Faculty & Staff

Faculty & Staff

Faculty & Staff

Maryann FYNN

Maryann FYNN

Principal

Maryann refers to herself as a late bloomer. She joined the teaching profession after working for 14 years at one of the major banks in South Africa. It was only when her son started high school that she joined the Centre for Creative Education in Cape Town, South Africa, from which she graduated with distinction in 2010 with a bachelor’s in education degree. Maryann then became a class teacher, first at Gaia Waldorf School and then at Imhoff Waldorf School in Cape Town. During her sabbatical year she furthered her studies and completed her honours in education at the University of Cape Town, focussing on mentoring newly qualified teachers.
Maryann is passionate about teaching, especially maths, and simply loves the Waldorf approach which inspires her to always find creative and interesting ways to work with the children. Her approach to teaching is one of fun and ongoing learning. Maryann is excited about teaching in Hong Kong and learning about the Chinese culture. She is looking forward to contributing to the development of this young pioneering school in Hong Kong.

Lajja MANDAL

Lajja MANDAL

Vice-Principal & Class Teacher

Lajja was born in India, and completed her primary and middle school education in Abu Dhabi. After graduating from Mumbai University in microbiology and genetic engineering, Lajja’s passion gravitated towards teaching. She went on to earn a bachelor’s in education degree at Mumbai University. She served as a high school teacher and a high school supervisor in an international mainstream school for 7 years in Mumbai prior to her calling to Waldorf education. Then, she completed her basic and advanced diploma in Steiner education in Mumbai, India. She has also received training in basic eurythmy.
Before joining Forest House, Lajja worked at a Waldorf School in Mumbai for more than 13 years. During this time, she was both a grade teacher and a high school guardian. In her high school role, Lajja specialised in astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics and history of art.

Wincy CHAN

Wincy CHAN

Acting Assistant Principal & Class Teacher

Wincy was born and raised in Hong Kong. She obtained her degree in fine arts at Ohio State University in the US and obtained a post-graduate diploma in education from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She then served as a primary and secondary art teacher at a local school and taught art education to early childhood educators and parents at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) for a few years.

After her first son was born, she encountered Waldorf education and appreciated its holistic approach to education. Wincy further immersed herself in Waldorf education by attending a Waldorf early childhood teacher training course in Hong Kong and participated in various workshops and lectures. She is excited to be part of Forest House Waldorf School in Hong Kong.

Amee HEYBURGH

Amee HEYBURGH

Class Teacher

Amee was born and raised in South Africa. Her passion for working with children has continued to grow and blossom throughout her years of working in various childcare positions. Her love for movement began with her dancing career, which later allowed her to travel the world and teach dance to children in different countries. She then obtained her bachelor's degree in Waldorf education at the Centre for Creative Education in Cape Town, South Africa. After graduation, she worked with special needs children in a small tutoring centre.

Amee then became a class teacher at Gaia Waldorf School where she was once again reminded of the power and magic of the Waldorf curriculum. She took her students to Class 7. She is passionate about movement, storytelling and the creative arts. Amee looks forward to learning and growing in this new community.

Sally CHEN

Sally CHEN

Class Teacher

Sally discovered Waldorf education when she was looking for alternative education systems for students with learning difficulties while on a fellowship for Teach for Hong Kong. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, majoring in English. Sally, who is originally from Taiwan, looks forward to learning and growing with this loving and caring community. She wants to bring this wonderful pedagogy and vision for education to more children in Hong Kong. She is very excited to join the Forest House team.

Precious MATIONG

Precious MATIONG

Class Teacher

Precious gained close to 7 years' experience as a Waldorf teacher in one of the Philippines' first parent-initiated Waldorf schools. After completing her bachelor’s degree in education, she became interested in alternative teaching pedagogies. Her first encounter with Anthroposophy and Waldorf Education left a profound impression on her and she knew then that it would become a lifelong passion for her. She has since worked and consulted with teaching coaches, attended Asian Teacher Training in the Philippines, and taken several Waldorf courses conducted by local and foreign mentors with years of experience in Waldorf Education.

Precious then enrolled at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and pursued a Master of Arts in Filipino. She not only improved her research and documentation abilities, but also helped the school's efforts to indigenise the Waldorf curriculum.
Precious enjoys how she can incorporate her passion for the arts, such as music, crafts, and storytelling into her teaching. As a Waldorf teacher she aspires to bridge the gaps in children's education.

Lourdes HABAN

Lourdes HABAN

Class Teacher

Lourdes was born and raised in the Philippines. She obtained her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Santo Tomas, majoring in special education. In her six years of professional work, Lourdes has explored different progressive learning and teaching practices, such as outdoor learning. She tutored students from preschool to high school, covering lessons in history, sciences, mathematics, English and Filipino languages. She joined a Waldorf school in 2019 and taught her class from the first to the third grade. She then supported the fourth-grade class with online lessons.

