Faculty & Staff

MRs. 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.

Mrs. Tricia Durham

Buttercup Kindergarten assistant

MRs. Katie VEASY

Lead Teacher

Sunflower Kindergarten

Katie Veasy 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.

MRs. alyssa steller

grade one teacher

Alyssa has always wanted to work in education as a teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Child Development at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Eager to understand how we learn, she asks, "What does a child need to be healthy and to thrive?" This query has fueled her enthusiasm for outdoor learning and an education that honors human development. She was introduced to Waldorf Education through Wishing Well School in 2011, and this encounter inspired her to pursue Waldorf teacher training. While studying at Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, CA, she also earned a Waldorf Learning Support certificate, motivated to meet diverse learners' needs. 

Proudly having taught her first cycle of students at the San Francisco Waldorf School from first through eighth grades, Alyssa dedicated herself to delivering the full Waldorf curriculum to her lively class. She finds the dynamic curriculum fulfilling, nourishing both students and teachers alike.

Beyond the classroom, Alyssa and her family embrace the enchanting beauty of the central coast. Nature walks with her family bring joy and inspiration.

MRs. Kimberly Raine

grade two 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 Three/four 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.

Mr. Matt Dusek

Grade Five/siX 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. 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.

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.

MRs. Grisel Puig-Snider

SPANISH TEACHER

“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. 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. 

MRs. 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.

MRs. 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!!
 

MR. steven 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. 

Mrs. Kim Wishon

School Founder and administrative director

Kim Wishon was born and raised in Marin County, California.  After receiving a B.A in Spanish with a minor in Special Education from The University of Oregon, she knew she wanted to teach but was discouraged with the public school system.   She found Waldorf education, fell in love and has made it her life’s work.  She completed her Waldorf teacher training in San Francisco through Rudolf Steiner College and then dove into Waldorf teaching. She has taught every grade and every subject (except Eurythmy, which she loves) over her twenty plus years of experience.

After a flood uprooted her family, they made their way to the Central Coast.  She started the school in her home in 2008 with 6 children (two of which were her twins).  After becoming a non-profit 501c3 and building the school by hand and with heart, it sprouted wings. With steady nurturing and the efforts of many beautiful people along the way, it has grown to what it is today, a preschool – 8th grade, full school program following Waldorf principles. Kim has worn all the hats of founding a school.  She loves working with the teachers, students and families to bring the best educational experience to all.  On the side, you can find her coaching Morro Bay High girls soccer, hiking, cycling, loving being with her teenagers, and taking walks along the bay with her little dog Mikey Biggs.  She is thrilled to have brought Waldorf education to the Central Coast and hopes to help Wishing Well to continue to grow and shine in the years ahead.

Mrs. Liza O’Sullivan

Business & Marketing 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. 

Mrs. Teresa beakman

office coordinator

Teresa grew up in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida, surrounded by butterflies, frogs, manatees, turquoise water, and sugar sand beaches. Her love of nature and animals drew her to study biology and ecology at the University of South Florida. After earning her B.S. and M.S. in biology, she worked as a biologist at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute before relocating to Eugene, Oregon. While enjoying the beautiful Willamette Valley, Teresa studied secondary science education and earned her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Oregon. For the past 11 years, she has enjoyed teaching science to K-12 students in Oregon and California.

Teresa moved to Los Osos in 2018 and never wants to leave! She lives with her husband, two beautiful children, and lots of critters. She is excited to join the Wishing Well community as part of the office staff and is eager to learn more about Waldorf education.