Faculty

Faculty and Staff

Early Childhood & Parent Child

Ana Cifra

Kindergarten Lead Teacher

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Ana Cifra

Kindergarten Lead Teacher

From 2005-2015, Ana worked at SSoM leading the Spanish and Handwork programs and assisting in Kindergarten. In 2015 she relocated to Switzerland where she worked in the preschool and kindergarten of Geneva’s École Rudolf Steiner. Ana returned to SSoM as a lead Kindergarten teacher in 2022. Ana has a degree in Industrial Design from Universidad Bolivariana, Colombia, and completed her Early Childhood training at Great Lakes Waldorf Institute. Ana enjoys spending time with family, studying, reading, painting and traveling.

Luiza Kwiatkowska

Kindergarten Lead Teacher

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Luiza Kwiatkowska

Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Teaching at SSoM since 2015, Luiza has nearly 30 years’ experience as a kindergarten lead teacher. She has an MS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Warmia & Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland, and Postgraduate Studies in Independent Education (Waldorf training) at the University of Warsaw. In July 2024, Luiza completed her three-year training as an Educational Support Teacher at the Association for a Healing Education in Lexington, MA, qualifying her to teach “extra lessons” to meet SSoM students' individual learning and behavioral needs.

Liliana Colon

Kindergarten Assistant

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Liliana Colon

Kindergarten Assistant

Liliana joined the SSoM Kindergarten in 2025. She has a BA in Spanish and Sociology from Clark University. Liliana attended Waldorf schools through 8th grade, where she cultivated a passion for the arts. She has a variety of experience working with children and youth, including interning at Camphill Kimberton Hills, a community for people with intellectual disabilities, and working as a camp counselor at Camp Harmony Lake, a Waldorf-inspired camp in Pennsylvania. In her free time, Liliana enjoys reading, dancing, singing, and writing her own music.

Evelyn Zaldivar

Kindergarten Assistant

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Evelyn Zaldivar

Kindergarten Assistant

Evelyn has been an assistant in SSoM’s Kindergarten since 2016. Before joining SSoM, Evelyn worked at the Michael School, a Waldorf-inspired kindergarten. She has taken early childhood classes from Sunbridge Institute and the Florida Department of Children and Families. Evelyn loves how SSoM’s pedagogy incorporates the natural environment and helps students develop to their full potential.

Viviana Zuluaga

Parent Child Teacher

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Viviana Zuluaga

Parent Child Teacher

Viviana started the Whimsy Forest Playgarden in 2021 and joined SSoM in 2023, leading SSoM’s Parent Child program. She is also a prenatal mentor and birth and family photographer. Viviana has a MS in Interior Architecture from Florida International University and will complete her Waldorf Teacher Training at Centro de Desarrollo Antroposófico in Cuernavaca, México, in 2027. Viviana was drawn to Waldorf education after the birth of her daughter led her to seek meaningful connection and purpose.

Grade School & Middle School

Kaitlyn Lugo

Class Teacher

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Kaitlyn Lugo

Class Teacher

Kaitlyn has a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and began her Waldorf Teacher Training at Rudolf Steiner College Canada in 2025. Kaitlyn apprenticed at SSoM during the 2024/25 school year, working with experienced mentors and deepening her understanding of SSoM’s pedagogy through study and practical application. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys painting, dancing, exercising, and spending time with family.

Song Cai Li

Grade Teacher & Mandarin Teacher (Middle School)

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Song Cai Li

Grade Teacher & Mandarin Teacher (Middle School)

Cai Li has taught Mandarin at SSoM since 2018 and became a class teacher in 2021. Cai Li has an MA in Waldorf Education from Antioch University, in Keene, NH, and taught Mandarin in Beijing from 2004-2014. Cai Li also serves on SSoM’s Faculty Council.

Alberto “Tico” Aran

Class Teacher

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Alberto “Tico” Aran

Class Teacher

Before joining SSoM in 2023, Tico’s background in science and ecology led him to work on citizen science initiatives, community development, and entrepreneurship. Tico holds a BA in Social Work from Loyola University and an MA in Public Health from Tulane University. He began his Waldorf Teaching Training at Rudolf Steiner College Canada in the summer of 2024. Tico loves seeing children light up as they begin to understand and engage in the larger world around them.

Melissa Adames

Class Teacher

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Melissa Adames

Class Teacher

Melissa has a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Florida International University and became a class teacher at SSoM in 2021 after completing Waldorf Teacher Training at the West Coast Institute in Vancouver B.C. Melissa is enthusiastic about the blend of music, rhythm and creative activities woven into every aspect of the Waldorf curriculum. She plays guitar and ukulele, sings, paints, and draws. Melissa also serves on SSoM’s Faculty Council.

Maria Hernandez

Class Teacher

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Maria Hernandez

Class Teacher

A 2010 alumna of SSoM, Maria has a BA in Early Childhood Education from Miami Dade College and completed Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher training at Rudolf Steiner College Canada in 2024. From 2019 to 2024 Maria taught Elementary and Middle School Spanish at SSoM, as well as assisting in the Kindergarten. In her spare time Maria enjoys being in nature, baking, cooking, dancing, crafting, traveling, and learning about different cultures.

