at Antioch University.
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She holds a Master’s degree in Waldorf Education from Antioch New England Graduate School and a Waldorf teaching certification. Her additional training includes remedial education through the Association for Healing Education, Orton-Gillingham certification, and completion of the Educational Leadership Program through the Center for Anthroposophy. She also holds Florida State Teacher Certification and Exceptional Student Education (ESE) certification.
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Outside of her professional life, Deborah finds joy in storytelling, singing, bicycling, homemaking, crafting, puppetry, time in nature, travel, and art. She shares, “Every moment is an opportunity to find the beauty and goodness that exists within each of us and the world around us.”
Student Support Coordinator
Tiffany Rhodin
Tiffany serves Spring River School as Student Support Coordinator, building on her years of leadership as School Administrator and her deep background in individualized education, neurodiversity, and community-centered learning.
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A parent-turned-staff member whose life has been shaped by a love of Florida’s natural beauty, Tiffany first joined the Spring River community as a parent before stepping into the role of School Administrator from 2023 to 2025. During that time, she guided the school with clarity, warmth, and a strong sense of stewardship, helping the community grow and thrive through a period of exciting expansion.
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Now, as Student Support Coordinator, Tiffany is especially dedicated to meeting the needs of diverse learners. She draws on her experience as a gifted education teacher in Hillsborough County Public Schools, where she collaborated with classroom teachers to design individualized learning plans that nurtured each child’s intellectual curiosity and whole-person growth.
Tiffany holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida, is Orton-Gillingham trained, and has completed a professional certificate in the Foundations of Neurodiversity through Florida State University. Her commitment to holistic education also led her to complete the Waldorf Leadership Development Summer Intensive through the Center for Anthroposophy.
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Beyond her formal training, Tiffany has nurtured families and communities in many ways—from launching her own parent support business focused on babywearing education, to designing and leading family programs at IKEA, where she was chosen to represent IKEA USA in Vietnam through the iWitness initiative supporting children and families worldwide.
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Tiffany lives in Jacksonville with her husband and two sons. She loves spending time outdoors and relaxing at the beach with her family. She feels deeply grateful to continue serving the children and families of Spring River in this new capacity, supporting each child’s unique journey and ensuring they feel seen, known, and supported.
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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.
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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.
On Sabbatical 2025-26
Jackie Stetson
Jackie has held many roles at Spring River since 2019, including Program Director, Class Teacher, Pedagogical Chair, and Student Support Coordinator. With a background in psychology and over a decade in public education, she brings warmth, expertise, and a deep commitment to whole-child learning. She is trained in both Waldorf and mainstream approaches and loves spending time outdoors with her family.
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
A Jacksonville native, Sierra was among the first students at The Playgarden, a local Waldorf kindergarten, more than 25 years ago. Her fond memories of that early experience have deeply shaped her path and passion. Today, she is honored to share her enduring love for Waldorf education with the next generation of children and families at Spring River.
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Sierra has been a dedicated teacher at Spring River since 2018 and has served as the Kindergarten Lead Teacher for the past four years. She is known for cultivating warm, supportive relationships with the families she serves, bringing a gentle and attentive presence to her work with young children.
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A gifted musician, Sierra has studied violin and piano for nearly two decades and performed professionally for over 16 years. Her wide-ranging interests include culture, wilderness trekking, music, and international relations. She holds a deep reverence for the natural world, especially animals, insects, plants, fossils, and holistic medicine.
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Her adventurous spirit once led her to spend a semester in India through a University of Utah program, where she studied wilderness first aid, botany, yoga, language, and white-water rafting. A highlight of this time was helping to build a greenhouse for the mountain town of Ranikhet.
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Sierra is committed to the art and science of early childhood education. She is currently enrolled in the highly regarded Sophia’s Hearth Early Childhood Education and Certification Program, a 500-hour, three-year intensive recognized by the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN), with expected completion in 2025. She also completed the year-long "Building Bridges to Waldorf Education" course, offered by Antioch University and the Center for Anthroposophy.
