Early Childhood Faculty
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Mary Huggard (she/her)
Director and Facilitator of Parent and Child Programs and Parent and Infant Programs, Early Childhood Faculty Chair She has been facilitating Parent and Child groups every year since 2001. Mary has a B.A. and B.Ed. from Queen’s University. She has completed Foundations in Anthroposophy Part I. Mary joined the Mulberry Waldorf School faculty in 2001 and is an alumni parent. When not focused on Mulberry, Mary enjoys hiking, paddling, swimming, snowshoeing and/or skiing in the woods and lakes of the country north of Kingston where her family shares land and ‘off-grid’ living with friends. |
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Allison Vandersanden
Facilitator of Parent & Infant and Pregnancy Circle Program Allie is a forest school mentor certified through The Child Nature Alliance, and is trained as an early childhood educator through the North American Montessori Centre. She holds a B.A. from Trent University where she studied English literature. Allie is passionate about space holding for children, families, and community, and has worked in various children’s programs and nature schools for the past ten years. Allie has previously worked as a supply teacher in Morning Garden and Kindergarten, and currently attends the Parent & Child class with her son. |
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Bek Zolnierczyk
Morning Garden Lead Teacher Update to come |
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Julia Miranda
Morning Garden Assistant Teacher Julia has a B.A.H. in History and Spanish from Queen's University, a B.Ed. in Primary/Junior Education also from Queen's University, and a certificate in Foundations of Early Childhood Music Pedagogy from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has completed Foundations in Anthroposophy Part 1 and has completed a Grade School intensive training week at the Rudolf Steiner Centre (RSCT). She is a returning member of the Mulberry faculty, having worked previously in Kindergarten, Morning Garden, KinderCare, After Care, and Grade 1 & 2. |
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Atallia Burke
Morning Garden Assistant Teacher Atallia is a graduate from the Early Childhood Education program from St. Lawrence College and a Registered Early Childhood Educator. She completed a General Arts and Science Diploma from Algonquin College in addition to certificates in Pre-Animation and Illustration and Introduction to Fine Arts. With her passion for creating and teaching fine arts, Atallia taught at the Kingston School of Art for five years, serving as both the Children's Program Coordinator and Instructor. Her interest and admiration for Waldorf education were sparked when she first attended the Mulberry Parent and Child program with her son in the fall of 2022. |
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Claudia Lama
Morning Garden Assistant Teacher Claudia has a B.A. in Psychology from Universidad de las Americas-Puebla in Mexico and a Certificate of Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher from Rudolf Steiner College Canada . Claudia became passionate about Waldorf education when she homeschooled her children in a Waldorf inspired way, which led her to began studying Foundations in Anthroposophy and to complete her Waldorf Early Childhood Education in 2022. Claudia and her family (two children ) joined Mulberry in 2021. |
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Tasha Latimer
Kindergarten Lead Teacher |
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Elissa Smith
Kindergarten Lead Teacher Elissa has a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University, as well as Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Certification. She has worked with children from birth to six and their families for the last 20 years, including six years at Mulberry as a Kindergarten Assistant and a Lead Preschool Teacher. Before joining Mulberry, she taught at Toronto Waldorf School, volunteered at the Halton Waldorf School and ran a Waldorf inspired home day care. Elissa is delighted to return to Mulberry as a Kindergarten teacher. She enjoys reading, spending time in nature, and being with her family. Her daughter is a current Mulberry Grade School student. |
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Gillian Goff
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher Gillian Goff completed her Early Childhood Education studies at St. Lawrence College, followed by her Foundation Studies at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Toronto. With a passion for holistic and child-centered education, she expanded her expertise through summer training programs in Vermont and New York. A part of the Mulberry community since 2005, Gillian brings her love for learning and a playful spirit to her work, helping little ones grow and thrive with creativity and care. |
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Janie Jang
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher Janie has a B.A. from Concordia University, a Culinary Certificate from Niagara on the Lake, and a diploma in Early Childhood Education from St. Lawrence College. She completed Foundations in Anthroposophy Part I through the Rudolf Steiner Centre. Janie joined the Mulberry Waldorf School faculty in 2014 and is an alumni parent. |
