Administration, College of Teachers & Board of Trustees
Valley Waldorf City School, inspired by Rudolf Steiner, is a teacher-led school, rather than one with a single principal. The College takes ultimate responsibility for the work and pedagogy of the school with close support from the Board and Faculty.
The Board is composed of parents, teachers, and other supportive individuals who work together to guide the managerial and financial work of the school. The mission of the Board is to provide for the financial stability, physical well-being, legal standing and compliance of Valley Waldorf City School as a Corporation in California and a Non-Profit entity in support of and in harmony with the Waldorf philosophy. The Board meets monthly.
The College of Teachers is composed of faculty members and staff members who have shown a particular commitment to the ideals of Waldorf Education and the continuing work of the school. This group is responsible for the educational policies and management of human and material resources. The College meets weekly, as does the Faculty and some members of the administrative team.
Administration
Kristin Bruun-Andersen, School Accountant
Kristin joined Valley Waldorf City School as a parent volunteer in the Fall of 2018 and formally joined the Finance Department in the Spring of 2019. She graduated from the Elliott School, GWU with a BA in International Affairs and from the USC Marshall School of Business with an MBA. Kristin was drawn to Waldorf education’s emphasis on play and rhythms while looking for an early childhood program for her daughter. She feels extremely fortunate to be a part of our community.
Linda Murca, Office Assistant
Linda is the proud mother of two daughters. She was born and raised in a multi cultural family in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in three different cultures: Mexico, Brazil and Syria. Linda counts herself fortunate to actively participate in all three of these cultures today, including fluency in Portuguese and Spanish.
Linda has an Associates degree in Preschool teaching, and previously taught and assisted in early childhood education at a Los Angeles County charter school. Prior to working in the education field, Linda worked as a Legal Assistant for Criminal and Immigration Attorneys for five years.
Linda was happy to have served as the PTA President for two years for her eldest daughter’s school, and also served as coach on her soccer team. She additionally served as room parent for her youngest daughter throughout her early childhood education. In her free time, Linda volunteered at a food bank extending her love of service and community to the homeless in her neighborhood.
Bringing with her the energy of a lifetime of multi-cultural experiences, education and service, Linda is excited to join the Valley Waldorf City School administrative team.
Frederique Braunstein, Admissions Advisor
Frédérique was born and raised in Paris, France. She first came to Philadelphia, P.A., as an exchange student at the University of Pennsylvania during her pursuit of a PhD in Cultural Studies. She ended up teaching at UPenn as a lecturer in French for nine years. She then moved with her husband and children to Los Angeles, where she taught for five years at a progressive private school called Oakwood School. While searching for a school for her three young children, Frédérique explored different progressive options such as Montessori and Quaker schools, but in Waldorf education she found an educational model that she could trust to meet her children’s social, emotional, and developmental needs. She is thrilled to be able to introduce prospective families to the magical world of Waldorf education, and to the warmth of The Valley Waldorf City School community.
2023-24 Valley Waldorf City School College of Teachers
Sarah Northrip, College Chair Almut Schroeder, Teacher Matt Troedson, Teacher
2024 Valley Waldorf City School Board of Trustees
Nicolas Farmakalidis, President Cesar Vega, Vice President
Almut Schroeder, Treasurer and Teacher Representative Mariela Preisler, Secretary