Faculty & Staff

Ms. Lauren Wheeler

Lead Teacher

Hummingbird Nest Preschool   

Lauren is the lead preschool teacher at Wishing Well School. Raised by the Sierra Nevada’s and spending summers in the Pacific Ocean, Lauren holds a deep love for the ocean and all things outdoors. After finding a meaningful connection to Wishing Well School for her own children, she became inspired by the daily inner workings of Waldorf Education. With the spirit and experience of an artist and musician, she is excited to share her love for beauty, song, and nature with all.

She currently holds a teaching certificate for Early Childhood Education and a Waldorf Teaching Certification through Sound Circle Center in Seattle, WA. She believes in nurturing the child’s whole spirit and is excited and honored to be a part of the children’s growth and learning here at Wishing Well.

Ms. Stephanie Ferris

Lead Teacher

Buttercup Kindergarten

Stephanie is a trained Waldorf Early Childhood Educator with over 10 years of experience in various Waldorf programs.  Most recently, she was teaching at the Cedarwood Waldorf School in Portland Oregon as the lead Buttercup pre-kindergarten teacher where she taught for 7 years.  In addition, she has completed a three-year Nurturing the Roots therapeutic training, earning a certificate in therapeutic educational support. Before being called to Waldorf education, she took up the art of midwifery and brought many beautiful babies into the world as a doula. She was very active in the birth world, advocating for families, teaching childbirth classes, helping to establish breastfeeding, and settling families into the postpartum nest.  

Stephanie is the mother of two boys, Christian and Colbey, and homeschooled them with the support of the Waldorf homeschooling community in Bellingham, WA.  Now they are grown and are enjoying their adult independence in the Pacific Northwest.  Almost three years ago, her big boy became a father, with the blessing of welcoming baby girl Serenity Juniper into the family. When Stephanie is not enjoying the warmth, love, and magic of the early childhood classroom, she is laughing, hiking, and visiting with her family, spending time with the plant and animal kingdom, and homemaking.  She loves to move her body and spend time with the  people she loves.

Ms. Grisel Puig-Snider

Teacher Assistant

Buttercup Kindergarten

“Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education.” -~Rudolf Steiner

Born and raised on the island of Puerto Rico, my roots grew in the Taino traditions of my grandmothers and the wise elders of our community. They taught me to honor the earth and celebrate her cycles, care for her creatures and plants, grow food and make medicine, and share with neighbors to improve everyday life. At this time on earth, many of us are recreating this cherished wisdom in our homes and in our communities.

I am a wife and mother of three beloved children in Los Osos. As an herbalist, I touch the healing power of plants, preparing medicines that cleanse and heal naturally. After nearly five years of operating a local art studio, gathering local artists and skilled craftspeople to teach public classes, organizing workshops for women and for teenagers, and providing art classes and events for children to explore art together, I am so excited to return to Early Childhood education. In my prior 8 years in bilingual Kindergarten, I found a special richness in getting to know each child as a burgeoning individual, fostering trust and confidence in an environment of true exploration. Now, I feel so honored and blessed to bring all of my experience to join the incredibly supportive Wishing Well community. 

In my free time you will find me in nature – either mountain biking, hiking, camping, or simply enjoying time with family and friends outdoors.

Ms. Katie Sebastian

Lead Teacher

Sunflower Kindergarten

Katie Sebastian grew up in Marin County. Surrounded by water and redwood trees, her love for nature started at a young age. She moved to San Luis Obispo and graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies/Early Elementary Education. While in college, she was a nanny for a Waldorf family and learned about Waldorf Education by getting to know the Wishing Well School community. She was in awe of everything the children were learning, doing, and exploring. 

She then traveled to Central and South America and returned to receive a degree from Bauman College in Berkeley, a holistic school for nutrition and cooking. Katie has worked as a certified Holistic Nutritionist, working alongside children for several years. She started her Waldorf Teacher Training in 2020 while working as a Kindergarten Assistant at San Francisco Waldorf School. She is now returning to the Central Coast to continue to deepen her first passion, working with children. She is excited to share her love of nature and watch children grow, blossom, and explore the wonders of the world.

Ms.  Emma Smith

Teacher Assistant 

Sunflower kindergarten

Emma Smith is  an experienced Early Childhood educator and family postpartum Doula. She has twenty plus years of experience working among young children and families with young children, as well as working with children and adults in the neurodivergent community.  Earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the California State University of California, Long Beach, she extensively studied early childhood development, the parent/child relationship, and the developing family unit. 

