Founder and Director of Education

Wallingford

Laura Benson (she/her) grew up in Northfield, MN. Laura attended Bard College for two years studying Math and Science. While at Bard, she discovered Waldorf Education and decided she wanted to become a teacher. In 2008, she moved to Seattle and began working in early childhood education. Laura received a Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching Certification from the Sound Circle Teacher Training Center in Seattle, WA and a degree in Early Childhood & Family Studies at the University of Washington. She has taught children aged 2 1/2 to 6 since 2008 and she is the mother of one little preschooler.

In her free time, Laura loves to go for urban hikes, read, garden, play guitar, knit, and spend time with her son and husband Trevor, who you will often find helping out at the schools.

Founder and Director of Education

Wallingford

Julia Fioravanti (she/her) grew up in Seattle and has taught in Early Childhood education since 2011. She has her BA in Art History and Sociology from Western Washington University. Her experience growing up in Waldorf education cultivated her appreciation of the importance of simplicity, routine, and beauty in our lives.

When she isn’t teaching, she spends most of her time working on her never ending house projects and hanging in her yard with her son Aio, stepdaughters, Luci and Martine and her husband Zach, who kindly donates much of his time to help out building and maintaining our school places. She loves art and creativity and, whenever possible, tries to blend the two into her daily life.

Administrator —Wallingford and Queen Anne

Fiona Collum was born and raised in Seattle, and got to spend much of her childhood outdoors in this beautiful part of the world. She loves playing a role in ensuring that children can have the experience she is so lucky to have had. She has been working in Waldorf-inspired early childhood education and administration since 2015. Each passing year gives her a deeper appreciation for the connection that this learning environment creates to the seasons, story, and song.

When not at work Fiona can often be found in Port Townsend, where her father lives. Her favorite hobby at the moment is learning Scottish Gaelic.

Queen Anne

Kayla Francis-Rose (she/her) grew up in the Bay Area before she came out to Seattle in 2013 for school. She attended the University of Washington, where she received her Bachelor's in Early Childhood Family Studies. She proceeded to work at a preschool for the next 5 years, before taking time off to travel and work at a dance studio. She is very excited to be returning to preschool, where she can share her love of stories and connection with the students at Evergreen Garden School!

In her free time, Kayla is a performer in the Seattle dance community, and loves to spend time out in nature with her friends, her dog Remus, and her husband Jacob.

Queen Anne

Margaret Roe (she/her) was born and raised in Seattle and is working towards a certificate in Early Childhood Education at North Seattle College, after which she wants to pursue further education at Sound Circle Center for Waldorf specific training. She has been working with children most of her life, starting with babysitting when she was 11, with her initial experience in a preschool classroom as a volunteer at age 13. Margaret was introduced to Waldorf education when she became a preschool teacher for the first time in 2019, instantly fell in love with both early childhood education and the Waldorf philosophy, and has been teaching ever since.

Margaret's favorite parts about Waldorf are singing, learning and teaching about the nature that surrounds us, and any handwork she can get her hands on (sewing, knitting, embroidery, etc.). As a preschool-age teacher she loves the connections that she forms with the children she teaches, and has often kept in touch with families as their kids get bigger and bigger!

In her free time, Margaret enjoys spending time with her family (all of whom live relatively close), reading, doing various art projects, and going to shows of all sorts.

Wallingford

Dominic Cavalero (he/him) has been teaching in early childhood since 2018. He was raised in North Seattle where he went to Hamilton Middle School and Roosevelt High school. As an Ultimate frisbee player, Dominic has earned national and international titles and he now uses his experience to mentor and coach the girl’s and boy’s varsity ultimate teams at Nathan Hale High School.

Wallingford

Riley was born and raised in Indiana where she got her degree in Elementary and Special Education in 2017. She started working with children in 2015. She has spent the last 5 years living and exploring many awesome places including Australia, California, and Hawaii. During these travels, she worked with children in a variety of settings including camps, schools, and daycares. Working with children and enjoying the outdoors are her two greatest passions and they meet perfectly here at EGS. Riley found her home in Seattle in 2022. When she is not at work you can find her lounging in the sun, paddling on the water, getting into a new craft, or checking out the vibe at a new coffee shop.

Queen Anne

Katherine Ohde (she/her) was raised in Northfield, MN. She has nannied children since 2015 and is an artist who uses many art mediums. Katherine has always enjoyed spending time with children, and has volunteered at elementary events, baby wearing classes and at the Northfield Historical Society.

Katherine is new to Seattle, and is looking forward to working with the staff and students at Evergreen Garden School and learning more about Waldorf Early Childhood Education.

Queen Anne

Taylor was born and raised in Kirkland, Washington.  She has been teaching in early childhood since 2011 with an associates degree in Early Childhood Education. She continues to learn and adapt to be her best for the children. Her main goal is to always be intentional and genuine, and to create a safe, warm, and magical space for children to learn and have fun. 

In her free time, Taylor enjoys journaling with her collected stationery, reading, swimming, and going for walks with her dog. She loves going to coffee shops and trying new restaurants with her partner Jess. She loves the beginning of every season and finds peace in creating rhythms for each. 

Taylor is excited to learn all things Waldorf and feels that it will fit her personality perfectly.

Wallingford

Sara was born and raised in Seattle. She started working with children professionally in 2017 and became a teacher in 2023. During her time in childcare she gained experience with children of all backgrounds including those with disabilities and mental disorders. She is excited to join the Waldorf community and to evolve as an educator! Sara’s foundation as an educator is rooted in the importance of social-emotional regulation and development.

Outside the classroom, Sara enjoys many hobbies such as oil painting, skateboarding and reading energy. (Astrology, tarot and anything in between!) As a child she admired her grandma, Shirley, who is a published author and dreams of publishing her own books one day in the future. Currently, Sara is creating illustrations for her children’s book called Toasty the Reindeer. 

Substitute Teacher

Quinn McMurray (she/her) grew up in San Diego, California before relocating to the Seattle area in high school. Quinn attended Western Washington University for a year before moving back to Seattle to be closer to her family and young siblings who helped her discover and nurture her love of children. Once home, she began attending classes at Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s Early Childhood Education program while working as a nanny. She transitioned from private care to center-based teaching in 2021 and continued working her way to her Bachelor’s degree in ECE, which she will complete next June. Quinn found she had a passion for Waldorf philosophies when she began working in a Waldorf inspired center in 2023.

In her free time, Quinn loves to attend concerts, cross stitch, read, and spend time at home in Magnolia with her partner and her two small dogs.