Meet the Marinela Team

Nurturing Minds, Inspiring Hearts

Our highly qualified and enthusiastic team come from all around the world. They have been selected to guide your children with loving authority and to provide a world-class Waldorf-inspired education.

Our Founder

Marina Sardzhveladze

Marina holds a philosophy rooted in her love for children and a belief in the power of a holistic lifestyle and approach to education.

​Inspired by the work of renowned educators such as Shalva Amonashvili and Rudolf Steiner, Marina envisioned a unique educational programme founded on love, respect, and a deep understanding of each child’s individual personality.

Her vision is to create a learning environment which fosters the comprehensive, holistic development of children, taking into account not only academic growth, but also emotional, spiritual, and creative development.

Marina is the mother of three unique children herself – each of whom reveal to her a new way of seeing the world. She sincerely believes that every child follows their own path and it is the role of education to support them on their journey - guiding them with sensitivity, and an understanding of who they are as individuals.

Woman in a floral dress holding hands with a toddler, walking on a blue sports court with two other barefoot kids nearby, surrounded by greenery.

“Our highest endeavour must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education.”


— Rudolph Steiner
Meet Our Learning Team

Those Who Lead with Love

Older man with gray hair and beard wearing a green shirt, placing a floral wreath made of leaves and purple flowers on his head.
Hans Tholken
Elementary Teacher

Born and raised in Germany, I have been teaching at Waldorf schools for 30 years, covering all grades from 1 to 12 in various positions and roles. I have worked as a crafts and art teacher, a music and foreign language teacher, and, of course, as a class teacher.I have taught not only in my home country, but also in Switzerland, Sweden, Hawaii, Canada, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.

A woman with short gray hair and glasses sewing green fabric at a table with art on the wall behind her.
Catherine Beecham
Elementary Teacher

I am originally from Canada, and I have been teaching for over 20 years both in private schools and in Waldorf Schools. Most recently, I started and taught at the Pacific Waldorf School in Costa Rica. I love teaching, and I strive to bring an engaging curriculum to inspire a love of learning and a curiosity in my students.

A young girl in a white martial arts uniform receiving a blue belt from a woman in a black martial arts uniform indoors.
Brittany Mosier
Movement Teacher

I am a devoted martial arts teacher and mother, inspired by the joy children find in movement. With over 15 years of experience as founder of Karate Baby Academy and a 4th Degree Master Instructor, I bring both discipline and warmth to my teaching. At Marinela, I nurture children to move with joy, develop healthy rhythms, and believe in themselves.

Woman with hair tied back and wearing an apron sits on the ground outdoors, engaging with children.
Rebecca Lamont
Kindergarten Assistant

I have spent my career creating sessions in pottery, willow weaving, beeswax candle dipping, mandala art, puppetry, yarn spinning and bread baking. Drawing on principles of Waldorf education, I develop schemes of work that reflect the natural world, seasonal rhythms, and the ‘head, heart, and hands’ approach – integrating movement, space, and daily rituals.

“Joy in living, a love for all existence – such are among the life long results of a right cultivation of the feeling for beauty and for art.”


— Rudolph Steiner
We Are Hiring!
Smiling woman with dark skin and long black hair in a white circular frame.Portrait of a middle-aged man with short gray hair and warm brown skin, smiling gently.Smiling woman with straight black hair wearing a gray top against a white background.Smiling man with glasses and a beard on a white circular background.

Join Our Community of Inspired Educators

Marinela is growing. We’re seeking passionate, Waldorf-aligned educators who love working with children and believe in nurturing the whole child. Join us in a nature-rich setting on Barbados’ west coast, with a team grounded in creativity, connection, and care.

Join a community of nurturing families

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