Golden Bridges School educates students led by inspired and creative teachers. 
Our teachers share the vision and a passionate commitment to an education that is transformative.
Collectively we strive to harmonize the physical, emotional, and intellectual life of each child as we equip
​our students with the tools to become free-thinking, moral human beings. 

All of our employees are asked to actively pursue and practice anti-racism, personal improvement,
​and service to the school's mission, bringing energy and excitement to serve all students, faculty, and families.

Administration
Golden Bridges School is independently incorporated and self-administered. The Administration is responsible for finance, development, business matters, enrollment, and communication. The Steering Committee, comprised of teachers and administrators, is responsible for all aspects of student life including the hiring and evaluation of teachers, admissions,
academic standards, pedagogy, and curriculum.

Willow Hagge

Administrative Director
They/Them

Willow Hagge (they/them) has worked in education for 16 years, they come to Golden Bridges School from Hamlin where they served as the Director of Operations for the past four years, and before that as Director of Extended Day Programs.  Willow studied English, Art History, and Studio Art at Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, receiving a combined BFA and BA. Willow also holds an MFA in Printmaking from the University of Wisconsin. Willow loves how their art school skills – generating ideas and seeing them through to completion – have served them well over the years in many different areas of life and work. Willow enjoys sewing clothes, painting, and camping with their two boys, Elliott and Spike (GBS 1st & 4th graders), and their spouse Bunny. Willow is transgender and uses the pronouns they/them/theirs.

Andrea Regjo

Enrollment Manager
She/Her

Andrea Regjo is a Golden Bridges School mama and San Francisco native. As Enrollment Manager, Andrea’s superpower is building relationships and expanding the GBS community with families that she knows will be a great fit. She’s always willing to lend a hand and problem-solve. She hugs generously, isn’t afraid to cry, and loves to have a night out dancing. 


Spanish / Español

Jessie Elliot

Co-Founder, ​
​Director of Development, She/Her

Jessie is a Waldorf-trained teacher and professional administrator who brings a passion for weaving practicality and spirituality into every facet of the school life.  As a founder, Jessie has participated in the development of the administrative and governing bodies of the school.  Jessie has one child at Golden Bridges School and one child at the San Francisco Waldorf High School.  ​

Hebrew / עִברִית

Patti Gelinas

Afterschool Director
She/Her

Patti is a dog loving, club juggling mother of two daughters. She has been delivering and administering enrichment and camp programs in SF for over 15 years. In that time she’s coached circus arts classes, managed STEM focused summer camps, and developed new enrichment programming from the ground up. She grew up in Southern Maine where she spent countless hours as a kid exploring the outdoors, peeking under rocks, climbing trees and cruising the neighborhood on her bike (she still loves doing all those activities, btw). She has a degree in Performing Arts from Emerson College and is a Certified Positive Discipline parent educator. She’s excited to continue evolving her understanding of how to support children holistically.

Lyssa Beshears

Pedagogical Director
She/Her

Lyssa brings a lifetime of experience as a student of Waldorf education herself. She attended the East Bay and San Francisco Waldorf schools. She holds a BA in Geology from Occidental College, an MS in Geological Sciences from Ohio University, and her Waldorf teaching credential from Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training. She holds numerous certificates in Social Justice training through RISE Center for Social Justice at San Francisco University.  Lyssa has worked as a Waldorf early childhood and grades teacher, and in death care. She has three teenage children attending high schools around the Bay. Lyssa loves hiking, camping, gardening, crafting, singing in her husband's band, and being a proud Oaklander, where she lives on unceded Ohlone Huichin land with her family and their three cats.
​
German / Deutsch

Early Childhood Faculty
Our Early Childhood teachers support our children to feel nurtured, protected, and secure in a rhythm of predictable activities and loving interactions. As Waldorf trained educators, we strive to meet the unique developmental needs, capacities, and cultural backgrounds of each child. We believe play is the “true work” of the young child. Our teachers support active, creative, imaginative, unstructured play as a way of experiencing and understanding the world.

