Tk - Kindergarten Teachers

Redwood Kindergarten

Main Teacher
Lois Wildgrube
Lois grew up outside of Philadelphia. She received her B.A. from Valparaiso University in Indiana and spent a semester studying in Cambridge, England. As a senior, she enjoyed teaching freshmen in the honors program. She continued her study of English Literature at the University of Chicago, where she received her M.A.. She worked in law firms and taught Legal Research and Writing at Sonoma State University and San Francisco State University. She then worked with emotionally disturbed children in residential treatment and taught in a private school for special needs children. When her son was born she opened a family daycare and preschool. Realizing that working with children and teaching gave her the greatest joy she got her credential from San Francisco State University and has taught at Live Oak Charter for 21 years. She has completed the Waldorf teacher training program with the Center for Educational Renewal. She has one son who has a graduate degree in physics and works for a start-up in San Diego, where he loves to surf.  She lives with her husband of 41 years and  loves to boogie board, hike, bike, read and quilt. 
Kindergarten Assistant
Jen Stevens
Jen was born and raised in Humboldt County. Her father was an elementary school principal, and her mother also worked at the school. She moved to Sonoma County and graduated from Sonoma State after brief stints in Seattle, WA and Chico, CA. She has lived in Sonoma County with her husband Matt for over twenty years. They now live in Cotati with their six kids, thirteen chickens, two cats, and two and a half dogs. 

Jen has been a part of the Live Oak family since 2010. During her time here she has worn many hats, including Parent, Class Coordinator, Foundation Board Member, Newsletter Editor, and Teacher’s Aide. Three of Jen’s kids are Live Oak alumni and two still attend Live Oak.

In her free time she enjoys reading, painting, puzzles, hiking and exploring. There is a rumor that she might be the original creator of Live Oak Rocks.

Rosemary Kindergarten

Main Teacher
​Rebecca River-Teague
Ms. Rebecca was born in the hills above Santa Cruz. Her early years were spent in Santa Cruz, Mendocino, and Fort Bragg. Rebecca moved to Sebastopol and attended Summerfield Waldorf School from 3rd through 8th grade and Summerfield High School from 10th through 12th grade, graduating in 1993. She attended Mills College graduating in 1998 with a BA in Anthropology & Sociology. In 1996 Rebecca married her high school sweetheart Colin Teague and their son Raven was born in 2002. After college Rebecca and her husband worked for the family construction company doing architectural steel fabrication and small remodels. In 2006 Rebecca began teaching movement at Live Oak and found a deep and renewed interest in education.  In 2007 she began a combined Masters in Waldorf Education and CA Teaching Credential program through Touro University and Rudolf Steiner College and became the lead teacher of Rosemary Kindergarten in 2008. Rebecca’s hobbies include silversmithing and jewelry making, D&D, and other roleplaying games.
Kindergarten Assistant
Jen Bennedetti
I step into the classroom each day with enthusiasm, ready to engage and listen. I love the learning process, and Live Oak is truly a creative community of learners who support each other in academic and personal development. For me, teaching is my way of offering young people tools with which to embark on that great exploration of their human potential. I truly honor the role of being a guidepost on their journey to self-discovery. 

In college, I pursued a degree in English Literature because I believe in the power of  well placed words. I went on to become credentialed in English Language Arts because I love witnessing folks learn how to use their voices in diverse ways, speak their truth, and feel heard. Throughout my teaching career, I have worked with k-12th graders and find joy and delight in all the stages and ages of learning and life. At the end of each day I find myself at home with my hilarious family, our aging kitty “Thunder Troll”, and our big bully dog “Ayla” (who is just too much). We love family movie nights, playing games, silliness and sharing food with friends.