Miss Shaylynn was born and raised here in the Cowichan Valley and attended Sunrise for Kindergarten which was extremely enriching. She recently completed Early Childhood Education Certification at Vancouver Island University and is currently working on her first year of my Waldorf training with West Coast Institute. Her goal is to be able to expand my knowledge and practice in Waldorf education while providing loving, comforting, and quality care to the children at Sunrise. She is passionate about working alongside the new generation as they truly are our future. She believes that we, as adults, need to be worthy of imitation because the quality of care which we provide defines the tone of our environment and relationships.

Originally from Ontario, Meaghan holds a Master’s degree in Child Studies and Education. Prior to moving to Vancouver Island, she worked as a Parent Support Worker in a variety of Toronto schools. This experience sparked a deep passion for supporting families through the complexities and joys of parenting.

Meaghan first discovered the beauty of Vancouver Island during a trip with her husband in 2007. From that moment, she knew she wanted to one day make the Island her home. Thirteen years and three children later, that dream became a reality.

Having attended a Waldorf school herself as a child, Meaghan was thrilled to discover Sunrise Waldorf School. Watching her own children thrive in the school’s nurturing environment inspired her to become more involved. She now brings her experience and enthusiasm to the Preschool and After School Care programs, where she is grateful to support children and families in this special community.

Natasha completed an extensive early childhood education program in former Yugoslavia and embarked on a journey, working in diverse educational settings across different countries. For 15 years, she owned and operated Waldorf-inspired daycare in Vancouver, creating a nurturing and holistic environment that encouraged imagination, creativity, and a deep connection with nature. Working with children brings her immense joy and fulfillment. She thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to engage with young minds and make a positive impact in their lives.

Yoga has been her lifelong passion for over 30 years. She received extensive training in India that laid the foundation for her practice. As well as joining and hosting numerous courses and workshops, she co-founded a yoga studio in Vancouver that was running for many years.

Her heart holds a special place for yoga for children, as she firmly believe in the transformative power of nurturing their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through yoga. It is an honour for her to share her love for yoga with the little ones.​

Born in Poland Dorota grew to love all forms of artistic expression and creativity. After finishing her studies of philosophy in Lublin she spent two years in Cambridge, England. In Canada she worked as a kindergarten teacher in Yellowknife. After a year of studies at the Waldorf Institute in Spring Valley, Dorota came to Vancouver Island where she worked as a biodynamic farmer, toymaker of Fairywood Toys, Celtic harp performer and substitute teacher at Sunrise Waldorf School. While raising her daughter in the Cowichan Valley, Dorota took the Waldorf teacher training with the West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy. She was the first kindergarten teacher at Alta Lake School in Whistler, completed her degree in Education at the University of Victoria and then taught at the Whistler Waldorf School.

Sara is grateful every day to be living, learning and raising her family on the traditional Hul’q’umi’num territory in the Quw’utsun Valley and to be part of the Sunrise Waldorf School community. After attending the Vancouver Waldorf school from grades 1-12, Sara had long wished to return to the Waldorf community and to give her children the gift of a Waldorf education, and moved here from Victoria in September of 2020 for her two children to attend Sunrise. 

During her 14 years in Victoria, Sara was on the Victoria Waldorf Society board promoting Waldorf education and community connections in Victoria and volunteered in many child-centered community initiatives while raising a family and working in the environmental field.

Sara holds a bachelor degree in biology and environmental management, and is currently completing her Waldorf Early Childhood Educator training. Sara is very happy to be working with children again, now for a second year in shining star kindergarten. 

Miss Mima was born in Yugoslavia to parents who were both elementary school teachers. She graduated from the Belgrade University of Economics, and was employed at the City planning Institute. She soon realized her heart was in working with children, so she entered a part time teacher training program. In 1989, she moved to Vancouver and worked as a nanny, in a children’s group home, and as a family services support worker. Ten years later she moved to the Cowichan Valley. In her search for the right education for her children she attended a parent education series and recognized a deep kinship with the strivings and philosophy of Waldorf education. Miss Mima enrolled her children at SWS and completed the Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Training with the West Coast Institute. Miss Mima worked in the preschool for three years, before moving to Shining Star Kindergarten in 2007. She feels fortunate to have found her life calling where every day her encounters with children, parents and colleagues bring new joys and opportunities for growth.

