Teacher Bios

Lolly Rogers

Lolly Rogers grew up in Florida and spent much of her time playing outdoors. Her parents moved in art and music circles, thus providing a variety of creative people for Lolly and her siblings to be around. She developed a love for art early on, and as a young teenager traded pottery and batik lessons for babysitting. Lolly was also a bookworm and thrived on academics, as well as art. She received a BA in Anthropology with a minor in Geology from Florida State University. After completing her archaeology field school in St. Augustine, she worked as an assistant registrar at Lightner Museum.

Years later, after moving to Oregon, Lolly enrolled her children in the Eugene Waldorf School, and eventually entered the Eugene Waldorf Teacher Training Program there. She has taught grades one through eight in Oregon, Washington, California, and Florida, and took shorter term positions in Alaska and the Caribbean. The high need for Waldorf teachers in the world opened doors and made it possible to travel and work in various regions. Lolly has now returned to St. Augustine to fulfill one of her dreams- to bring Waldorf Education to St. Augustine.

Paola Fallas Gaskin

Paola Fallas Gaskin grew up in San José, Costa Rica. She was lucky to grow up in a country where there is beautiful nature all around. Both of her parents are biologists, which gave her and her siblings a unique appreciation for nature. Paola received a BA in Early Childhood Education from Universidad de Costa Rica and a specialization in Speech Therapy and Learning Disabilities. While Paola was in school, she worked as a teacher assistant at an international school. After completing her BA, she moved to the pacific coast, Jaco, where she taught preschool. Paola then came to the USA to teach as a Spanish Immersion teacher in North Carolina, where she taught from Kindergarten to Third Grade.

Paola and her husband decided to move to Florida to be closer to family. She worked for two years at a preschool, before deciding to stay home with her daughter, Lucia. After a couple of years, Paola decided to join Star Song School teaching Spanish. She quickly immersed herself in learning more about Waldorf Education, and has become a beloved teacher in the grades program.

Ava Grundvig

Ava Grundvig is a Florida native. She was born in Flagler Beach and grew up in St. Augustine where her parents always encouraged her to go on new adventures. As a child, she spent much time sailing, camping, and reading. Ava’s father is a sailor and marine carpenter, and her mother is a librarian, and their influences are obvious. As a teenager, Ava was very interested in art, beginning with drawing and branching out into painting, crocheting, sewing, and baking. When she was 18, with her father's help, she began the restoration of her own sailboat, and gained a love for carpentry as well.

A few years later she moved to Arkansas where she lived on a shared property with her significant other's family. There she acquired many more skills, ranging from shearing sheep and planting a garden to herbal remedies and taking care of children in a communal setting. Ava then returned to St. Augustine where she has worked as a nanny and in childcare, and where she continues to find new ways to enjoy nature and art with her students. Ava joined the staff of Star Song School as the Handwork teacher (fiber arts) and Aftercare teacher, then transitioned into a long-term Kindergarten substitute. Currently, she is the Handwork teacher and assisting in Second Grade, demonstrating her versatility and dedication. Ava lives with her partner, dog and three cats and enjoys cooking, riding her bike, and swimming.

Amanda Shields

Amanda Shields taught in Montessori programs before beginning her career in Waldorf Education. She will begin her formal Waldorf Training this spring. Welcome to Star Song!

Stephanie C.

Stephanie C. is joyfully coming to join us out of a 38-year journey as a Waldorf Educator/Teacher Trainer in the U.S. and Canada. A native of Northern California, her heart has always drawn her to the sea, quite literally, body board at her side! As a child, she was a voracious reader and musician, playing her first Beethoven Sonata in recital at age 11. University years began with a focus on academics and Psychology, then turned back to the performing arts, culminating in Bachelor's Degrees in Vocal Performance and Piano, and a minor in German, and theater/dance training.

Alongside her long career in Waldorf Education, Stephanie has also appeared as a Soprano, Pianist, Choral Director, Actress and Movement Artist in North America and Europe. During her time with the Montreal Symphony Choir, she assisted Chorus Master Iwan Edwards and shared the stage with many world class conductors and soloists. Her activities as an actress in live French/Acadian theater culminated in receiving the award for best supporting actress at the 1993 national Canadian theater festival.
The artistic, multicultural, spiritual and holistic approach of Waldorf Pedagogy was an immediate and natural fit, soon after completing University studies. Stephanie has taught from Kindergarten through High School, and in Waldorf Teacher Training centers and conferences across North America and is passionate about bringing a wide range of Rudolf Steiner’s indications also into mainstream settings.
As a descendant of early 17th C colonial pioneers, she innately carries a deep love for the creative and transformative social process of developing initiatives in community, from the roots up. She is eager to immerse herself in the history, creativity, enthusiasm (and nearby beach-vibe!) of St. Augustine and the Star Song School community!

Melissa Gebo

After growing up in Massachusetts, Melissa had the opportunity to travel the world, thanks to her husband’s military career. During that time, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies while starting a family and immersing herself in cultures across the United States and Europe. On her journey, Melissa has accumulated over two decades of teaching and leadership experience across a wide range of educational settings, and her real-world experiences have given her a well-rounded outlook on life.

Melissa first discovered the joy of practicing Waldorf principles as a home educator, teaching her own elementary-aged children by nourishing their creativity, artistic expression, and love of learning. Her commitment to Waldorf education deepened while leading a home-based preschool program, where she wove Waldorf principles into the children’s experiences. Melissa’s love for the natural world inspires her adventures as an avid traveler, hiker, crafter, and natural foods cook. She finds deep joy in exploring the outdoors and spending meaningful time with her family and friends.