Emma was first introduced to the Waldorf pedagogy when her eldest daughter began Waldorf School. Since then, Waldorf education has graciously woven itself  into the thread of her family.  

Born in Kobe, Japan, raised in Southern California, Emma is proud of her Korean, Japanese and American heritage. Emma has fond memories from childhood and spending summers in Japan with her family. Traveling and studying Korean and Japanese childbirth traditions, as an adult, has enriched her understanding and has added more depth to her teachings around the evolving young family. Emma and her family have recently made the Central Coast their permanent home. She has a deep love and respect for nature; she loves exploring and adventuring in nature with her family. Emma also enjoys crocheting, knitting, and gardening.  

Ms. Jade franklin

Early CHildhood Aftercare Lead Teacher

Jade grew up in Los Osos among a strong community of family and friends. She started nannying at a young age and knew early on that working with children was her path and her passion. Jade brings with her a Bachelor's Degree in Child Development from Cal Poly and nearly 10 years of experience working in the field of literacy instruction at Lindamood-Bell. After leaving Lindamood-Bell, she began offering private reading intervention services to students through her private practice, Jade’s Reading Solutions. 

She is excited to be joining the Wishing Well team, as she has long been interested in delving deeper into the holistic approach to education that Waldorf offers. She is thrilled to be joining a community that values the outdoors and creativity as much as she does.

In her free time, Jade enjoys writing, yoga, hiking, camping, spending time with loved ones, and traveling. She has had the opportunity to volunteer working with children in Ecuador, Vietnam, and Cambodia, and she is always looking forward to her next grand adventure!

Ms. Kimberly Raine

grade one teacher

Kimberly Raine was born in Los Angeles and raised in Orange County by a single mother with her five brothers. In her childhood, she spent hours with her mother gardening, sewing, grinding grains, baking, cooking, preserving fruits and vegetables and lots of crafting. Kimberly found her way to Waldorf through her two sons in 1994. 

Kimberly brings a wealth of experience from teaching both kindergarten and the grades and also mentoring colleagues at the Waldorf School of Orange County, Westside Waldorf School, Maple Village Waldorf School, Seeds of Joy, and lastly Monarch Hills at City Farm SLO. 

Kimberly is currently in the Biodynamic Farmer Training living on 10 acres near Lake Nacimiento in Bradley, CA along with her goats, chickens, sheep and new lambs.

Ms. Kolea Quincey

GRADE two Teacher 

Kolea is a California native, born and raised in Venice beach. She has explored the state extensively and spent 2 years as a teenager on the Central Coast, living in Morro Bay and attending Cuesta College. 

Kolea discovered Waldorf Education in the early 70’s and has devoted her life to class teaching in various schools. Additionally, she has had the opportunity to serve as a Board member, Faculty Chair, School Mentor, founder, Choir Director, and Music Program director in both the private and public sector. She recently graduated an 8thgrade class that she had taught since First grade. She enjoyed the 8th grade curriculum and the age group immensely and is excited to teach it again! 

Kolea has three grown children who attended Waldorf Schools. Her daughter, Rose, lives in Australia and Kolea loves to visit. In addition to her love of travel, she is a musician who enjoys playing music with others on her ukulele, mandolin, and piano.

Ms. MARI SHINTANI

GRADE THREE TEACHER

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” ― Rumi.  

Japanese by birth, Panamanian in soul, Hawaiian in heart and spirit, Mari Shintani’s love and joy for teaching are described beautifully with these words by Rumi. As our Grade Three Class Teacher, she brings the richness of her over 25 years of experience as an educator and her multi-cultural world view. Mari Shintani was born in Japan, raised in the Republic of Panama, and also called home Guyana, Indonesia, and Hawai’i. 

Shortly after her Bachelor of Science and graduate studies of Horticulture Technology and Marine Option program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Ms. Shintani’s focus turned towards the understanding of education as a bridge into the future. This transition inspired her to obtain her Montessori Early Childhood International certification through the London Montessori Centre and her Waldorf Elementary Teacher Certification at the Honolulu Waldorf School’s training center. 

Ms. Shintani joyfully received her first First Grade Class in 2002 and is excited to welcome her fourth Third Grade class in the fall of 2023.  While teaching the grades at the Honolulu Waldorf School, Ms. Shintani developed the school’s first Spanish curriculum program and helped launch the program by teaching Spanish to grades 1 and 2.  Ms. Shintani is also a certified life coach, health coach, and a CranioSacral Therapy practitioner.  

