Meet our teachers

Sommer brings a rich and diverse background to her work as an educator. She holds a BA in Educational and Cultural Studies from Evergreen State College, a Waldorf Teaching Certificate from Sound Circle Center in Seattle, and a Permaculture Design Certificate from Lost Valley in Oregon. Her strong work ethic was shaped early on through her time as a wildland firefighter in Oregon, and her understanding of human and ecological relationships grew through extensive travel—volunteering on organic farms across Europe and studying Spanish and cultural immersion in Central and South America. Her fieldwork in Mexico in wildlife biology, with a focus on ornithology and botany, also continues to inform her nature-centered approach to teaching.

For over 15 years, Sommer has devoted herself to nurturing and educating children of all ages. She has taught in a variety of settings, including the Seattle Tilth Children’s Garden, AmeriCorps programs, Brightwater Waldorf School in Seattle, and as a teacher at Windsong School in Spokane. Through these experiences, she has developed a deep appreciation for the rhythms of childhood, the importance of meaningful work, and the power of imaginative play.

Sommer is continually inspired by the wisdom of Waldorf education and the healing presence of nature and animals. Her teaching is grounded, heartfelt, and alive with the magic of the natural world—guided always by her most beloved mentor: Mother Nature herself.

Melissa is a mother, musician and lover of nature. She has worked in Waldorf setting for two years, has taught preschool music classes as well as been a leader at summer camps. When she is off the clock you'll find her baking sourdough, painting, hiking with her children, playing with her animals, writing songs and poetry and dabbling with herbal medicine.

Celia Vigil is a lifelong Spokanite with a passion for spending time outdoors and working with children. She has worked with youth and children in various capacities, including helping run a youth soccer camp for immigrant and refugee youth, teaching swim lessons, and teaching reading and writing in Spanish at an elementary school in Costa Rica. Celia loves hiking and volunteering to clean up natural areas. She even once worked on a highway litter crew and learned to set up a “Work Area Ahead” sign in ten seconds with her team. She is an avid watercolor painter and loves all things arts and crafts. Celia also speaks Spanish and studied Spanish literature. She is thrilled to be a part of the Blessing Farm & Forest community.