Eduardo Ibarra

Class Teacher

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Eduardo Ibarra

Class Teacher

Before joining SSoM’s faculty in 2021, Eduardo was an environmental educator at Deering Estate and a Peer Led Team Learning instructor in Florida International University’s ecology and biology programs. Eddy has a BA in Biology and an MBA from FIU, and completed a Certification in Horticulture at Miami Dade College. He began his Waldorf Teaching Training at Rudolf Steiner College Canada in the summer of 2025. Eddy has chosen a career in education to instill his passion for the environment in future generations. Eddy also serves on SSoM’s Faculty Council.

Esther Rodrigues

Class Teacher

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Esther Rodrigues

Class Teacher

Esther has been a Class Teacher at SSoM since 2015. She led a third grade class through to their 2021 eighth grade graduation and will graduate a second class in 2026. Esther has a BA in Education from Western Washington University and an MA in Information and Library Science from the University of South Florida. Esther has attended annual summer Waldorf education programs at Sunbridge Institute, the Center for Anthroposophy, and the Michael Institute. Prior to joining SSoM, Esther was an educator at the University of Miami Lowe Art Museum and the Coral Gables Museum. She loves to tell stories and to encourage children to read. Esther also serves on SSoM’s Faculty Council.

Specialty Subjects

Fabio Alvino Roca

Woodworking Teacher

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Fabio Alvino Roca

Woodworking Teacher

Fabio joined the SSoM faculty in 2024. He has a degree in architecture from Cooper Union, and is the owner of Fabio Designs, a woodworking studio specializing in custom furniture and antique restorations. Fabio approaches his work as an adventure, exploring materials, methods, and functions while continuously seeking opportunities to learn more about his trade and himself. Fabio is passionate about sharing his love of woodworking with the students at SSoM.

Elsa Lorena Bravo

Spanish Teacher

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Elsa Lorena Bravo

Spanish Teacher

Elsa Lorena joined the SSoM faculty in 2024. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education from University San Buenaventura (Cali, Columbia). Inspired by the Waldorf and Montessori pedagogies, she has taught Spanish at numerous schools in the Miami area.

Orlando Colon

Movement, Spanish & Choir Teacher

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Orlando Colon

Movement, Spanish & Choir Teacher

Before joining SSoM in 2022, Orlando’s journey took him to Garden City Waldorf School, Rudolf Steiner School (Los Charcos) in San Miguel De Allende, Brooklyn Waldorf, and the Princeton Waldorf School. Orlando completed Waldorf Teacher Training at Antioch University and is a Level III student at The Spacial Dynamics Institute for Movement in Mechanicsville, NY. Born and raised in NYC, Orlando is an active athlete—basketball, paddleball, racquetball, any…ball!

Elise McLaughlin

Handwork Teacher

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Elise McLaughlin

Handwork Teacher

Since 2017, Elise has taught Handwork at SSoM to grades 1-8. Elise has a BA in Studio Art from Bates College and a Waldorf Handwork Teaching Certificate from Waldorf Handwork Educators. Elise loves helping students gain mastery and confidence as they learn new skills. Elise also serves on SSoM’s Faculty Council and edits the school newsletter.

Tian Lu

Mandarin Teacher (Grade 1-5)

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Tian Lu

Mandarin Teacher (Grade 1-5)

A native Mandarin speaker and well-versed in traditional Chinese culture, Tian Lu joined SSoM in 2024. She has a BA from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology and a Certificate for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of other Languages (CTCSL). Tian Lu enjoys utilizing her artistic abilities to spark the students’ creativity and imagination.

José Torres

Orchestra Teacher

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José Torres

Orchestra Teacher

José has taught strings and orchestra at SSoM since 2016. He has a BA in Music from the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico. José has 35 years’ experience performing with professional orchestras in Puerto Rico, Florida, New York, Washington, DC, and Argentina, and 30 years’ experience as a strings teacher. José previously taught at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music and the Miami Music Project.

Administrative

Marisa Barbosa

Outreach and Enrollment Coordinator

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Marisa Barbosa

Outreach and Enrollment Coordinator

Marisa teaches crafts to grades one and two, and also serves as SSoM’s Outreach and Enrollment Coordinator. Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, she was educated in Waldorf schools from Grades 1-12. Marisa worked as a journalist at a local Miami newspaper for almost 10 years before joining SSoM. Marisa has a BA in History from the Catholic University of São Paulo, and a BA in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida.

Ayame Giralt

Administrative Assistant

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Ayame Giralt

Administrative Assistant

Ayame has worked at SSoM since 2019, where she serves as an Administrative Assistant in the office and provides aftercare support. Ayame first learned of Waldorf-inspired education when she started at Sunrise School of Miami and has loved it ever since. Outside of work Ayame loves sewing, writing, reading, cooking, and baking, and is currently learning to knit.

Cecilia Gonzalez

Administrative Specialist

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Cecilia Gonzalez

Administrative Specialist