Nurturing Minds, Inspiring Hearts

Juanita brings more than 40 years of experience in education in Barbados, spanning classroom teaching, educational leadership, curriculum development and student welfare. She served for nine years as Principal of Harrison College, one of Barbados’ leading secondary schools, following four years as Deputy Principal of Queen’s College, and has also held roles as Head of Department and Education Officer.

She holds a Master of Education in Literacy, a BA (Hons) in English with History and a Diploma in Education from The University of the West Indies. She has served as President of the Barbados Association of Principals of Public Secondary Schools and First Vice-President of its Caribbean counterpart, and has been named Barbados Teacher of the Year.

At Marinela, Juanita brings this exceptional depth of experience to our Upper Grades, combining academic rigour and a deep understanding of young people to support students as they grow in knowledge, confidence, independence and responsibility.

Hans brings more than 30 years of experience in Waldorf education, combining class teaching with an exceptional background in practical arts, craftsmanship and music. Originally from Germany, he holds a BA in Art Education (Waldorf) from Alanus College and has taught in Waldorf schools across Germany, the United States, Canada, Guatemala and Costa Rica, including roles as Faculty Chair and School Principal.

Before becoming a Waldorf educator, Hans trained as a Master Organ Builder and ran his own organ-building workshop for many years, later working in furniture making and woodwork. A skilled musician, he brings music naturally into the classroom, teaching children the flute and ukulele and sharing his own love of making – even playing a guitar he crafted himself.

At Marinela, Hans brings together education, music, art and craftsmanship, creating a rich and engaging Lower Grades experience where children learn not only through thinking, but also through creativity, movement, music and working with their hands.

Gillian brings more than a decade of experience in Waldorf Early Childhood education, combining classroom teaching with pedagogical leadership and artistic practice. She was previously Lead Kindergarten Teacher and Early Childhood Department Chair at Brooklyn Waldorf School in New York, where she guided a mixed-age Kindergarten and supported curriculum development and parent education.

Her approach is rooted in the rhythms of Waldorf education, where storytelling, imaginative free play, music, seasonal experiences and immersion in nature create a nurturing foundation for early childhood. A trained visual artist with a BFA in Painting, Gillian also sings and plays guitar with the children as part of the daily Kindergarten rhythm, and her parent workshops and community events reflect the importance she places on strong relationships with families.

At Marinela, Gillian brings together Waldorf pedagogy, art, music, storytelling and a profound respect for childhood, creating a Kindergarten where children feel secure, inspired and free to develop through play, imagination, meaningful rhythm and a close connection with nature.

Rebecca brings a rich background in ceramics, traditional crafts and nature-based arts education, combining the experience of a practising artist with a deeply hands-on approach to learning. An experienced ceramicist, she founded and ran her own pottery studio for more than a decade, and her work has been featured in Country Living magazine.

Before joining Marinela, Rebecca led nature-based arts and craft programmes at Camphill Village Trust in the UK, a community inspired by Waldorf principles and the “head, heart and hands” approach to learning, where she supported learners with a wide range of individual and additional needs. Her practice extends far beyond pottery to willow weaving, wool processing and spinning, beeswax candle dipping and puppetry, so children learn not simply to finish a project, but to understand where materials come from and the care and perseverance involved in making by hand.

At Marinela, Rebecca brings together art, pottery, handwork, nature and traditional craftsmanship, giving children the satisfaction of taking something from raw material to finished creation while developing creativity, patience, practical intelligence and a deeper connection with the world around them.

Danica is an early childhood educator trained in Education, Care and Development in the Early Years at Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, and in Child Care and Development at the Career Development Institute.

Her experience spans nursery and preschool settings, working with children from infancy through the early years and supporting daily rhythms, educational activities, creative play and outdoor experiences. She has also planned and led creative activities for older children as a camp counsellor.

At Marinela, Danica brings her warm and nurturing approach to Little Seeds, creating a gentle and supportive environment where our youngest children can explore, play and grow alongside their parent or caregiver.

Qaasen, known to the children as “Q”, brings a multidisciplinary background spanning psychology, counselling, physiology and athletic performance. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and counselling and is a registered psychophysiologist in the United States.

His experience includes supporting both children and adults through counselling, and he is particularly interested in the connection between physical development, emotional wellbeing and healthy childhood development.

At Marinela, Q brings this whole-person perspective to Physical Education and Swimming, helping children develop confidence, coordination, resilience and a positive relationship with movement and their bodies.

Haydn is one of Barbados’ most accomplished professional tennis players and coaches, having represented the island internationally for more than two decades. A former ATP professional, he has competed around the world, represented Barbados in the Davis Cup and now serves as captain of the men’s national Davis Cup team. His international career also includes working as an elite training partner for world-class players, including Caroline Wozniacki and Gaël Monfils, as well as coaching at the US Open.

A certified TELOS Tennis Coach, Haydn brings an awareness-based approach to the game that connects movement, breath, concentration and confidence. His work with children focuses on creating a positive, supportive environment where they can learn through movement, exploration and direct experience while developing at their own pace.

At Marinela, Haydn brings his international playing and coaching experience to Tennis, helping children develop coordination, focus, confidence and resilience while discovering a genuine enjoyment of the game.

Khadijah brings a lifelong connection to plant-based cooking, having first discovered her love for the kitchen while growing up alongside her father’s vegan and vegetarian food business. Her professional experience later included working as an ice cream maker and pastry chef assistant, where she developed practical skills in food preparation, kitchen hygiene, dietary accommodations and presentation.

Her interests extend beyond the kitchen into gardening, medicinal plants and the creative use of vegetables and herbs in food. She has hands-on experience creating and maintaining kitchen gardens, including growing, harvesting and caring for produce using natural methods.

At Marinela, Khadijah brings these experiences together as School Chef, preparing wholesome, plant-based meals while supporting the school’s wider connection between food, nature and everyday learning.