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Shay Feuer
Nutritional Coordinator Shay earned her BA (Theology and Philosophy) from Sarah Lawrence College in New York and her MA in Philosophy from Concordia University in Montreal. She holds a graduate certificate in Mental Health and Addictions from St. Lawrence College. Shay joined the Mulberry community in 2012 as a parent of a child who is currently enrolled in grade 8, and embarked on her role as nutritional coordinator in 2022. Shay feels passionately that wholesome food, intentionally prepared, nurtures mind, body and spirit. |
Grade School Faculty
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Remira Pryce
Grade 1/2 Lead Teacher Remira has a B.A. and B. Ed. from Queen's University, and is OCT certified as an Intermediate/Secondary teacher in Music and History. She has worked in Early Childhood care for eight years, and has been making and teaching music for many more years than that. She joined Mulberry Waldorf School as an After Care teacher in 2019, and the Music Specialty Teacher in 2022. |
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Sarah Davis
Grade 1/2 Assistant Teacher Sarah is a brand-new addition to the Mulberry team, joining in November 2025. She holds a B.A.H., B.Ed., and a Certificate in International Studies from Queen’s University, and is currently completing her Master’s in Museum Education remotely through the University of British Columbia. With a background as a professional actress, competitive dancer, and camp leader, Sarah has always been passionate about the arts and their role in children’s learning. She believes deeply in nurturing a love of learning in the early years and is excited to bring her enthusiasm for holistic, arts-integrated education to Mulberry. |
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Shelsey Taylor (she/her)
Grade 3 Lead Teacher and Handwork Teacher Shelsey has a B. Sc. from Royal Roads University and a B. Ed. from Queen's University. This past summer she completed the Grade 4 Intensive Training at the Toronto Waldorf School. Shelsey joined the Mulberry Waldorf School faculty in 2019-2020 as an Assistant Teacher, then from 2021-2022 was the Physical Education and Handwork Teacher. Prior to teaching at Mulberry, Shelsey was the Outdoor Education Facilitator for the ALCDSB at the H.R. Frink Centre in Plainfield, ON. |
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Nadia Bhalla (she/her)
Grade 3 Assistant Teacher |
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Marion Gardiner
Grade 4 Lead Teacher Marion has more than fifteen years of international teaching experience in the United Arab Emirates, China, and Northern Ontario, where she most recently taught Grade 7 in Kasabonika Lake. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Acadia University, a postgraduate qualification in education from the University of Sunderland, and Cambridge University English teaching certification. Marion is also trained in the Lindamood-Bell phonological awareness program, reflecting her commitment to supporting students’ literacy development. Having worked with students from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, Marion brings warmth, adaptability, and a global perspective to her teaching. She is dedicated to nurturing students’ academic growth, confidence, and social-emotional well-being. After becoming familiar with Mulberry Waldorf last year as the Grade 4/5 Assistant Teacher, she is delighted to continue contributing to the school community. |
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D'Arcy Colby
Grade 5/6 Lead Teacher D’Arcy brings over 25 years of teaching experience in Waldorf education, having guided students from Grades 1 to 7 at schools across Canada. She holds a B.Ed. from the University of British Columbia, a Waldorf Teacher Certificate from the Steiner Centre in Toronto, and a BFA in Dance from York University. Her background in the arts supports a rich, integrated approach to learning that nurtures creativity, confidence, and whole-child development. In addition to her classroom work, D’Arcy is a certified yoga and meditation instructor who has co-led mindfulness retreats across North America. Her teaching is deeply rooted in contemplative practice and Anthroposophy, fostering a calm, attentive, and compassionate classroom environment. D’Arcy believes strongly in the healing and empowering potential of Waldorf education—an approach that meets children where they are and helps them grow into capable, thoughtful individuals prepared for a complex world. |
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Sue McCoubrey
Educational Assistant Sue has a diploma in Early Childhood Education from St. Lawrence College, a Developmental Service Work Diploma from Algonquin College, and a certificate in Infant Mental Health from York University. Sue joined the Mulberry Waldorf School faculty in 2018. |
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Katrina Nowak
Educational Assistant |
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Maureen Mellor (she/her)
Educational Support Teacher Maureen has a B.A. and B. Ed. from Queen's University. She completed Ministry of Education courses in Music, Reading, and Intermediate Education during her 29-year teaching career with the Upper Grand District School Board. Maureen joined the Mulberry Waldorf School faculty in 2018. |