Mr. Matt Dusek

Grade FOUR Teacher

Matt has a passion for wild beauty and a reverence for humankind’s interrelationship with nature. This was surely birthed out of his childhood experiences on a small farm with his three brothers in Northern Illinois. 

Matt began his work in Waldorf education after graduating from Prescott College in 2003. His first steps down this path were taken at the Siskiyou School in Ashland, Oregon. He began his career as a games teacher and class assistant and was delighted by the encouragement of many experienced teachers. He went on to receive his Waldorf Teaching Certificate, completing the Masters program in Waldorf education through Antioch University of Keene, New Hampshire in 2008, and has taught as a class teacher ever since. 

It has been his life’s work to help children into themselves by breathing life into the archetypes that are woven throughout the stories and imagery of this curriculum.  Matt has come to joyfully surrender to, and patiently trust, the soulfulness and integrity of Waldorf education.

Mr. Brian ruel

Grades Five & Six Teacher

Brian Ruel is completing his 24th year as a class teacher in Waldorf schools.  He comes to us most recently from the Seattle Waldorf School, where he recently graduated an 8th grade for the third time in his career. He has also taught in Waldorf Schools in Southern California, upstate New York, Canterbury, England, and the Pacific Northwest.  He completed his teacher training at Antioch New England.

His passion for teaching came a bit later in life, having worked as a journalist, in city government administration, and in real estate, among other things. Brian grew up in Southern Maine, where he developed a love of travel.  Brian has sung semi-professionally with a group of people he met while teaching in Bellingham, WA.  He particularly loves the drama part of the Waldorf curriculum and has even directed faculty productions in years past.

Brian and his wife Jane have one son, a Waldorf lifer (K-12) who is now working professionally as a senior bio scientist in San Diego.  Brian is looking forward to returning to California life and taking his sea kayak into the SLO county waters.  

Mr. Joshua Wheeler

Grades Seven & EIGHT Teacher

Having grown up in Morro Bay, Joshua calls his home, on land, the Central Coast of California. Although, he is a local at sea. He has spent his years up and down the coasts of Oregon and California, exploring the vast gifts that the sea has to offer. While living aboard as a child and going to school by dinghy on Catalina Island, he gained a love and passion for nature and for the natural rhythms around him. This nurtured his openness and curiosity about life and all things living in our world. 

Mr. Wheeler has completed his Waldorf Teacher Certification through Sound Circle Center for Arts and Anthroposophy in Seattle. Mr. Wheeler’s two children attend Wishing Well School. After seeing them grow in fullness and prosperity, it has sparked within him a wildfire for Waldorf Education.

Maestra Karina

Spanish Teacher

Karina was born and raised at the foot of the Peruvian Andes, where she was immersed in her community’s Andean Cosmovision and their reciprocity with nature and the healing world. Her path was woven by exploring classical music and the visual arts inspired by her grandparents’ musical artistry and storytelling circles.  Fluent in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and Catalan, she studied Tourism and Interpreting of Romance Languages at San Agustin National University in Arequipa, Peru.  

After several years of showing her country as a tour conductor, mostly to Europeans, she decided to travel and live in beautiful New Hampshire to experience life in the four seasons. She lived there for six years, moving eventually to California’s Central Coast where she earned a B.A. in Modern Languages and Literature from California Polytechnic State University. Her upbringing in Andean Cosmology, led her to pursue a training in Anthroposophical Therapeutic Speech Formation and Movement in Spain and Switzerland.  As a passionate language teacher and world traveler, she regularly meets with Waldorf and Anthroposophical groups and communities all around Latin America and Europe. Karina loves to share with her students her multicultural background and traveling adventures through storytelling and the rhythms of the world, expressing herself with her Native American flutes and the Paraguayan harp. She is continuously inspired by children, leading her teaching approach with gratitude, altruism and love.

Ms. Kyra Smith

Handwork Teacher

Kyra Smith grew up in the Silicon Valley.  Kyra was part of the first graduating high school class at the Waldorf School of the Peninsula.  She has recently relocated to the central coast and is loving the coastal air. She is currently studying for her California teaching credentials.  Kyra was previously working at the Waldorf School of the Peninsula for the past two years.  She has had a lifelong passion for handwork, even though there are a pair of unfinished socks in her project basket.  In her off time Kyra likes to read, play games, and of course knit and sew. 

