Kellee O’Shea- Program Director, Hemlock Class Lead Teacher
Kellee first began teaching young children 30 years ago, teaching in preschools and kindergartens in her hometown of Memphis, TN. Her journey took her to New England where she taught special education for many years, with a focus on autism. Kellee found Anthroposophy, and Waldorf education, 15 years ago and was a Waldorf homeschool parent for over a decade. While living on the west coast, Kellee had a main lesson school in her home where she taught mixed aged children as well as a Waldorf homeschooling and education consultation business.
Kellee’s undergraduate work is in Early Childhood Education as well as Leadership Development and holds a professional teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education. Recently she completed the Waldorf Administration and Leadership course, and the Explorations into Waldorf Education course, both through the Center for Anthroposophy. Kellee is currently studying in the Building Bridges to Waldorf Teacher Training cohort 2023-2024 offered through CfA and Antioch University. She has also joined the 2023 Artistic Therapy Training cohort through the Kairos Institute.
Kellee lives in Keene with two of her four children and when she is not teaching or studying you will find her immersed deep in the forest- usually camping in the summer or hiking through the deep, snowy winters.
Fiona Laurie, Operations Manager
Fiona has a background in directing and teaching in Waldorf-based early childhood programs for the last 15 years. She holds a BA in Education K-3rd Grade as well as a BS in Architecture from Keene State College. Fiona is a graduate of the Monadnock Waldorf School and a founding member as well as current Office Manager of the Gathering Waters Charter School. She is passionate about Waldorf early childhood education, nature-based play, and equal access to education. Fiona grew up in Keene NH but spent several years living abroad in various foreign countries and gained a global perspective as a young adult. She returned to the Keene area to raise her son, Cameron, who is now a high school student at the Gathering Waters Charter School and she hopes to inspire in him a similar world view and love of the natural world that she grew up with.
Jessica Baker- Willow Class Lead Teacher
Jessica was absolutely thrilled to begin her Waldorf teaching career at Spring Hill fall of 2022. Jessica has two Bachelor's degrees, one in Elementary Education and one in Studio Art from Keene State College. Jessica grew up on the NH and Maine border and she moved to the Keene area in 2007. She was blessed to become a mother to two beautiful children, River and Ridge, who have both been in a Waldorf school since they were 6 months old. When she is not in the classroom she is enjoying time with her children, family and the magical area they call home.
Sofia Likhter- Birch Class Lead Teacher
Waldorf education stumbled into Sofia’s life when she was looking at alternative educations for her daughter seven years ago. She was immediately inspired by the philosophy and has now been teaching in a Waldorf setting for six years. Originally at Calendula Garden Children’s Center in Gilsum, then Sophia’s Hearth in Keene, then she opened her home as a day care for families in need during the pandemic and is now the lead teacher of the Birch class here at Spring Hill. She has completed her level two Early Childhood Education certification and is currently working toward her degree. She is also enrolled in the year-long Explorations program through The Center of Anthroposophy. In her free time, Sofia finds joy in the great outdoors, exploring all the beauty that NH has to offer, as well as pursuing the humble life of a homesteader.
Jeronima Carral- Hemlock Class Associate Teacher
Jeronima first learned about Waldorf Education before starting a family and found it very fitting to her beliefs and values. Some of her best friends are Waldorf teachers, so it was easy to learn and love this way of teaching and caring for children. After completing her degree in Bachelor of Communication in Mexico City where she was raised, she joined a non profit who takes underserved children for a week of summer camp and worked there as a counselor/volunteer for 10 years. Year after year, she could see the positive impact that a screen free, nature and art based environment can have on children and adults. She moved to San Antonio Texas with her husband and had two daughters there. Without any Waldorf options in San Antonio, she often visited the Austin Waldorf School and took a course on Early Childhood Education to care for her young girls. In 2019 she and her family moved to New Hampshire inspired in part by the big Waldorf community in the area. In her free time Jeronima enjoys the outdoors, photography and baking.