After years as a student herself in French Immersion, Dana Crudo pursued studies in French, Psychology and Education at McGill and Simon Fraser Universities.  She then taught French Immersion in Vancouver for almost 15 years while also taking breaks to travel, get married in Sicily, and live in Switzerland for a few years.  Once a mother of three beautiful girls, Dana stepped away from the public school system, focused more on family while teaching yoga part time to both adults and children as well as working in a Reggio inspired preschool.  In 2021, the family took another leap to the Cowichan Valley where they have a small homestead with another family.  Dana is thrilled to have found her way to Sunrise and is enjoying working and learning in the ECE department.  Though she is not Waldorf trained (yet!), she feels very aligned with the approach and is so grateful to be surrounded by the philosophy and community.  In her time away from work, Dana enjoys spending time with family, working on the farm, and creating and sharing meals with loved ones.

Coming soon.

s. Schuyler was born and raised on the east coast of the US before moving to California where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from UC Berkeley. After moving up the coast to BC to raise her family on the Gulf Islands, she began teaching music to children at the Hornby Island School. Following her passion for teaching, she obtained a Bachelor of Education from Vancouver Island University in 2012. 

Schuyler has worked in diverse school settings ever since, including at Sunrise Waldorf School from 2015-2018 when she brought a class from Grade 4 through 6. Schuyler attended the West Coast Institute, graduating in 2018 as a certified Waldorf grades teacher.

Her specialties include the arts, nature-based education, and supporting neurodiversity in educational settings. She is a singer/songwriter and recording artist. She also enjoys hiking, kayaking, sailing, gardening, and foraging/wildcrafting.  

Growing up in Port Renfrew, Brad developed a love for learning on the land.  His journey led him to Alberta where he taught forestry and outdoor recreation before heading to the University of Alberta where he received his B.Ed with a major in Art and a minor in Drama. 

After teaching art, theatre, woodwork/construction, foods, physical education, social studies, as well as many other subjects, his journey lead him into school administration. He left his position of principal at Victoria School of the Arts in 2021 to move home to the island.

Now living in the beautiful Cowichan Valley, Brad is excited to return to the classroom and embrace the joy of curiosity and discovery with children and community once again.

Coming soon.

Mr. Naeem Datoo enjoys living in the Cowichan Valley and teaching at Sunrise Waldorf School. He loves the natural beauty of the area. Before coming to Sunrise, Mr. Naeem was a teacher in Vancouver for many years. He also teaches yoga and meditation and enjoys studying Anthroposophy.

Raja Chrimes is an experienced Waldorf teacher with almost a decade of Waldorf School teaching experience; she has her Waldorf Teacher Training certificate, a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts. She has also worked in different educational settings in Canada and abroad. She is artistically and musically talented.

​

Raja returns to Vancouver Island this summer, which is a homecoming for her.

Lisa is grateful to be teaching and learning on traditional Hul’q’umi’num territory in the Quw’utsun Valley. She has been a teacher in many different environments since 1990, and has been a class teacher at Sunrise Waldorf School since 2010.  She holds a Bachelor of Education, a BFA in Theatre Performance, and attained her Waldorf Teacher Certification from the West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy. In 2018, she was awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM, and is currently the BC Regional Representative to the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America. Originally from Victoria, Lisa began her Waldorf journey when her own children – now grown – started their schooling at Washington Waldorf School in Washington DC, and she has been on a continual learning path in this direction ever since. Lisa enjoys playing music with her family, planning her garden, hiking with her partner and dog, and learning more how to live in balance and harmony with our dear Earth.

Ms. Brooks has many wonderful memories growing up in Ontario riding horses. After studying child development at York University and training in strength and conditioning, she began a small gym. Angela's passion for teaching became more evident and she pursued her Masters of Science in education. For the next 20 years, Angela was fortunate to be able to combine a teaching career and operate her three training facilities. When visiting Whistler on a ski trip, Angela was introduced to Waldorf education and was inspired to take her teaching in a different direction. She completed her Waldorf Teacher training in Toronto and joined the Whistler Waldorf School in September 2018. Angela moved to Nanaimo and began substitute teaching at Sunrise in 2022. She is so grateful to call the island home and to be able to work with the Grade 6 class.

Mrs. Lily Greenwood grew up exploring the beautiful landscapes of Vancouver Island, where her love for nature and creativity was nurtured. As a mother of four, she gained valuable experience in supporting her children's diverse learning journeys, which inspired her to pursue a teaching career. Lily graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Fine Arts from Vancouver Island University, with a focus on creating inclusive and relationship-centered learning environments.

She is excited to bring this passion to the Grade 7 class at Sunrise. Outside of school, Lily enjoys hiking, volunteering in her community, and spending time with her two dogs. She also loves to express her creativity through the arts and finds inspiration in the natural world around her.