Mr. MaTT Philipp

Math Specialist

Mr. Philipp is excited to join Wishing Well School for the 2023-24 school year. Prior to joining Wishing Well, he taught at other SLO schools for five years and in Virginia for eight years. He also enjoyed two other careers before discovering his vocation as an educator. Along the way, he graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (BS, Marine Biology), Duke University (MEM, Coastal Environmental Management), and George Mason University (M.Ed. in Special Education). 

Matt was born in New York and raised in North Carolina. In 2018, he and his wife migrated across the country from the DC-metro area to SLO. His pastimes include reading (he loves re-reading Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh), hiking the Central Coast, cooking Armenian and Italian recipes from his grandmothers, bicycling around downtown SLO, relaxing along beaches, traveling the world, and telling stories with friends via tabletop role-playing games.

Mr. Philipp is passionate about developing growth mindsets, modeling positivity, and enabling success for all students. He is excited to connect with Wishing Well’s mathematicians as they evolve into imaginative, independent problem-solvers!
 

Ms. Lillian Dennis

GRADES GAMES TEACHER & HOMEWORK CLUB

Lillian Dennis is a San Luis Obispo native. She graduated from San Luis Obispo high school and earned her BCLAD, multiple subject teaching credential from Cal Poly. Additionally, Lillian holds an Associates degree in Mathematics. She has enjoyed the challenge of teaching a range of subjects to a variety of students across the grades, from the Pacific Valley School in Big Sur to Georgia Brown Elementary in Paso Robles. Lillian is very excited to finally teach close to home at Wishing Well School and explore the foundations of Waldorf Education. Lillian loves being creative by playing her violin, making jewelry, and crafting. Lillian enjoys being active by hiking, dancing, camping, playing basketball and pretty much any other sport that involves activity.

Ms. Lynne Oliverius

Orchestra Instructor (4th – 8th Grades)

Lynne began her musical journey at the age of 3 in her hometown of Pekin, Illinois, where she sang in the church cherub choir and the director noted to her mother, “she sings on pitch and knows rhythm.  Please nurture this gift.”  Piano lessons began at age 5, violin in 4th grade, and cello in 6th; singing in choirs and as a soloist has never ended. Lynne was drawn to the Suzuki method of teaching when the Japanese tour group of violinists ages 5-12 performed in Illinois, some of whom were housed with her family.  She was the first undergrad student accepted into a 4 year degree program focusing on Suzuki music education, early childhood, classroom music and performance.  

With a BA from Western Illinois University and a Masters from University of Illinois, as well as studies with Dr. Suzuki in Germany, Lynne was brought full circle in founding and directing 3 music schools in Illinois with enrollments of 300 students and a staff of 8.  She also piloted Kindermusik Village focusing on music for families and babies. After 30 years of teaching in Illinois, Lynne sought a different path and ventured out west with only what her car and heart could hold to see what wonders life held. 

Landing on the Central Coast purely by chance, having no idea what life would become, she has created a home full of joy, happiness, and many students. She performs with her group, Encore Strings, and in area orchestras. Her daughter lives in LA, a harpist, works in sound for film and TV.  Lynne loves her new blissful home in paradise and enjoys reading, sewing, gardening, and sharing this life with her new canine rescue pal Spark. She is very happy to be joining and sharing with the families and staff at Wishing Well School; Lynne looks forward to nurturing our young musicians’ string fingers and hearts.

In August 2022, Lynne was appointed to the National Suzuki Association of the Americas board and will assist in creating global musical opportunities for children.

Ms. Laura Cobb

Education & Resource Specialist

Laura was born and raised in Japan, where she grew up navigating two cultures and languages. As a child Laura was surrounded by a family full of teachers, so it was no surprise that she decided to pursue her bachelors in Elementary Education when she moved to Minnesota for college.  Post-graduation she was ready for a new adventure and moved to Yosemite in 2007.  There, she spent six wonderful years teaching outdoor education at Yosemite Institute.  In her free time, Laura enjoyed all that nature had to offer, including rock climbing, backpacking, and playing in the snow.

After leaving Yosemite, Laura delved into the world of Waldorf Education and spent three years working at a Waldorf charter school in Sacramento while earning her Waldorf Teaching Certificate at Rudolf Steiner College.  She moved to the Central Coast in 2017 and was thrilled to find Wishing Well School in Los Osos.  Laura was honored to work as the class teacher for the First & Second Grade class at Wishing Well. In 2018, she and her husband welcomed their daughter Alice (aka Bunny) and Laura decided to take several years away from teaching to stay be home.  Bunny is now a student at Wishing Well in the early childhood program and Laura is greatful to be a part of the Wishing Well community again!!
 