Justine Costerouse

Jess Buslach

Danielle Conover

Co-Founder, Preschool Teacher She/Her

Justine is a 3rd generation, native San Franciscan. Before becoming a Waldorf teacher, Justine studied philosophy at San Francisco State University and practiced homeopathy.  She is the mother of a 23-year-old, non-binary child, who inspired her discovery of Waldorf education. Justine graduated from Rudolf Steiner College in 2008 with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. Prior to helping found Golden Bridges, she worked at the SF Waldorf School for ten years. Her passions, include dance, gardening and knitting, and Golden Bridges School, where she gets to do all of the above! ​

Lesley MacDonald

Kindergarten Teacher
She/Her

Lesley grew up near Yosemite National Park and studied theatre at the University of California Santa Cruz. She received her Waldorf Grades training certificate from Rudolf Steiner College and taught at the Davis Waldorf School, taking her class from 1st-4th grade. Life then brought Lesley to San Francisco and Golden Bridges, to teach in both aftercare and Kindergarten since 2017. ​

Preschool Teacher
​She/Her

Jess was born and raised outside of Seattle. Early in her career she studied cosmetology and worked in salons and spas. After traveling around the U.S. and Central America, Jess gave birth to her daughter Maia, which inspired her Waldorf journey. Jess began working in preschools and started a home daycare inspired by Waldorf and RIE philosophies. When Jess joined GBS aftercare and volunteered at Dandelion Preschool in 2018, she knew she'd found her place in the world. She began Waldorf teacher training and the following year started teaching at Dandelion Preschool. Jess loves going to hot springs, finding new vegan restaurants, and spending time with her daughter Maia, a Golden Bridges student.

Kaori Yamashita

Kindergarten Teacher
They/Them 

Kaori was born in Japan and moved to the U.S. in 1997. They studied creative writing at Bunkyo University and then worked as an astrologer in Tokyo while being involved in organic farming and experimental dance theatre.  Kaori studied Waldorf Early Childhood and World Language Education at Sunbridge Institute. They have taught for twelve years, most recently in New York teaching in Parent-Child Programs, Preschool, and Aftercare, as well as Japanese to Grades 1-5. Kaori is passionate about working with plant dyes and has learned Lakota ceremonies for 20 years. They moved to SF with their son in 2021 with delight!
​
​Japanese / 日本

Preschool Teacher
​She/Her

Born and raised in San Francisco, Danielle is so proud to be a part of this growing community in the heart of her hometown! Danielle received her undergraduate degree in Performance Art and Dance at Sarah Lawrence College and her Masters in Creative Inquiry at CIIS. She is most proud of her title “Mama to June” (in 5th Grade) and delights in bringing her love of play and creativity to Golden Bridges Preschool students. 

Jimena Bertschi

Kindergarten Teacher
She/Her

Jimena is a native of Argentina and her greatest love in the world is to observe a child's amazement at discovering something new, especially in nature. As her interest in education deepened, she moved to California in 2015 to pursue Waldorf Teacher Training. Jimena first worked as a Kindergarten assistant and later taught Spanish from 1st to 8th Grade students at the East Bay Waldorf School. In her free time, she enjoys singing, reading, cooking, and hiking.

Spanish / Español

Grades Faculty
​Beginning in First Grade, students have a class teacher who guides their learning for multiple years. Our teachers foster wonder, reverence, attention, curiosity, and confidence to form the solid foundation on which the children build their academic learning. During the daily Main Lesson, teachers provide an in-depth exploration of subjects in blocks of four to six weeks.

Miel Alegre

​Grades Teacher, Class of 2030 
She/Her ​

Miel is an avid crafter, chef, and proud collector of folk tales from her homeland, the Philippines. She has a background in educational non-profits and has a graduate degree in Cultural Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz. She is a parent to three children, one of whom is off to college in Iowa. She has worked as a substitute and support teacher in Kindergarten prior to moving into a grades teaching position.   