Coming soon

Ms. Susan grew up on the Island and is grateful to have started her Waldorf journey over 10 years ago when her own children attended Sunrise. Before becoming an Educational Assistant Ms. Susan volunteered as a Roots of Empathy Facilitator  at many schools and worked as a Home Support/Resident Care Attendant. She has been a hairstylist for over 30 years and has owned and operated her own business since 2009. In her free time Ms. Susan is usually camping with family and friends, playing in her garden or out walking with her dog.  

Katia was born in the city of Quebec and grew up in Mexico, where she studied psychology, worked as a foreign language teacher, professional translator, and Yoga teacher. After relocating to Quw'utsun (Cowichan Valley) in 2009, Katia and her husband enrolled their son in the Parent and Toddler program at Sunrise, and she soon became very involved with the school community. Katia was inspired by the spiritual foundation of Waldorf pedagogy and by how it supports the healthy development of children. She decided to pursue a Master's in Waldorf Education, and was hired as the French teacher in September 2013. Since 2018, she has worked as a long-term substitute and assistant teacher in the Grades school

. 

Since April 2020, Katia has been a volunteer counsellor, first for Cowichan Family Life Association, and now for the Cowichan Brain Injury Society. She has recently completed a Diploma in Professional Counselling from VCCT. 

Coming Soon.

Angèle is a native French speaker, originally from Manitoba. She has been a French immersion teacher for several years in the greater Victoria area. She enjoys sharing her franco Manitoban culture and has been involved with the Francophone Society of Victoria where she has supported their French language and culture programs. Angèle has extensive dance, yoga and gardening training, and she is also trained to teach yoga and mindfulness to both children and adults. She enjoys teaching through drama, art and creative activities. Angèle likes to stay curious, and she enjoys bringing this sense of wonder and enthusiasm to the classroom. Outside of school, Angèle enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, practicing watercolour painting, and learning about parenting and child development. 

Georgia was born and grew up in England where she attended Kings Langley Waldorf School from age 12 to graduation at the end of grade 11. She then attended Brockenhurst College where she learned sword fencing and archery and at 18 became the youngest sword fencing coach in the UK. She completed her training in Spatial Dynamics and Bothmer gymnastics in Germany in 1986, following which she visited and taught at Waldorf schools in Germany, India, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and the USA, before arriving in British Columbia, Canada. Here she was inspired by the mountains and water and knew this would be her home. She taught at Vancouver Waldorf School for 8 years before becoming a freelance Waldorf teacher throughout North America.  In 2001 - 2004 Georgia graduated Coventry University with a BSc Hons in Physiotherapy.

After moving back to Canada full time in 2006 Georgia joined Sunrise Waldorf School where she has been teaching movement and sports education for the past 16 years. She feels blessed to have been able to partake in the developmental journey of so many young people over such a large span of time.

Georgia and her husband Gary Ward own and run Coastal Bliss Adventures, Sea to Sky Expeditions and Cowichan Bay Kayaking. They  also have a partnership company in Tanzania, ‘Kilimanjaro Bliss’.

Coming soon.

Coming Soon.

Barbara is both delighted and grateful for the opportunity to share forty plus years of creative learning and exploration in the holistic and caring environment of Sunrise Waldorf School. She began her artistic career with a BFA in Visual Arts, continued with a MFA in Theatre Design, specializing in costume, and completed her post degree educational certification in 1999. She has taught from Primary to University level, in a variety of settings and situations, and is always excited by the combination of creativity, discovery and meaningful connection provided by mindful instruction. She is excited to share and learn alongside her students as Handwork Instructor, and contribute to the inspiring Waldorf community.

Shannon and her family moved to the Cowichan Valley in 2017 so that her three children could attend The Sunrise Waldorf School. Being a part of the Sunrise Waldorf School and community has been an incredibly enriching experience for their whole family and they feel so grateful to be a part of it. Shannon holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of British Columbia, with a major in studio arts. She holds an Independent School Teaching Certificate. She has been inspired by Waldorf Education and anthroposophy since she first learned about it over twelve years ago. She deepened her knowledge and passion for the grade’s curriculum through the Teaching with Heart; Experiencing the Waldorf Approach Course two years ago and is eager to continue her own Waldorf Education Training. Shannon has worked in a supportive teaching role in art classrooms for children up to the age of 12. She is looking forward to meeting all the children and families that make up our community.

As a child, Cyle Serra has fond memories of learning how to garden from his Italian grandparents. He grew up on Salt Spring Island being captivated by the natural world around him which led him to become a kayak guide. His love of plants then inspired him to study Herbal Medicine and Horticulture. He has been in the Cowichan Valley since 2015 working as a farmer and gardener. In 2018 he had the opportunity to help develop a farm that focused on regenerative agriculture where he raised pigs, cows, sheep, chickens, and turkeys as well as running a market garden. He is overjoyed to share his passion for plants and food with the Sunrise School family.