In addition to her teaching and musical accomplishments, Sierra is trained in CPR/First Aid with a specialization in urban and wilderness first response, and she is certified in lifeguarding through the American Red Cross. She studied International Relations at the University of North Florida.
First Grade Class Teacher
Kelli Hittell
Kelli brings over a decade of experience in early childhood and elementary education, along with a deep commitment to nurturing the whole child. A devoted mother of three, she has spent the past ten years alternating between teaching third grade and staying home to care for her young children—an experience that has deepened her understanding of child development and the importance of connection in learning.
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Kelli is passionate about fostering a classroom environment where every child feels safe, seen, and valued. She draws inspiration from Conscious Discipline, a philosophy that guides her in building strong, compassionate relationships with students and supporting their emotional and academic growth.
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Having previously taught at a Waldorf Charter school, Kelli is excited to continue her journey within the Waldorf tradition. She is especially enthusiastic about embracing the outdoor classroom and the holistic, developmentally-aligned practices that are at the heart of Waldorf education. With warmth, consistency, and joy, Kelli looks forward to guiding her first graders through a foundational and magical year of discovery and growth.
Second Grade Class Teacher
Lyndi Stettner
Lyndi has been a valued part of our Spring River School community, serving as a teaching assistant in our First Grade class for the second half of this year. During this time, she has worked closely under the mentorship of Ms. Megs and Ms. Jackie, gaining firsthand experience in Waldorf education and deepening her understanding of its unique, child-centered approach.
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Lyndi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University and brings a strong foundation in classroom instruction, student support, and differentiated learning. Her prior experience in both public and private educational settings, along with her work as a substitute teacher and youth program leader, has given her a versatile and compassionate approach to teaching.
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What drew Lyndi to Spring River was her heartfelt alignment with the values of Waldorf education, particularly its emphasis on holistic development, outdoor learning, and nurturing the child's imagination and emotional life. While new to the formal Waldorf path, her time assisting in the first-grade classroom has been a formative journey of hands-on learning, reflection, and growth.
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Lyndi is especially excited to continue forward with the same group of students she has come to know and care for deeply, supporting their transition into Grade 2 with warmth, consistency, and a growing wealth of Waldorf-inspired practices. Her calm presence, dedication to experiential learning, and strong rapport with both students and colleagues make her a wonderful fit for this next chapter.
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Third 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.
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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.
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In her quest to strengthen her own skills, Kelly likes to write poetry, study history and genealogy, hike, bike, and walk along the beach.
Fourth Grade Lead Class Teacher
Coming Soon!
We are in the process of interviews for our 4th Grade Class Teacher. Stay Tuned!
Fifth Grade Associate Class Teacher
Nika Spengler
Nika is from Germany and moved with her family to Jacksonville in fall 2022.
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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.
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In Germany, Nika was a teacher for many years at a public school for the grades 1-10, before she discovered her 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.
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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.
Sixth 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.
Seventh 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.
Eighth Grade Class Teacher
Jan Tumminello
Jan brings with her 27 years of teaching experience from a single school in South Florida, where she primarily taught middle school students. In addition to her classroom role, she served as Dean of Students for seven years and managed both the school’s summer camp and after-school programs.
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A passionate educator, Jan has always found ways to integrate her love of science and the outdoors into her teaching. As a 6th-grade science teacher, she led a three-night student excursion to the Everglades. In 7th grade, she organized camping trips to the Florida Keys that included snorkeling and stargazing. For over a decade, she also took students to the mountains of North Carolina for experiences in rock climbing, zip lining, caving, and—most importantly—connecting with nature in meaningful ways.
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Jan holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University. In 2019, she was honored with the Ben Eggers Outstanding Educators Award for the Florida/Georgia region.
