Founder and Director of Education

Lead Teacher

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 hikes on Vashon where she lives, 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

Lead Teacher

Wallingford

Julia Fioravanti 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 & Substitute Teacher

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.

Lead Teacher

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.

Lead Teacher

Queen Anne

Margaret Roe (she/her) was born and raised in Seattle and will graduate Sound Circle Center to become a certified Waldorf teacher in summer 2027. 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.

Lead Teacher

Queen Anne

Nina Gresl (they/them) was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and has been working in childhood education since 2018. Nina received their BA in Psychology and Art from Hampshire College having focused on the positive influence of art and play in metacognitive development. Nina has taught many age groups, but they fell in love with early childhood education when they became an art teacher.

Nina moved to Seattle to live more closely with nature. Nina loves that the Waldorf teaching philosophy centers around a connection to the natural world and that it highlights the importance of being a good role model for children. Outside of teaching, Nina loves rock climbing, feeding the crows, and finding ways to be creative through drawing, sculpting, and crafts.

Assistant Teacher

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.

Assistant Teacher

Wallingford

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.

Assistant Teacher

Wallingford, Queen Anne

Sara was born and raised in Seattle. She has many years of experience with children of all backgrounds including those with disabilities and mental disorders. She is grateful to be a part of the Waldorf community as she continues to evolve as a an educator and as a spiritual person!

Sara’s foundation as an educator is rooted in the importance of social-emotional regulation, development, and creative expression.

Assistant Teachers

Queen Anne

Skye has a degree from the University of Washington in Early Childhood Education, and works as a Behavior Technician doing Applied Behavior Analysis with children from 2 to 13.

Assistant Teacher

Wallingford

Patricia Carstens was born and raised in Argentina, where Spanish is her native language. She earned her Master's degree in Psychology from the National University of Rosario in 1988 and has years of experience working with young children. Her work is centered on creating warm, welcoming environments rich in meaningful experiences that foster learning, curiosity, creativity, and healthy social and emotional development.

Patricia discovered Waldorf education in 2016 and immediately felt a deep connection to its philosophy. Her passion for working with children and families stems from the conviction that raising compassionate, self-confident, and committed individuals is a shared responsibility that extends beyond the home to encompass the entire community.

As the mother of 26-year-old twin daughters, Patricia has personally experienced the joys and challenges of parenting. Her academic background, combined with her personal experience as a mother, inspired her to create environments where children feel safe, valued, and free to explore, learn, and develop confidence in themselves and in their ability to make their own choices. These core principles continue to guide every aspect of her work with children and families.

Outside of school, Patricia enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, as well as taking long walks with her beloved dogs, Theo and Manu, regardless of the weather. A lover of the arts, she enjoys undertaking creative projects of all kinds and sizes, finding deep satisfaction in the creative process through initiatives both large and small.