Jeannie, born of parents that migrated from Cuba and the Dominican Republic, spent her early childhood years in the Takoma Park and Silver Spring area where she also became a Washington Waldorf alumni. After different kinds of adventures in different states, she is residing in the area again with her 3 year-old son and 2 dogs. She has been working in the education system since 2016 as a Substitute Teacher and as an Education Assistant. Last summer she completed a parent coaching course to complement her BA in Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution and has recently begun periodically taking on clients. She loves working with families and supporting them in their journeys of parenthood and she also loves working with young children. Seeing children flourish within nurturing relationships and environments is something Jeannie is passionate about facilitating.
Missy grew up outside of Worcester Massachusetts and spent much of her time exploring in the woods near her childhood home. She attended The College of Wooster in Wooster Ohio earning a Bachelors in Art History. She moved to DC in 1997. Her professional journey has taken her from Christie’s Auction house in Boston, to National Geographic in DC, three years as a licensed massage therapist to an early childhood educator for the past 12 years at a private school in downtown DC. She found her calling when she started working in early education and has developed a love for teaching our youngest children. She lives in Silver Spring with her husband and 10 year old son. She enjoys going on hikes with her family, spending time by the ocean and exploring new places.
Christabelle grew up in Queens and Long Island, NY, and moved to the DC area over 10 years ago. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Development and Education in 2003, and brought her deep interest in social and emotional development into her teaching practice in private schools, including Wilmington Friends School in Delaware. She learned more about Waldorf education after having her second child, and took a tour of Acorn Hill in 2019. The philosophy and pedagogy resonated so much with her that in addition to choosing Acorn Hill for her daughter’s first school experience, she participated in Parent Circle and various committees. She loves volunteering, reading about holistic medicine, spending time outdoors, and playing violin in community ensembles. She is excited to be a part of the Acorn Hill staff.
Vonzella resides in Silver Spring where she has raised her family and worked as an educator in area independent and public schools. She holds an Advanced Professional Maryland Educator Certificate in early childhood education PreK-3. Our lives are abundant with opportunities to develop ourselves and those around us. We learn from one another and it is for this reason that the humanity of the teacher represents the core of the educational experience. I believe that the teaching and learning experience should be so engaging that it captures children’s sense of curiosity and imagination.
Brigitte discovered Acorn Hill and Waldorf education after her son’s birth six years ago. She remembers the first time she and her then eight-month-old son visited Acorn Hill; at their first parent-infant class, they took in the holistic guidance, green spaces and calm places of Acorn Hill and immediately knew this was the place for them. Prior to becoming a parent, Brigitte was an early childhood and primary grades classroom teacher for a decade, working in a mix of traditional, progressive, museum-based, Reggio-inspired, and now Waldorf learning environments that have reflected her journey as an educator and parent. She holds a master’s degree in elementary education and advanced graduate work in the history of education; she engages in board and development work with Acorn Hill and was previously a Parent Circle leader. Brigitte loves spending time outdoors, camping, gardening with native plants, decluttering, cooking delicious autoimmune-friendly meals, spending time near the water, practicing mindfulness with her son, and reading biographies about history’s fascinating women.
Francisco was born in Santiago, Chile, and grew up in Silver Spring. During the summers, he would spend time in the Pocono mountains in Pennsylvania, where he went swimming in rivers, hiking, fishing, and making s’mores. Currently a student at Montgomery College, he is studying to become a high school history teacher. His Sligo Creek upbringing ignited his passion for nature and discovery. He also enjoys spending the majority of his time playing soccer and croquet, while finding meditation through biking and running along Sligo Creek.
Becca was born and raised in Maryland, spending her childhood growing and learning in Baltimore County and the mountains of New Jersey, before finally residing in Carroll County with her husband, two cats, and turtle. Being an avid gardener she has begun weaving biodynamic gardening practices into her work at home, planting an abundance of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. In 2020 she earned her degree in Early Childhood Education, with an interest in the Waldorf pedagogy and the studies of Rudolf Steiner. Outside of this, Becca is a guitarist and enjoys being outdoors in nature, journaling, studying aromatherapy and herbs, and wishes to one day have her own small, sustainable farm.