Tagalog / Filipino

​

Christy Bovis

Grades Teacher, Class of 2031
​She/Her

Christy has passion for fostering language and cultural understanding. She joins GBS after six years in the dynamic world of dual Spanish immersion, teaching grades K-1. Christy holds a BA in Spanish Language and Culture with a minor in Ethnic Studies, and recognizes the importance of embracing diversity and inclusivity in education. She is driven by a profound love of teaching and a sincere desire to make a positive difference in the lives of my students. She strives to create a space where young learners can thrive and develop as compassionate humans. Christy has two girls (Aurora and Nayeli)  and enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, canning, and baking with her family.

​​Spanish / Español

Jaimee Rungsitiyakorn

Grades Teacher, Class of 2025
​Chair of the College of Teachers 
She/Her

Jaimee was born and raised in San Francisco. She studied Creative Writing at Mills College and completed her Waldorf Grades teacher training at Rudolf Steiner College.  Prior to joining Golden Bridges, she worked in the SF Waldorf School after-school and parenting programs.  Jaimee began teaching at Golden Bridges in 2014 and in that time she has worked with Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grades.  Jaimee has two daughters who attend Urban High School.

Lyssa Beshears

​​Grades Teacher, Class of 2027-28 She/Her

Lyssa brings a lifetime of experience as a student of Waldorf education herself. She attended the East Bay and San Francisco Waldorf schools. She holds a BA in Geology from Occidental College, an MS in Geological Sciences from Ohio University, and her Waldorf teaching credential from Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training. She holds numerous certificates in Social Justice training through RISE Center for Social Justice at San Francisco University.  Lyssa has worked as a Waldorf early childhood and grades teacher, and in death care. She has three teenage children attending high schools around the Bay. Lyssa loves hiking, camping, gardening, crafting, singing in her husband's band, and being a proud Oaklander, where she lives on unceded Ohlone Huichin land with her family and their three cats.
​
German / Deutsch

Abbie Coburn

Co-Founder, Grades Teacher,
Class of 2029, She/Her​

As a school co-founder Ms. Coburn spent her first four years as a teacher in the preschool program and then in the grades.  She then transitioned to support the growing administration as Faculty Chair for four years.  After years of helping advance the GBS vision and mission in all its pieces, Ms. Coburn is thrilled to be back on the grades journey with an incredible class.  She has three children who are part of this community, and a partner whose steadfast support continues to make all this possible. Abbie loves to travel, go for long walks, and burst with laughter.

​Spanish / Español
French / Français​​

Niku Bolourchi

Grades Teacher, Class of 2026
She/Her

Niku was born and raised in San Francisco, has always loved learning and working with children. She earned her Bachelors in Communicative Disorders at San Francisco State University and began her career as a reading and learning specialist, working for learning centers and schools, and having her own educational center. She recently earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of San Francisco with a focus on Social Justice.  For nearly 20 years, Niku has been working with students from birth through middle school, most recently as a Lead Teacher at My City School.  Niku joined Golden Bridges in 2022 and loves coming to school with her son Teddy every day.

Katherine Delafkaren

Grades Teacher, Class of 2024
She/Her

Katherine grew up in Orange County and is a Waldorf graduate herself. After attending San Francisco State University and earning a degree in viola performance, Katherine received her teacher training in Grades at the Rudolf Steiner College in 2015. Katherine joined her current Golden Bridges class in their First Grade year and continues to guide them through their educational journey. She also leads the Grades program and faculty in music and singing.

Specialty Teachers
Specialty teachers support the core curriculum taught by class teachers. Subject classes such as Spanish, Music, Farm, and Handwork are taught by specialty teachers with expertise in their subject areas. While Main Lesson provides in-depth exploration of subjects in blocks of four to six weeks, subject classes are taught throughout the year.  