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Mhairi Gray (she/her)
Grade 7/8 Lead Teacher Mhairi has a B.A. from the University of Toronto and completed Waldorf Teacher Training through the Rudolf Steiner Centre Toronto. She has an AMI Montessori Teaching (preschool) Diploma. She completed Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy and one year of Visual Arts Studies at Emerson College in the U.K. Prior to joining the Mulberry Waldorf School faculty in 2012, Mhairi was a Class Teacher at The Acorn School, a Waldorf-inspired school in the U.K. She is an alumni parent of two children. |
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Maria Biasotti
Grade 1-4 and 7/8 French Language Teacher Maria has a B. Ed. at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, a M. Ed. at Mount Saint Vincent University. She has taken multiple courses at University of Ottawa for French Methodology and has taught French, English and Spanish as second languages. She has completed Foundations in Anthroposophy part 1 through RSCT, and has begun part 2. Maria joined the Mulberry Waldorf School faculty in 2018 and has a child in the grade school. |
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Tracey Guptill
Grade 5/6 French Language Teacher |
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Jess Koehn
Grade 1/2, 4/5, and 6/7 Handwork Teacher Jess has a B.A. in Art History from Queen’s University and a Certificate in Community Herbalism from Pacific Rim College. Her art focuses on textile design and the use of natural plant dyes. She is drawn to plants not only for their quality of colour but also for their medicinal properties. Before joining the Mulberry Waldorf School in 2025, Jess worked with the Child and Adolescent Development Research Group in the Queen’s University Department of Psychology. |
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Molly Luhta
Grade 3 to 8 Music Teacher |
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Glenn Morton
Grade 5 to 8 Physical Education Teacher Glenn holds a B.Sc. ENV from the University of Guelph, a diploma in Adventure and Ecotourism Management from Sir Sandford Fleming College, and a B.Ed. from Nipissing University. After earning his teaching degree, Glenn co-founded one of North America's largest stand-up paddle board brands. He has extensive experience coaching and instructing adventure sports such as snowboarding, windsurfing, and stand up paddle boarding. Glenn is also an alumni parent of Mulberry's Early Childhood programs. |
Administration
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Peelu Hira (she/her)
Administrative Head Peelu has a B. Sc. (Biochemistry) from Laurentian University and a M. Sc. (Biochemistry) from Queen’s University. She worked for nine years in the federal government in a line departments and central agencies. She and her family joined the Mulberry community in 2001, beginning in the Parent & Child program. She was the Board Chair from 2004 to 2008. Peelu joined the Mulberry Waldorf School staff in 2008. She is an alumni parent of two children, who have graduated from Queen's University and now working in their fields. |
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Jenny Taylor (she/her)
Pedagogical Director and Human Resources Chair Student Support Teacher Jenny has a B. Sc. (Biology) from McMaster University, and a B. Ed., M. Ed., and Ph. D. in Education from Queen's University. She has completed Foundations in Anthroposophy Part I and II. Jenny joined the Mulberry Waldorf School faculty in 2010. She started as a Parent and Child facilitator and Kindergarten Assistant, and was a Kindergarten Lead Teacher for over seven years. Previous leadership roles have included Early Childhood Pedagogical Chair and Governance Chair. She is an alumni parent of three children. |
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Lois Bulch (she/her)
Finance Officer Lois has a Business and Marketing diploma from St. Lawrence College. She worked in the banking and financial services industry for almost 15 years. Lois joined the Mulberry Waldorf School staff in 2012. She is an alumni parent of two children. |
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Christine Chapman (she/her)
Administrative Assistant Christine has a B. Sc. (Chemistry/Physical Geography) and a M.Ed. from Queen’s University, and a B. Ed. from Lakehead University. She taught Middle School Science in South America and the Caribbean for six years and worked with educational research groups at Queen’s University for eight years. She and her family joined the Mulberry Community in 2011 when they started in the Parent and Child program with their son. She has completed Foundations in Anthroposophy part 1. Christine joined the Mulberry office team in 2018 and she is an alumni parent. |
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Gema Balderas
Administrative Assistant and Marketing Coordinator Gema has a Bachelor of Communications from ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara in México. In 2022 she completed the Digital Marketing Communications and User Experience Design diplomas from St. Lawrence College. Gema and her family arrived in Canada in 2021, and her child is a current Mulberry grade school student. |
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Rob Hudson
Facilities Manager |
