Subject Teachers

Maria Ebersole

Why I work at AWS

The dignity and spirit of each unfolding human being is honored at AWS. The faculty and staff are committed to their own self development in service of the students. Art permeates and enriches the curriculum. Stewardship of the natural environment is a pillar, celebrated in the seasonal festivals. It is so exciting to be a part of this!

What I find most special about AWS

The location is so unique and offers untold possibilities for learning about the natural world and the seasons. We have a very dedicated and creative faculty, capable and inspired administration and Board of Trustees, and a very special student and parent body, all dedicated to the "road less traveled"!

My life outside of AWS

My husband Mark is also a eurythmist and therapist, and we have two adult children, both graduates of AWS. Katie lives locally and is active with the Volunteer Fire Department, and works in Buffalo as a Paramedic. John is pursuing his Masters in Special Education for the Severely Disabled in Boston, Mass. I love to garden and hike, and we spend a week or so every summer camping in the Adirondacks. In town we have all been involved with community musical productions at the Aurora Players theater, and sing with Buffalo Choral Arts Society.

Education & Training

• Therapeutic Eurythmy Training, Copake, NY
• Eurythmy Academy, The Hague, Netherlands, artistic and pedagogical
• Waldorf Teacher Training in Wanne-Eickel, Germany
• BA in German and Theater, Antioch College

Meghan Gomez

Why I work at AWS

Waldorf education has had the most profound effect on my life. There is a lasting sense of community. Waldorf education is a life-changing force that can shape and change students to be the best possible version of themselves.

What I find most special about AWS

We teach kids how to breathe, how to find space in their lives to follow their passion, how to find quiet moments to reflect.

My life outside of AWS

I am the proud mother of two future AWS graduates. When I am not at AWS, I enjoy spending time with my whole family where we mostly just play board/card games together. I also enjoy anything and everything about the Arts! We are so fortunate to live in WNY, where there is an abundance of theatre, art galleries, and live music.

Education & Training

• Extra Lesson Training, Association for a Healing Education
• Waldorf Education Trainings at Rudolf Steiner Center and Center for Anthroposophy
• Masters in Childhood Education from University at Buffalo
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from University at Buffalo

Anke Bojanowski

Why I work at AWS

I am committed to the educational philosophy of the school. We educate the whole child and introduce subjects when they are developmentally appropriate.

I appreciate that the Waldorf curriculum affords me the freedom to adapt my lesson to respond to the needs of the students on any given day.

What I find most special about AWS

The school's location is really special, we are in nature, surrounded by a public park and woods and the students really enjoy their time outside learning, playing, and exploring. I am also grateful for the Waldorf community; the parents are very supportive of the school, and there is a unique colleagueship amongst all employees.

Education & Training

• I have a degree in education from the PFI /PFS in Karlsruhe, Germany. Prior to moving to the United States, I was a teacher in Germany. Over the years I have completed numerous Waldorf workshops, studies, and intensives, both general education, and language-specific training.

Megan Munson

Why I work at AWS

I teach at a Waldorf School because the curriculum embodies my core beliefs about childhood. Childhood should be a gentle exploration, full of play and wonder, where children have time to learn about themselves and their connection to the world around them.

What I find most special about AWS

I am continually amazed by the love and kindness that surrounds our community. From the way the teachers really, truly care about their students, to the way the parents are always willing to lend a helping hand.

My life outside of AWS

My husband, Phillip, and I have two sons, Perrin and William. Our family enjoys camping, biking, kayaking, sports and going for walks in the woods. I, personally, love knitting, sewing, and getting lost in the pages of a good book.

Education & Training

• Master’s in Waldorf Early Childhood Education, Sunbridge College
• BS in Elementary Education, SUNY Fredonia

Kara McKenney

Why I work at AWS

I didn’t know much about the Waldorf school before I started teaching here. Now that I’ve been here for a few years, I’d have to say that there’s no better place to be, especially for a music teacher! Music is an integral part of the curriculum and of daily life at Aurora Waldorf School. You just don’t experience that at every school.

What I find most special about AWS

I love the overall philosophy of the Waldorf school, but it's the teachers who implement that philosophy every day in their classrooms, each in their own unique way, that make the school truly special. The relationships built here between teachers, students and parents also give AWS a special sense of community.

Education & Training

BA degree in Arts and Humanities (triple degree in music/theater/philosophy) from SUNY at Buffalo State

David Meyer

Why I work at AWS

I enjoy working with children and showing them how exciting and fun music can be.

What I find most special about AWS

AWS has such a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

My life outside of AWS

I live in Orchard Park with Felicia my wife of 29 years, Barkis the cat, Stevie, and Angel our two dogs.

I have an active private music studio, perform with my wife in the musical duo Kindred, and play many local free-lance cello gigs (BPO, The Who, Stevie Wonder, Weird Al).