Lourdes enjoys activities geared towards language development, such as speech exercises, singing, drama, and writing. Currently, she is studying for her master's degree in education, focusing on Waldorf education, at Antioch University New England in the United States. Lourdes aspires to do active and age-appropriate class activities for the students to enjoy and love, backed by research and experience.

Rolita SEQUEIRA

Rolita SEQUEIRA

Class Teacher

Rolita Sequeira has been working in education for more than a decade. She graduated from the University of Mumbai with a degree in biotechnology, and went on to earn a master’s degree in medical biotechnology. She also holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Mumbai.

After giving in to her calling to become a Waldorf educator, Rolita successfully
completed the Steiner Education course in Mumbai, and attended a Waldorf Education seminar held by the Anthroposophical Society in India. She was struck by how the Waldorf curriculum is designed with the developmental profile of the child in mind.

Rolita then began her teaching career in a Waldorf school in Mumbai, India. She taught in both the middle and high schools and thoroughly enjoyed teaching the upper grades. She is delighted to be a Waldorf educator in Hong Kong, and is thrilled to be part of the Forest House family.

Atonia Colleen Evans

Atonia Colleen Evans

Class Teacher

Toni, as she is affectionately known among her friends, joined the teaching profession after completing a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Waldorf education at the Centre of Creative Education in Cape Town, South Africa.
She then did a 7-year cycle from Class 1 to Class 7 at Stellenbosch Waldorf School in South Africa. The followingyear, during her sabbatical, she mentored the new Class 1 teacher, assisted with administrative duties, did admission interviews for the new Class 1 children and filled in as the substitute teacher.
Besides being a class teacher, Toni also served on the College of Teachers and the Board of Trustees as a teacher member.
After Toni’s sabbatical year, she started in Class 1 again and left at the end of Class 2 to pursue a new adventure, coming to Hong Kong. During the two years that Toni worked at anotherWaldorf school in Hong Kong, she also did teacher training for aspiring young Waldorf teachers. Toni started her journey at Forest House Waldorf School in August 2024.
Toni is passionate about the English language and the beauty of the written and spoken word. “Language offers us the possibility of richer communication and expression. This gift enables us to know each other better and offers us growth as human beings.”
Toni is excited to be a part of the Forest House community.

Lydia LONG

Lydia LONG

Mandarin Teacher

Lydia was born and raised in mainland China. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in teaching Chinese as a second language at Jiangxi Normal University. After that she obtained her master’s degree in education at The University of Hong Kong. She is certified to teach both in Hong Kong and in mainland China. Lydia has 9 years’ teaching experience in Thailand, the United States and Hong Kong. She is flexible and experienced in teaching different disciplines, such as the Chinese Immersion Programme and the IB curriculum, in Chinese.

Lydia is open-minded and likes exploring new things. She loves to create a positive, joyful, and supportive classroom environment that helps students to develop mutual respect. She is also considerate and patient and uses different teaching methods to meet every student’s needs. Lydia is energetic and enthusiastic. She likes hiking, playing tennis, drawing and handcrafts. She enjoys integrating these hobbies with her teaching.

Mattiolni LI

Mattiolni LI

Mandarin Teacher

Mattiolni (Matt) Li was born in Beijing where he attended school. He completed his bachelor’s degree in teaching English as a second language and a master’s degree in translation and bilingual communication at the Hong Kong Baptist University. He has eight years of teaching experience and is certified to teach both in Hong Kong and mainland China. He is also accredited as a senior teacher in teaching Chinese as a foreign language by the International Chinese Language Teachers Association.

Matt is an enthusiastic and caring person. He loves travelling and worked as a volunteer in Cambodia, teaching underprivileged children English and Chinese. Magnificent natural views never fail to fascinate him, and he loves to communicate with people from various cultures. He also likes singing and playing sports such as football and table tennis.

Matt is excited to be a part of Forest House Waldorf School and is looking forward to making his contribution to our Waldorf family.

Mark YU

Mark YU

Bothmer Movement Teacher

Mark has extensive experience in management and finance, having spent more than a decade as a senior executive in a multi-national company. Since 2010, Mark has been focusing his own professional development in Waldorf education. He obtained his Waldorf professional qualification in bothmer gymnastics movement and biographical coaching. He also gained valuable experience working with children and adults from different cultural backgrounds.

Mark is one of the founding members of Forest House Waldorf School. He was the organiser of Waldorf 100 Hong Kong, and is currently running a Waldorf education training centre, providing professional training to early childhood teachers.

Clara FEITER

Clara FEITER

Eurythmy Teacher

Clara was born in South Africa where her appreciation for nature, different cultures and languages was nurtured. She was raised in a home with a strong anthroposophical ethos and attended a Waldorf school from KG. This was where Clara developed a deep love for eurythmy and music.

After completing 13 years of Waldorf schooling, Clara went on to do a four-year training course as a social care worker at a Camphill school — a specialised home for children with disabilities and special needs — in Germany. Here she reconnected with her love for eurythmy, which led her to return to South Africa to do her eurythmy training at the Kairos School of Eurythmy at the Centre for Creative Education in Cape Town.