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She now lives in Atlantic Beach with her husband Jim, their dog Jackson, and a wonderfully quirky cat named Squeak. In her free time, Jan enjoys hiking (including the Grand Canyon and Appalachian Mountains), camping, reading, quilting, and gardening.
Meet The Spring River Forest, 2-Day Program and Special Subject Teachers
Forest School Lead Teacher & Administrative Coordinator, 2-Day Program First Grade Teacher
Ashlyn Tiberio
Ashlyn Tiberio is a beloved educator and vibrant member of the Spring River community. In the 2025–2026 school year, she will serve as the 1st Grade Class Teacher in the 2-Day Program, in addition to her ongoing roles as Lead Forest School Educator, Administrative Coordinator for the Forest Program, and founder of the Peaceful Steps Parent-Child Program.
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Ashlyn brings a rare blend of creativity, compassion, and intention to her teaching. She is known for designing rich, imaginative curriculum and creating learning experiences that meet the whole child—head, heart, and hands. Whether guiding young families in the woods, mentoring children through seasonal rhythms, or nurturing the foundations of literacy and numeracy, Ashlyn’s work is rooted in reverence, connection, and care.
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Raised in the forests of Western New York, Ashlyn developed a lifelong love for nature, movement, and the arts. A former dancer and visual artist, she later studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Business Management and a minor in Italian Language Studies, including a semester abroad at the American University of Rome. Her travels across Europe and the U.K. deepened her appreciation for culture, language, and human expression.
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Ashlyn’s professional path began in the fashion industry but shifted as she sought a more nature-centered, heart-aligned lifestyle for her family. She became a teaching assistant in Spring River’s Forest School, eventually stepping into leadership and pursuing further training through the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools, the Nature-Based Early Learning Conference, and Antioch University’s courses in Mindfulness for Educators and Supporting All Kinds of Minds. She is also trained in CPR/First Aid with Urban Wilderness emphasis, and is beginning her Waldorf First Grade Teacher Training through the Center for Anthroposophy in summer 2025.
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Ashlyn is passionate about homeschooling, nurturing children’s natural gifts, and holding space for imagination and joy. She is deeply grateful to be part of the Spring River community, where learning unfolds through relationship, rhythm, and wonder.
2-Day Program Combined Second-Third Grade Teacher
Leigh Carpenter
Leigh Carpenter is a dedicated educator, artist, and lifelong student of child development. With over 15 years of experience in Montessori, museum-based, and independent school settings, Leigh brings a rich and compassionate teaching practice to Spring River School’s 2-Day Program, where she serves as the Lead Teacher for the combined 2nd–3rd grade class.
Leigh began her teaching journey at a Christian Montessori School, where she transitioned from art instructor to lead primary teacher. It was during this time that she developed a deep interest in the parallels between childhood development and human history. This interest inspired her thesis, which compared the evolution of Western civilization with the stages of childhood growth.
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Her career has spanned a range of creative and educational roles, including K–8 art educator at St. Simons Christian School and art teacher at MOCA Jacksonville, where she designed lessons through the lens of cultural and historical relevance. Most recently, Leigh served as lead teacher at The Discovery School, where she collaborated with learning specialists, maintained high student retention, and was recognized for her commitment to individualized instruction and strong family partnerships.
Leigh holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Montessori Teacher Education from Xavier University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Art History from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
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Her path to Spring River was both personal and spiritual. After stepping away from the traditional classroom, Leigh found herself drawn to the idea that not all classrooms have walls. Inspired by Spring River’s nature-based and heart-centered approach to learning, she now brings her experience and passion to a community that reflects her values and love of lifelong learning.
Forest School Lead Teacher & 2-Day Program Combined 4th/5th Grade Class Teacher, Movement & Games
Bobby Spahn
Bobby Spahn grew up in the Chicagoland area climbing trees, reading books, picking raspberries, and staying passionately loyal to the Jordan-era Chicago Bulls. From his earliest days as the oldest of four siblings to years spent volunteering in his church’s elementary programs, Bobby has always found purpose in supporting young people.