Experience & Education

• Private music instructor since 1987
• Master of Music (performance and literature) Eastman School of Music
• Bachelor of Music (performance) West Virginia University

Mark Lim-Aranduque

Why I work at AWS

Teaching at Waldorf gives me the opportunity to make a difference in children’s lives and to help usher them toward a bright future. I feel a sense of duty to serve my community and what better place to do so than at AWS.

What I find most special about AWS

What I find most special about AWS is what the faculty and staff bring to cultivate and nurture every student’s needs.

My life outside of AWS

I live in East Aurora with my wife, Marguerite, daughter and current AWS student, Elizabeth (Ellie) and young son, Joshua. I value time with my family, enjoy the outdoors, health & fitness and all sorts of games (from card games to family bike rides to sports.)

Education & Training

• Spacial Dynamics Level 1 Training
• Movement for Childhood Intensive Training
• Associates Degree in Personal Training, Heritage College
• 4 years Marine Corps

Nathan Kershner

Why I work at AWS

I came to AWS first as a parent and was so taken by the warmth of the school and community that I knew I wanted to become more involved. When this teaching position became available, I jumped at the opportunity to share my enthusiasm for working with wood and turning raw materials into finished products.

What I find most special about AWS

To me, two of the most special features of AWS are our robust movement program and our access to extensive wild outdoor space. I think a number of AWS parents may not know that these elements are the envy of many other Waldorf schools.

My life outside of AWS

I live with my family and a variety of animals on a forested property in the Town of Aurora, where we practice modern homesteading and strive to live seasonally. I am an avid gardener and self-proclaimed plant geek with a particular interest in wild edibles.

Education & Experience

• B.S. in Biology, Brandeis University
• Over the past 20 years I have taught children on and off in such subjects as Hebrew language, rock climbing, challenge course and team building, and martial arts before landing at Aurora Waldorf School.

Julie Williford

Why I work at AWS

I want to serve the wellness and education of children in a healthy, loving, and artistic environment . Each child is also a teacher and a seed in the garden that is growing me!

What I find most special about AWS

I'm so thrilled to begin my journey as a eurythmy teacher at AWS. The collaborative and familial nature of the AWS community continues to amaze me, as well as the depth of striving to understand, cultivate and protect what is essential in this rapidly changing world in which we are living.

My life outside of AWS

As I've just moved to East Aurora, I'm busy learning my way around and exploring the general area!

Education & Training

• BA in Fine Art from Belhaven University
• Eurythmy training (artistic and pedagogical) at Eurythmy Spring Valley
• 8 years of training in Kathak (a classical dance) at Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal in Navi Mumbai, India
• 8 years of training in Classical Hindustani singing in the Guru Shishya tradition

Marguerite Lim-Aranduque

Why I work at AWS

I work at Waldorf because the curriculum and environment are both in harmony with who I am and what I value.

What I find most special about AWS

I love Waldorf because it protects and cultivates the unique authentic self of each individual child which is a great gift that all children should be given.

My life outside of AWS

I spend my time outside of AWS running, cross country skiing, gardening, sewing, and knitting and baking for our family. My heart is happiest when I am with my husband and our two children.

Education and Training

• BA in Clinical Psychology from SUNY at Buffalo
• Associates degree in Fitness Training from Heritage College in Denver, Colorado

Griffin Brady

Why I work at AWS

I believe music is one of the most powerful ways for young people to develop creativity, confidence, discipline, communication, and connection. I’m excited to help grow the instrumental music program at Aurora Waldorf School and to create an ensemble where students can experience the joy of making music together.

I appreciate the way AWS approaches the whole child and recognizes the arts as an essential part of education rather than an accessory to it. There is a strong sense of creativity, community, curiosity, and hands-on learning here that feels very much in line with the way I have approached music education throughout my career.

Outside of AWS, I’m a touring percussionist, educator, ethnomusicologist, and the founder of the Slyboots School of Music, Art & Dance. I am also the Artistic Director of Slyboots Circus and serve as Executive Director of the Bernard Woma Dagara Music Center USA. I have worked closely with the Saakumu Dance Troupe of Ghana for many years and have helped facilitate and often lead annual trips for students to travel to Ghana, West Africa, where they experience music, dance, culture, and community firsthand. I teach percussion privately and with the Orchard Park Quaker Marching Band, and perform with a wide variety of artists throughout the region and beyond. Most importantly, I’m the husband of a fantastic AWS grades teacher and father of two wonderful AWS kids. We love to camp and paddle, we raise chickens and enjoy our dogs and cats.

Education & Training

I studied Music Education and Percussion Performance at SUNY Fredonia and earned my M.A. from Goddard College with a focus on Ethnomusicology and Music Pedagogy. My education has also included more than two decades of intensive study, teaching, and performance in percussion traditions from around the world, particularly West African music. I began studying in Ghana in 2004 and was fortunate to spend many years learning from and working alongside master musicians including Ghanaian gyil master Bernard Woma, Guinean percussionist Mohamed Diaby, and Brazilian master percussionist Cyro Baptista. Since founding Slyboots in 2005, I have taught and performed at hundreds of schools, universities, festivals, and community programs throughout the United States and abroad.