Our Staff
Judith Frizlen is a mother, educator, writer and community supporter. She has a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and a Master of Arts with a concentration in Human Development. Her pre-teaching career involved writing for health and beauty magazines and a skin care company in New York City. She taught elementary grades at Calasanctius School and Buffalo Public Schools, and then presented seminars for teachers at learning centers, colleges and statewide conferences before coming back to Early Childhood education which she describes as the nearest thing to heaven. She has taught every position in early childhood education at Aurora Waldorf School as well as directing the City Satellite.
As Director of Rose Garden Early Childhood Center, Judy looks forward to watching young children and their families grow.
Loriann Kostusiak is a mother of three and has been a teacher for the past sixteen years. She has a Bachelors of Science and Arts degree in English Secondary Education and Philosophy and her Teacher Certification and Masters' Degree in Waldorf Elementary Education. Loriann began her career as a middle school reading teacher in Weston, Connecticut. She and her growing family then returned to Buffalo, where she taught English at Mount Mercy Academy and served as the Chairperson of the English Department. Her concern for respectful and healthy education for her young daughters led her to the Aurora Waldorf School, where she began training as a Waldorf teacher, and took a class from Grade one through Grade six.
Lori took time off to start her own tutoring business and have a son, but the draw of Waldorf education and working with wonderful teachers and young children has brought her to the Rose Garden, where she is thrilled to be the teacher in the Sweet Pea Preschool.
Stephanie Neikirk-Epes has been teaching for over 25 years. She has taught all ages from Nursery School children to College students. Her background is in Psychology and Art History. She did graduate work in Museum Education at Bank Street College of Education in New York City, and completed the three-year part-time teacher training in Waldorf Education at Sunbridge College. After graduating a class at Aurora Waldorf School, she took an extended sabbatical to pursue other interests.
Now she works part time as the Assistant Director at The Rose Garden, and subs in classes as needed.
Mariah Kegler began her education at the Beautiful River Waldorf School in Buffalo at the age of three. Since then, she attended Aurora Waldorf School, Orchard Park High School and East Aurora High School where she graduated in 2008. She has worked at the Lexington Food Coop, and plans to eventually pursue a career in massage therapy. She spent a month in a small town in rural Honduras volunteering at a children's day care center for the local kids. She is now very excited to be working at The Rose Garden as our cook.
Alexandra Moomaw was born and raised in East Aurora New York. She was part of the Pioneer Class at Aurora Waldorf School from 1992-1994. She attended high school at The Park School, and received a creative writing degree from SUNY Brockport. In Ithaca, Xan worked in an after school program and as an assistant teacher at a small in home day care. After a nine month farm apprenticeship on the west coast, she returned to Buffalo and joined the staff of The Rose Garden. Xan is thrilled to be working with such inspiring people. She loves to sing, garden and cook.
Theresa DiMuro-Wilbur graduated from Daeman College in theatre. She has been both a company member and taught at TOY – Theatre of Youth. Ultimately she became their theatre/school co-ordinator. She has toured city and suburban schools for TOY and for the Western New York Institute for Arts and Education. Theresa moved to California where she returned to school for early childhood studies. In California, she taught and then directed at the same center for 17 years. Now back in Buffalo with her husband Jeff, she lives on the West Side helping to revitalize the neighborhood. Currently she also acts with The Brazen Faced Varlots.
Emily Neff grew up in Springville New York. She graduated from Saint Michael's College in Vermont with a B.A. in English Literature. She has spent most of her summers in Algonquin Park, Canada either at her family cottage or at Camp Northway Lodge, an all girls canoe tripping camp. At Algonquin Emily acquired the values of appreciation of nature, patience, responsibility, and leadership. Emily has worked in child care for the last 4 years, both in a facility and a private home. She loves every minute of her work with children! She joined The Rose Garden in November of 2010 as a kindergarten assistant, and is excited to be able to continue to work here
Sandy Suy moved to Buffalo in 2004 and attended Cleveland Hill High School. Following this, she studied Interior Design at Buffalo State College. For the past year, Sandy has found her niche here at The Rose Garden, learning and loving her role at the Center. Sandy now plans to change her major and pursue Early Childhood Education.
Victoria Kuper grew up in Rochester, NY. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Niagara University and a Masters of Arts in Performance Studies from New York University, where she studied the intersection of community development and healing. Victoria dedicates her time to facilitating the empowerment of young people and the growth of healthy communities. She has spent many summers working at Longacre Leadership, a farm-based summer program dedicated to fostering leadership in youth through shared work, direct communication, and sustainable living. Since 2009, she has continued this work in Buffalo. She is a member of Nickel City Housing Cooperative and has sat on the national Education Board and Properties Board at North American Students of Cooperation, which provides anti-oppression education and strategic support to cooperative communities in the United States and Canada. Victoria is co-owner of Fancy and Delicious Baking Company, co-founder of The Buffalo Barn Raisers, and a fire performer with Pyromancy Fire Theatre. She loves working as a Teaching Assistant in the Toddler Room at The Rose Garden and looks forward to gaining more experience in Waldorf Education.
Erin Cook grew up in Warwick, NY. She attended Waldorf schools from pre-K through high school and was deeply shaped by supportive community, nurturing faculty, and hands-on experience which Steiner schools provide. Early on, she began studying French and German, and developed a passion for language at a young age. Erin is a graduate of The University at Buffalo and holds a Bachelor of Arts in French with a minor in Dance. She was greatly influenced by her experience living and studying inFrance and tutored students in French following graduation. Upon moving back to Buffalo, Erin worked at Teen Treks, a bike-trip based summer camp where she had the opportunity to lead long-distance trips throughout the Northeast, teaching teens life-skills and leadership along the way. In 2009, she made a deeper commitment to her yoga practice and attended Teacher Training at Kripalu, later opening Hand to Heart Yoga in January, 2010. Erin credits her Waldorf foundation for cultivating her ability to take new and exciting risks while dually nurturing a deep sense of gratitude in her life. Erin enjoys working as a Teaching Assistant in the Kindergarten Room and looks forward to learning the philosophy and practice behind Waldorf Education.