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He spent three formative summers in his early twenties working at an orphanage in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and later co-led the children’s ministry at Beaches Vineyard Church from 2008–2012. Since 2012, Bobby has served as a pastor at Beaches Vineyard, where he teaches weekly on spiritual and moral development, oversees operations, and leads initiatives centered on compassion, equity, and belonging.
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Bobby joined the faculty at Spring River School in 2024 as a substitute teacher, bringing his unique blend of creativity, relational leadership, and curiosity to nearly every classroom and program, including an eight-week stint in Forest School. He quickly became a beloved presence across campus, nurturing both rhythm and wonder.
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He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from St. Stephen’s University in New Brunswick and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Sustainable Faith. A longtime supporter of heart-centered, developmental education, Bobby has been part of the Spring River parent community since 2019. He and his wife Jess—his collaborator in both life and ministry—will celebrate 20 years of marriage this December. Their two sons, August and Arlo, have been part of the school since its founding in 2018.
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In the 2025–2026 school year, Bobby is delighted to be teaching the 4th/5th grade two-day program, leading Forest School on Fridays, guiding movement classes for elementary students on Mondays and Tuesdays, and continuing as Spring River High’s PE coach. Bobby will complete Waldorf 4th Grade Summer Training in Summer 2025.
Forest School Lead Teacher, Program Developer of Bushcraft and Primitive Skills Class for Middleschoolers
Miranda Pridgen
Outdoor adventurer Miranda Pridgen joined us as the co-Lead Teacher in the Forest School. 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.
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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!
Forest Lead Teacher
Gladdy Trigg
As a homeschooling mother, Gladdy has spent years weaving the Waldorf philosophy into her family’s daily rhythm—nurturing creativity, wonder, and a deep love for nature in her children. Having been homeschooled herself through much of her childhood, she carries a heartfelt understanding of holistic education and the beauty of a nature-connected upbringing.
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Gladdy’s passion for fostering young hearts and minds has guided her through diverse roles: leading circle and story time sessions at Enchanted Cottage, substituting at The Playgarden, and working in pediatric care, where she honed both her nurturing presence and organizational skills. Most recently, her time at a Waldorf-inspired play space deepened her love for creating environments where children grow through imagination, storytelling, song, and open-ended play.
Outside of the forest, Gladdy is a digital artist and entrepreneur, designing apparel for her brand Modern Birth Threads that celebrates mothers, birth workers, and women through her own artwork. She also enjoys crafting logos for local businesses, gardening in the sunshine, and adventuring with her family.
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Dedicated to respectful leadership and building strong human connections, Gladdy delights in guiding children to explore, wonder, and flourish—growing in relationship with themselves, each other, and the natural world.
Forest Lead Teacher
Lauren Denton
Lauren is deeply committed to continuous growth and self-development, embracing education as a true partnership—where teacher and student grow together through curiosity, trust, and shared discovery.
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She began her professional life in business and marketing, but after becoming a mother, Lauren discovered her true calling in education. In 2019, she trained as a Tinkergarten leader, honing her skills in child-led, outdoor learning, creating engaging play invitations, and fostering meaningful parent-child connections. Since then, she has supported students and teachers at a Waldorf-inspired charter school and thoughtfully homeschooled her own children, deepening her understanding of each child’s unique path.
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Lauren brings a wealth of experience in experiential learning, classroom management, and fostering curiosity-driven environments. She excels at using creative strategies to nurture emotional and physical regulation while ensuring every student feels seen, known, and honored for who they are. Whether developing hands-on, multi-sensory curricula or supporting students in moments of challenge, Lauren’s approach is warm, individualized, and rooted in joy.
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A breast cancer survivor, Lauren carries a profound appreciation for life, finding wonder and adventure around every corner. Her journey continues to inspire the vibrant, supportive learning spaces she creates for children and families alike.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.