Stephanie Blair

Handwork Teacher
She/Her

Stephanie grew up outside of Philadelphia and Houston, before moving  to San Francisco in 2007 to study Fashion Design at the Art Institute of California. After a few different jobs sewing cases for technology devices, making flower arrangements for a florist, and event planning weddings, she found Golden Bridges in 2017. Starting with aftercare at Dandelion Preschool, then moving to aftercare for the Grades, and then teaching arts and crafts and handwork, she thrives wherever she is needed. Stephanie welcomed her first child in 2021. ​

​Maria Prieto Díaz

Spanish Teacher
She/Her

​Maria grew up in Spain. After graduating with a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Education, life brought her to San Francisco where she's been since 2011. She enjoys the diversity of this city, and the opportunities that being in a multicultural environment have for her family. She loves exploring, traveling, and is passionate about language learning. Maria is dedicated to nurturing personal and emotional growth in her students, and to help them reach their full potential.

​Spanish / Español

Natasha Singh

Sexual Literacy & Ethics
She/Her

Natasha has worked in education for 20 years and taught at institutions including Rutgers University and The Collegiate School. She speaks widely on sexual ethics, sexual exploitation, and ending gender-based violence. She works as an educational consultant to schools communities to create curriculum and education that addresses sexual assault prevention, consent, porn literacy, toxic/mindful masculinity and the hyper-sexualization of girls, and healthy relationships.  Natasha co-launched the Consent and Healthy Relationships Assembly, a vital  tool for schools seeking educational dialogue around the prevention of sexual violence. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Asha Rising.

Mel Buslach

Farm & Life Science
They/Them

Born and raised in Seattle, Mel studied publishing arts and photography. They put down roots in California after three years traveling the globe. Mel lived and worked on a farm, where their passion for botany and farm life deepened. Mel moved to Oakland and taught gardening classes and climate change education in several SFUSD schools. As a queer, nonbinary, white person and as an educator, Mel has made it their personal responsibility to unlearn white supremacy, to center People Of Color, to practice anti-racism, and work to dismantle interlocking systems of domination and oppression. ​When they don’t have their hands in the dirt, Mel enjoys spending time in queer community and eating delicious vegan food. 

Jenna Frank 

Land Steward & Farm Teacher She/Her

Jenna grew up in Massachusetts where she spent time dancing, painting, and exploring coastal tide pools with her brothers and cousins. She received a B.A in Environmental Studies and International Affairs from Skidmore College, where she discovered a passion for outdoor education. Jenna has had the privilege of working with many inspiring farmers in Latin America to support the wellbeing of communities and ecosystems. She is incredibly grateful for spending each day in an urban oasis, building a relationship with the land and sharing meaningful experiences with curious children.

Colin Shober

Mathematics, Grades 4-7, Chess Club He/Him

Colin has been coaching and teaching  since 2014. He has been teaching chess since 2017 for The Mechanics Institute and The Berkeley Chess School. He also coaches wrestling at the high school level, giving personal lessons and helping out at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory School. Colin has a B.A. in Psychology from Northwestern University, where he also competed on the wrestling team for four years. He is excited to be sharing his knowledge and insights with the students of Golden Bridges School. 

Kristen Cuneo

Handwork Teacher
She/Her 

​Kristin received Handwork Teacher Certification at Rudolf Steiner college in 2013.  She taught handwork and grades for eight years at Desert Sky Community School in Tucson, Arizona. Kristin loves children and their enthusiasm for handwork. Kristin has been a potter and ceramic sculpture artist off and on for 30 years. She currently creates ceramic and multimedia sculpture at Palo Alto Art Center. She also enjoys practicing Iyengar yoga, swimming, and spending time with her husband and close friends.

Beth Powell

Educational Support Teacher
She/Her

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Beth had first her start in the classroom as a teen visiting her mom’s adult ESL class. She holds a BA in Math from San Jose State University and a MA in Transformative Leadership. An early summer job at a tutoring program for students with learning disabilities sparked joy and years later, after exploring other opportunities in the picture framing and semiconductor industries, she returned to education as the director of a company that helped kids learn to read and love math. She has taught in the UC Santa Cruz Extension Educational Therapy program and is now doing what she loves most, working with students directly and helping others support unique learners. In her free time, Beth plays harp and kayaks.

Support Staff

Heirani Chevier

Campus Custodian
He/Him