Ms. Jane Dudley-Ruel

Classroom aid

Jane Dudley-Ruel has been involved in Waldorf Education for more than thirty years.  After raising two children she went back to college and earned a degree in English/Education.  She then discovered Waldorf Education and pursued her Foundation Studies and teacher training at Micha-el Institute, Portland, OR and continued at NEWTT Antioch NE. She has taught all levels and grades starting with high school and most recently as a first grade mentor and assistant.  

Her teaching and travels have ranged from coast to coast in the USA and four years in Canterbury, Kent, UK.  Past occupations have included library work, education preparation for at-risk teen-agers, and recently as a public school MLL paraeducator.  Her volunteer background with Big Brothers/Sister NH,  the Boys Club, and Kids Into Drama  reflect her love of working with all ages, needs, and interests.  She and her husband Brian, have a son, Travers, who is a Waldorf graduate with 17 years in various Waldorf programs. She is eager to come back to California and Waldorf Education.  

MR. FARMER

SITE MANAGER & GRADES AFTERCARE

Mr Farmer was raised in Oregon, amidst the many wandering rivers and nurturing forests of the Willamette Valley. He became a sponsored and competitive skateboarder at the young age of 13 and started teaching others when he was 16 to help others achieve their goals. In 2010, Mr. Farmer moved to the central coast of California, where he became a national skateboard contest series judge and traveled the country sharing prizes and building community with many different walks of life.

Wanting to reconnect with nature, he then delved into the canyonlands and forests of the Colorado plateau, where he landed a crew lead position at American Conservation Experience. There he guided and led young adults on wild missions to restore balance and build access to some of the Southwest’s premier National Parks and forests. After which, he went along to Green String Institute and taught students to cultivate food and nourish their local community. This brought to him an ever willingness to share what joys lay at our feet by tending to the land, making work fun, and overcoming adversities. 

MS. XELINA LEYBA

KITCHEN MANAGER

Xelina is a California native who found her way into food & hospitality at the tender age of sixteen. This passion blossomed when she moved to San Francisco five years later and was delighted by the abundance and care given by farms and producers and restaurants alike. She delved into all aspects of restaurant work, and owned and operated a Michelin starred (*) restaurant for 10 years. 

Xelina and her husband, Frank, are thrilled to be raising their three young sons in Los Osos. They love going to the farmer's market, working in their yard, and going on family walks. Xelina loves to work with her hands, using found and re-purposed materials for hand sewing, embroidery, and weaving while making all sorts of beautiful things for friends and family.

Xelina is continually inspired by and grounded in the cosmos and her ancestral traditions. Of the three R’s, Reverence is what holds a special place in her heart. She is honored to be cooking for the children of Wishing Well.
 

Ms. Liza O’Sullivan

EVENTS, MARKETING & Technical MANAGER

Liza grew up in the small town of Davis, CA and graduated from Sacramento Waldorf High School. She holds an Engineering Degree in Construction Management from Chico State and spent 15 years in the construction industry, as a Project Manager running large scale projects.

In 2018, Liza “retired” and spent three years traveling/camping with her husband, two young children and their dog, exploring California and Southern Oregon in search of beauty, community, and a new place to call home. While traveling Liza began studying Leadership Education and Waldorf Homeschool curriculum, web design, and initiated a new small family business. In the Fall of 2020, their family stumbled upon Morro Bay, fell in love and became residents in January of 2021. 

Enthusiastic and passionate about Waldorf education, she is thrilled to join the office team and the school in their mission to grow and to become an AWSNA-accredited organization. 

Dr. Hilary Soldati

Administrative Director

A New Hampshire native,  the Central Coast became Hilary’s “heart home” nearly 20 years ago.  Her career life meandered through many chapters, beginning with studies in Cello Performance at New York University.  Ultimately, she completed both her Bachelor’s and her Doctoral Degree in Resource Economics at UC Berkeley; she occasionally lectures for CalPoly’s Economics department.  Her in between chapters were spent traversing the US on four wheels, managing a youth hostel, volunteering with hospice, and starting a family.

Hilary and her husband, an alum from the Waldorf School of the Peninsula, are thankful to have been able to educate their three children in various Waldorf programs, from Lexington, MA, to the Bay Area to the Central Coast.  Hilary has been actively engaged in each school community, whether as a Class Parent, a volunteer coordinator, office personnel, or as a Board member.  Enthusiastic and passionate about the gifts that Waldorf education has to offer the child, the family, and the greater community, Hilary is thrilled and honored to be part of helping Wishing Well School continue to grow and thrive.