To teach eurythmy in Hong Kong is like a wish come true for Clara, and with careful observation, she is looking forward to guiding each child through their developmental stages of learning while teaching them eurythmy.

Evgeniia MENASSA

Evgeniia MENASSA

Art & Craft Teacher

Evgeniia was born and raised in Russia and completed her master’s degree at Amur State University, majoring in garment technology and engineering.

She then moved to Shanghai, China, and did a course at Donghua University, Shanghai in CAD apparel pattern making, in Mandarin. After that Evgeniia moved to Hong Kong and become a passionate art and sewing entrepreneur, teaching children for almost a decade in Hong Kong.

She discovered Waldorf education in 2015 when she enrolled her children in a summer programme at a Waldorf School in Moscow. Evgeniia fell in love with the educational approach and has been taking her children every year to spend their summers in this creative and natural environment. She has received training to work as a teacher at Waldorf summer camps.

Evgeniia is excited to join Forest House Waldorf School, and is looking forward to spreading her talents and passion for the arts, crafts, fashion, and design - and to support and grow the Waldorf community in Hong Kong.

Christina LEE

Christina LEE

Music Teacher

Christina Lee obtained a Master of Education degree from the Open University of Hong Kong and a Master of Arts in Music (majoring in Music for Early Childhood) from the Hong Kong Baptist University. She also holds a Master of Creative Music Therapy degree from Western Sydney University. She finished her clinical training for this degree at Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia. During her training she conducted music therapy programmes in mainstream schools, special schools, centres for the homeless, hospitals, centres for the severely disabled, and homes for the elderly.

Christina now works as a piano tutor and substitute teacher. With her current training in Dalcroze, Orff and Kodaly, teaching music to children and encouraging them to express themselves through interactive music playing is one of the many reasons Christina is excited to join our FHWS community as our music teacher.

James CHAN

James CHAN

Violin Teacher

Born in Hong Kong, James Chan was drawn to the violin at an early age after hearing a live concert. Soon afterwards, he began taking violin lessons. After completing his LLB Law degree at University of East Anglia in England, he decided to follow his passion to pursue a career in music. He furthered his music studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London and obtained his master’s degree in music education and performance.

James Chan is a dedicated violin pedagogue who has taught in a variety of educational settings. He is currently a violin tutor and ensemble coach at Yew Chung International School and Forest House Waldorf School.

Vivianne HUANG

Vivianne HUANG

Parent Relations Officer

Vivianne is a person with many talents. Her work experience and her tertiary education in France, obtaining a diploma in specialised higher education, has shaped her character with agility, efficiency and independence. She is able to speak and write in Cantonese, Mandarin, English and French. She graduated with a certificate in Waldorf early childhood teacher training. She is more than a regular administrative officer handling daily school paper and administrative work, but also supports various outdoor and indoor activities, school events as well as parent communication. Vivianne is a mother of two children, both in Waldorf education.

Vivianne is passionate and enthusiastic about Waldorf education. She loves sharing joy and being involved with colleagues and parents in all the school activities. She strongly believes that Waldorf education is not just a better alternative path for children’s development but also an ongoing lifelong learning experience for her personal wellbeing. She is willing to contribute all her efforts to make the school environment the best it can be.

Fio NG

Fio NG

Administrative Officer

Fio holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Marketing Management degree from the City University of Hong Kong. She has 7 years’ experience in office administration and has been part of the executive team of various companies in Hong Kong.

Now she organises school events and activities for Forest House where she works hard to create a memorable school life for every student. She loves nature and outdoor activities. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, and listening to music. She is enthusiastic and tries to enjoy every single moment of her life. That is why working at a Waldorf school, where going out into nature is part of the daily rhythm of the education philosophy, is the best thing that could have happened to her.

With Fio’s positive attitude and tireless energy, she is excited to explore her new life at Forest House where she feels encouraged to grow and develop even more.

Wendy WONG

Wendy WONG

Accountant & Human Resources

Wendy has more than 10 years’ work experience in accounting and management. She acquired her bachelor’s in business administration and started her career as an auditor. Later she started her own business to fully utilize her knowledge in business management and has learnt a lot about the business world. After she gained her ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualification and her first child was born, Wendy was introduced to and became attracted to the pedagogy of Waldorf Education.

She is glad to join the Forest House family and is looking forward to growing together with the community to the next level.

Carol LIU

Carol LIU

Accountant

Carol Liu was born in mainland China and completed her bachelor's degree in Shanghai, majoring in economics and law. After that she obtained her master's degree in accounting at the City University of Hong Kong. She then worked in various companies gaining experience in accounting.

With a strong interest in Waldorf education, Carol sees it as a great opportunity to be part of FHWS. And, as an accounting officer, she is looking forward to contributing and sharing her knowledge and experience with the school.

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