Director

Ms. April’s journey in Waldorf education began in 2015, when she was searching for a warm, nurturing preschool for her first child. Her connection with Circle of Friends Waldorf Preschool and Kindergarten in Bend soon blossomed into a teaching role in 2020, where she stepped into leading the toddler class with heart and dedication. After completing 40 hours of Waldorf early childhood training and attending the WECAN conference, Ms. April became a devoted advocate for Waldorf education. She recently completed her first year of foundational teacher training at the Micha-el Institute in Portland, deepening her understanding of Steiner’s work and philosophy.

Ms. April was especially moved by the contrast she observed between children in mainstream classrooms—who often struggled with skills like empathy, curiosity, and resilience—and those in Waldorf early childhood settings, where these qualities are gently cultivated every day. It was this realization that affirmed her calling in Waldorf Early Childhood Education.

With seven years of teaching experience in both public and private schools, Ms. April brings a rich background in hands-on science education, especially in Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science. Before founding Soul Blossom, she served as the Water Education Lead at the Environmental Center, engaging K–7 students in exploring the natural world, and provided classroom support during extended teacher leaves at the Waldorf School of Bend.

Having spent her childhood between Nelson, New Zealand, and Bend, Oregon, Ms. April carries with her a deep love for nature and community. Inspired by her mother’s passion for quilting and naturalism, she fondly recalls attending the Sisters Quilt Festival and admiring the artistry that echoed Central Oregon’s wild beauty.

After graduating high school in New Zealand, she spent time traveling across the South Pacific before earning her BS in Fisheries and Wildlife from Oregon State University in 2008. She worked for five years as a Field Biologist before transitioning into teaching, earning her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Portland in 2016. Today, she delights in raising her two adventurous, clever, and bilingual sons, Silas and Asher, alongside her husband James, fostering curiosity, connection, and wonder every step of the way.

Teacher

Ms. Angel brings a sense of magic and heart to every space she enters, especially when it comes to caring for young children. Her natural ability to connect with babies and toddlers—paired with her calm presence and intuitive understanding—makes her a cherished guide during the early years of development.

Before joining our team, Ms. Angel wore many hats: she worked as a personal chef, a trusted nanny, and a life skills coach, always finding herself drawn to roles rooted in care, nourishment, and human connection. No matter the setting, her gift for making children feel safe, seen, and loved has always shone through.

Currently pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education, Ms. Angel is deeply committed to both personal growth and the lifelong learning journey of the children she supports. Her experience, combined with her quiet confidence and joyful spirit, creates a nurturing environment where children can thrive.

At the heart of Ms. Angel’s work is a genuine belief in the power of early relationships—and her dedication to building strong, supportive bonds is felt by every child and family she meets.

Teacher

Meet Mr. Chris—A Creative Heart with a Musical Touch!

Mr. Chris brings a unique blend of talents to our team! With a BA in Family Studies and a minor in music, he’s not only a skilled professional but also an artisan who sews beautiful, handmade children’s toys. He is designing and leading our music programs for the little ones in the Buttercup and Huckleberry Rooms. His experience working with children with special needs, and using music in a therapeutic setting, makes him a wonderful addition to our family. We’re so excited for him to share his creativity and warmth with all of our little ones!

Teacher

Ms. Joanna brings a thoughtful, grounded presence to our Wobbler classroom, where her calm energy and deep care help little ones feel safe, seen, and supported. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California – Santa Cruz, with a focus on early childhood development, and has worked as a Lead Guide in an infant and toddler classroom at Guidepost Montessori.

In addition to her work with young children, Joanna has led teams in healthcare and service settings, where she was known for her reliability, attention to detail, and strong communication. Whether coordinating care for patients or guiding toddlers through their first friendships, she brings a deep commitment to nurturing connection and curiosity.

Joanna is honored to walk alongside children and families during these tender, foundational years—and we’re so grateful to have her as part of the Soul Blossom team.

Chef • Administrative Assistant • Classroom Support

Ms. Ashley brings warmth, creativity, and care to everything she does at Soul Blossom. As our Chef, she prepares nourishing meals and snacks with intention and love. In her role as Administrative Assistant, she helps keep our program running smoothly behind the scenes, and as floating classroom support, she builds meaningful connections with children and supports daily transitions with ease.

With a calm and grounded presence, Ms. Ashley has quickly become a trusted and valued part of our team. Whether she’s serving a meal, greeting families, or jumping into a classroom activity, she brings heart to every corner of our school.

Physical Thearpist

Originally from San Juan, Argentina, Eugenia completed her Bachelor’s Degree In Kinesiology and Physiology at the National University of Cordoba, Argentina. She went on to validate her Physical Therapy Degree and certification to work in the USA. Eugenia realized her passion for pediatrics while working at the Children’s Hospital in Cordoba. There she was trained to work in respiratory, neurology and orthopedic care. Her treatment approach is very hands-on, holistic, and she loves to help her patients and families achieve their goals. She has recently been certified as a bilingual interpreter and she is looking forward to helping the Latino community as well.

In her free time Eugenia enjoys live music, climbing, biking, and traveling with her husband, three kids, and brown lab, Kala.