​Rae has been an Independent School leader in BC for a decade and loves being in the education sector.  Prior to working in schools, she managed youth outreach programs and quality assurance compliance in social service settings.  Rae's formal education is in social work and her Master of Social Work Degree specialization was Leadership in the Human Services.   Rae is passionate about the education and wellbeing of children and youth as well as building intentional communities that espouse kindness and respect.  She is excited to expand her knowledge and understanding of Waldorf education as well as meaningfully contribute to the beautiful Sunrise community over the coming years. 

Rachel has been involved in Waldorf Education for 20 years and has over 10 years of experience teaching in Waldorf classrooms. She took a class from grades one through eight at Sunrise. Rachel has a degree in English Literature, and she completed her Waldorf teacher training along with a Masters of Education Degree at Antioch University in New England. She is now the Education Director at Sunrise Waldorf School.

Ellen is a passionate educator and administrator who has spent the past 12 years working and teaching in Waldorf education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, a Bachelor of Education, and completed her Master’s degree and Waldorf teacher training at Rudolf Steiner College. Before stepping into the classroom, her previous roles in product development and educational program design helped her develop a strong foundation in marketing and communication. She is deeply committed to Waldorf education and feels grateful to join the Sunrise Waldorf community, both in her professional role and as a parent, alongside her young family.

Joy was BC born and raised, and in her early years, lived and travelled in various parts of the country pursuing careers in music and fitness. She settled on a career in finance and honed her skills in the Okanagan Valley. Years of holidaying on the Gulf Islands planted the seed of love for the ocean, and she and her husband moved to the Cowichan Valley in 2013.  Joy loves the energy and spirit of Sunrise Waldorf School and is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the admin team. She has two grown children, and a beautiful granddaughter. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, gardening, and music.

Rubeena Sandhu has been a dedicated Waldorf educator, pedagogical administrator, mentor, and consultant for over 20 years. Currently a school counsellor, she also serves as the Northwest Pacific Regional Leader for the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America and as Council Secretary for the Anthroposophical Society in Canada. At the New Adult Learning Institute, Rubeena has co-developed 'Grounded in Practice', a new Waldorf Foundation Year program which brings anthroposophy alive in classrooms through practical approaches. Passionate about integrating neuro-affective research with Waldorf pedagogy, Rubeena fosters transformative and healing learning experiences for students and adults alike.

Being a first generation Canadian, Alicia began learning in her mother’s world of Reggio Emilia education. In looking for a community filled with natural wonder in which to raise her three children, Alicia found the Cowichan Valley and Sunrise Waldorf School.  

With the goal of growing with the Sunrise community, Alicia enrolled at the Goetheanum to begin studying Rudolf Steiner’s work and has completed her foundations in Anthroposophy, Waldorf Teaching Certificate through the West Coast Institute and additional studies in Curative Education.  

As a middle school class teacher, Alicia continued to seek training to better support the neurodiversity in her classroom. She trained as an Orton Gillingham Classroom Educator to support language-based learning differences, Sensory Mathematics, Emergency Pedagogy and Applied Behaviour Analysis. In addition to holding an BSc (Hons), Alicia is a M.Ed. Inclusive Education Student at VIU.  

Alicia is grateful to be part of the strong teaching team at Sunrise and support the community who has inspired and mentored her for many years.  

When not at school, Alicia can be found in her kitchen with friends or on a ski hill during the winter months.  

Stephanie has been part of the Sunrise community since 2021 when her daughter started Preschool here. She joined the Parent Association as a way to meet other families and to learn more about Waldorf Education and Rudolf Steiner. Soon after she was voted in as the Chair, where she served for 3 years.

Stephanie was born and raised in BC but spent most of her adult life in Alberta, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor in Education. 2020 brought her and her husband to the beautiful Cowichan Valley, where they always dreamed of raising their family amidst the lush forests and coastal landscapes.

She now feels blessed to serve the school in a new capacity and welcome families at the front door!

Coming soon.

Brian was raised in Victoria, Saanich, and has been working as a janitor for 45 years, both on the island and in Calgary, as well as taking janitorial courses in Vancouver through BCIT. He really enjoys cleaning and was crowned Toilet King when he worked at Canadian Tire!

​

He doesn't have much free time, as he owns a cleaning company with his wife. He always wanted to be a school janitor and loves the home feeling at Sunrise.

​

He has been Santa in the Duncan Mall for four years, and more recently been Santa outside is Duncan residence, AKA the Santa House, where families come to get their picture taken.

​

Brian lives with his wife and four children.