Helen Choi – Currently on Maternity Leave - Childcare Administrator/Supervisor
Helen holds a BFA from York University and completed her Early Childhood Education program at Seneca College.
She also completed the Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy at the Rudolf Steiner College of Canada and currently taking the Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Training for ages Birth to Seven.
She has been working in the child care/ the early years field for the past 10 years and her passion for delivering quality early years experiences and learning is what inspired her to become a part of the Child Care Faculty and the Administration team at TWS in 2018. She is an experienced administrator with a demonstrated history of working in the licensed child care field- specifically in managing and operating child care programs, serving a wide range of age groups from toddler to school-age. Since she joined TWS, she’s gained much knowledge and experienced the values of Waldorf Pedagogy and the education approach- especially, how it can truly support children’s early learning and experiences.
She has become an active advocate and supporter for Waldorf Education and hopes that many more families and children can experience holistic and deeper ways of learning.
Layla Ali - Designate Supervisor - Child Care
Layla is a George Brown College graduate having received her ECE Diploma in 2017. She joined TWS shortly after graduation with a keen interest in Waldorf Education. In 2018, Layla completed her Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy at the Rudolf Steiner Centre. She worked as a preschool assistant until 2019 when she decided to embark on an educational experience abroad.
Layla moved to London UK and taught in a baby classroom with London Early Years Foundation. During that time, she learned about mainstream education, LEYF pedagogy as well as how play based experiences are fostered abroad.
Layla returned to TWS in late 2021 and took on the assistant supervisor role in hopes of branching out her experience.
Gayathri Kandasamy - Lead Childcare Teacher
In 2019, she completed her Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy from Rudolf Steiner Centre while working as an afternoon assistant in Birchgrove Kindergarten.
Katya Bazgosha-Alaei - Lead Childcare Teacher
Katya graduated from the University of Bremen, Germany with a Masters Degree in Social Pedagogy. She also did a Birth to Three training at the Paritätisches Bildungswerk in Bremen, Germany. During her studies, she was a substitute teacher in a Waldorf inspired childcare and later became the lead teacher of the toddler group in 2007. Katya received her certificate in Foundation Studies from the Rudolpf Steiner Center Toronto. She joined the TWS Childcare in 2016, bringing with her 13 years of experience working with children aged 1-3.
Remi Yeo - Lead Childcare Teacher
Remi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Korea National University of Arts and a Masters of Expressive Arts Therapy from Seoul Women’s University. She studied Waldorf Early Childhood Education at Seonam Waldorf Foundation in Korea. She has completed the Foundations Studies in Anthroposophy, and has completed the Early Childhood Teacher Training (Birth to Seven) at the Rudolf Steiner College Canada.
She has more than a decade of work experience working with children as a performer, an art therapist and a teacher in a variety of establishments. She is the author of a poetry songbook entitled, “Cucumber is Alive.” She is passionate about sharing her love of nature through artistic work. She also enjoys gardening and composing songs for children.
Tara Chen - Lead Childcare Teacher
Tara Chen joined the TWS faculty in 2017. She completed her Foundation studies in Anthroposophy at the Rudolf Steiner Center, and thereafter finished her Waldorf Teacher Training for ages Birth to Three in 2019.
Tara is an RECE, and after completing her Early Childhood Education diploma in 2006, she spent over 10 years abroad gaining international experience in the Childcare field. She also holds a BA in World Religions and is a registered sleep consultant. She has enjoyed working with a variety of families from across the globe.
Amy Yuk - Childcare Assistant
Having been inspired in Waldorf education, Amy joined the TWS community in 2019 after successfully completing her placement. Amy has completed her Foundation studies in Anthroposophy at the Rudolf Steiner Center and is currently taking the Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Training from Birth to Three.
Amy is a Registered Childhood Educator and received her ECE diploma from Seneca College in 2019. She also holds a bachelors and Masters degree in clothing and textile in science from South Korea.
She loves creating materials and resources useful to her classroom, enjoys nature and hand crafting.
Chelsea Eo - Childcare Assistant
Chelsea is a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), and she joined the TWS faculty in 2020 as a Childcare Assistant in Rosebud. She graduated with honors from the Early Childhood Education program at Humber College. During her studies, she completed a field placement at Waldorf Academy and soon became a substitute teacher. During her time at Waldorf Academy, Chelsea was deeply inspired by her fellow Waldorf educators and their approach to children and families. She is passionate about creating and maintaining a loving, caring environment that surrounds children with warmth, beauty, joy, and wonder.
Lavinia Chung - Childcare Assistant
Lavinia graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Fine Art specialized in Music and completed her Early Childhood Education Diploma from Seneca College. After her studies, she spent about 8 years teaching in international schools in Asia.
Lavinia joined the TWS Early Childhood Faculty as a Supply Teacher in January 2021 and soon was promoted to be one of the Child Care Assistants in the toddler group. She believes that parents, children and educators are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. We all have a piece and together we make a beautiful picture.
Madhavi Mali - Childcare Assistant
Madhavi holds a degree in Bachelor of Arts from Mumbai University, India. She completed her Early Childhood Education diploma from Seneca College with honours in 2016.
Madhavi has over six years of experience nurturing and caring for children of all ages. She has worked in YRDSB as Educational Assistant caring for the children with exceptionalities.
Currently she is completing her Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy at the Rudolf Steiner Centre and is also enrolled in Waldorf Teachers Training from Birth to Seven years.
Besides caring for children she enjoys music, singing, gardening, cooking and baking. Madhavi is a compassionate individual with a loving heart.
Natalia Gomez - Childcare Assistant
Natalia is a nurturing, warm and knowledgeable assistant with 19 years of experience in working with children. She finished her Waldorf Early Childhood Education Birth-to-Three training in 2017 at the Rudolf Steiner College of Canada in Thornhill. Natalia also has a bachelors degree in Education, specializing in Early Childhood Development.
Before joining TWS, Natalia worked for six years at the Waldorf Academy Childcare Centre. She was first introduced to Waldorf Education in 2007, where she was part of a pilot project of a Waldorf School in Quito, Ecuador.
Natalia enjoys nature walks with her family and dog, needle felting, cooking, and practicing yoga and meditation.