Our Executive Director is Ms. Laura Cruz. She is responsible for all administrative functions of the school and keeps our school home happy and bright. Ms. Laura served as a Dragonfly teacher for two years, enjoying outside play at The Playgarden, where she won our hearts with her caring disposition and grace with the children.

Laura Cruz graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education. She is a National Board Certificated educator who taught art for 10 years in Miami at Shenandoah Middle Museums Magnet school spearheading the magnet program curriculum and infusing the creative arts into the core curriculum. Mrs. Cruz was the Interim Director of Education at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville leading key community outreach programs including Voice of the People with SP Livingstone Elementary and Rainbow Artists for students on the Autistic Spectrum in Duval County Public Schools. Laura is celebrating her sixth year as The Playgarden Executive Director, building community in Early Childhood Education in Jacksonville Beach. She has completed her LifeWays Early Childhood Certificate through LifeWays North America and Waldorf Administration Training through The Center for Anthroposophy at Antioch University.

Miss Cindy worked in the administrative/accounting field in different businesses for over 15 years. She has been our Playgarden Under the Stars lead for two years and her son attended The Playgarden and currently attends Spring River. During this time she had a strong pull towards working with children & families. Cindy joins us as our Financial Controller in 2024. We are so happy to welcome her knowledge and talent to TPG.

Ms. Adana serves as a Pedagogical Chair for the College of Teachers and Senior Lead Teacher for the Hummingbird program. She holds a bachelor's degree in fine arts, has worked in a variety of early childhood settings with children with diverse learning styles and needs. Since joining The Playgarden faculty in 2011, Miss Adana completed LifeWays Early Childhood Education Training through LifeWays of North America in Lincolnville, Maine. She has completed numerous trainings including Explorations Training through The Center for Anthroposophy and is currently seeking her Masters of Waldorf Education with a transdisciplinary focus in Healing Education. She has been a LifeWays Mentor for many years and she had the distinguished pleasure to teach handwork courses for our recent year long LifeWays Certification training. Miss Adana brings her gentle natural warmth and love of fiber arts to our littlest ones in our Playgarden family.

Miss Hunter brings her passion for teaching to our Dragonfly 3-day class at The Playgarden. Born and raised in North Florida, she wholeheartedly guides her students on a captivating journey of learning and growth. Her academic accomplishments include a Bachelor's of Social Work in 2019 and a Master's of Social Work in 2020, earned from The University of North Florida. With a rich background in Social Work and valuable experience in therapeutic settings for children and adolescents, Miss Hunter's profound interest in alternative and holistic approaches called her to this nurturing community. At The Playgarden, where cherished values include fostering relationships, resilience, and a deep love for nature, she finds herself truly grateful to serve as a dedicated steward to our enchanting school by the sea. In her spare time you can find Miss Hunter gardening, beekeeping, wandering in nature, and spending cherished time with her family. She received her LifeWays Teacher Certification in 2025 training through gracious support of our nonprofit fundraising efforts.

Born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, Miss Ira moved to Jacksonville Beach 15 years ago. She has 3 kiddos (all of them Playgarden alumni). Her family recently added a new fur baby to the family, a silly black lab mix. As a family, they love to spend time at the beach the most!

Miss Ira graduated from the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in 2010 with a degree in Philology. Back in her college years, she worked with young children as an English language tutor. Miss Ira discovered The Playgarden years ago, when they were looking for the best preschool for their firstborn. They fell in love with the sweet nurturing environment, wonderful community, and best teachers ever. After volunteering here and there "just to fulfill my volunteer hours :) ", she fell even deeper in love with our school, and continued her Playgarden journey as a they Parent Council president for 2 years before becoming a camp counselor, a Teacher’s Angel, and now a Lead teacher.

Miss Jen is enjoying her fourth year as a Dragonfly teacher and Teacher Angel lovingly guiding our 3-6 year old mixed age class.
Jen received her Bachelor of Arts from San Diego State University in Psychology. She comes with years of experience working with children in and out of the classroom. She received her LifeWays Teacher Certification in 2021 and has been bring her joyful teaching style and gentle spirit to all of the families here at The Playgarden.

Miss Jenna is our Butterfly Teacher for our sweet wee ones. She taught our Ladybug Parent Child class for four years and was a Teacher's Angel for the Dragonfly, Hummingbird Forest hybrid, and Butterfly classes before moving into this lovely role. She completed her LifeWays Fundamentals in 2022 and full LifeWays Certification Training in 2025. Miss Jenna joined the board of directors in 2024 representing the College of Teachers. She enjoys spending time in Atlantic Beach with her family, surfing and camping.

Jayme Boulware is an educator, counselor, and yoga instructor who believes deeply in the healing power of movement, rhythm, and presence. A Jacksonville native, she grew up along the banks of the St. Johns River, where her love for storytelling, music, and the natural world began to take root.

Jayme’s path to Waldorf education opened through her role as a School Counselor at Seaside Charter North, where she supported children and families with compassion and creativity. Over the years, she has also brought yoga and mindfulness practices to those often overlooked by traditional education systems, teaching in jails, rehabilitation centers, and to at-hope youth, always holding space for transformation and connection.

She holds a Master’s in School Counseling and a Bachelor’s in English Education, and is a certified 500-hour yoga teacher with a focus on trauma-informed care. Her teaching blends breath, storytelling, movement, and emotional awareness in a way that invites children into deeper relationship with themselves and the world around them.

Now also a mother to a spirited three-year-old, Jayme continues to be inspired daily by the wonder and wisdom of childhood. In her classes, she strives to nurture joy, confidence, and inner balance, offering a safe and creative space for each child to grow in strength, stillness, and self-expression.

Miss Mia Irizarry is delighted to serve as the Lead Teacher in the 2-Day Dragonfly program. Miss Mia brings a heartfelt dedication to nurturing young children in a warm, imaginative, and nature-filled environment.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Child Psychology and a minor in Social Welfare and completed the LifeWays Fundamentals Course through LifeWays North America, which deepened her commitment to holistic, relationship-based early childhood care. Guided by Waldorf principles and inspired by Rudolf Steiner’s teachings, she thoughtfully supports the growing child—body, mind, and spirit.

In the classroom, Miss Mia weaves in mindfulness and nervous system regulation techniques, helping children feel calm, loved, and free to be who they are. Her background as a nanny, Birth & Postpartum Doula, and Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor allows her to care for children and families with both empathy and insight.

Passionate about fostering connection, creativity, and emotional resilience, Miss Mia is grateful to continue tending to the magic of early childhood at our school by the sea. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, trying out new hobbies, and spending quality time with close friends and family.

Miss Natalie is celebrating her 10th year with The Playgarden holding so many rolls as lead teacher in our Butterfly, Hummingbird Forest Hybrid, and Dragonfly Forest as well as Teacher Angel. As a Senior College of Teachers member, she brings her magic and years of experience as a mentor for several years. Natalie received her LifeWays North America Teacher Certification in 2016 and has mentored LW students as well. She is a former board member and alumni mama of two. She enjoys spending time with family and supporting her children's travel sports teams.

Miss Kyle holds a B.S. in Geography from Florida State University and earned her Lifeway Early Childhood Certification in 2020. She completed Cedar Song Certification in 2022 bringing the Cedar Song Way to the forest. Miss Schaller enjoys spending her time with her family, hiking, biking, camping and camping. She is ecstatic to welcome the Forest Gnomeschool families and looks forward to many wonderful years under the trees.

Miss Maria is our lovely Dragonfly Forest Teacher. She originally found The Playgarden community for her child, quickly found her way into the role of Teacher Angel during maternity transitions for two teachers. While working with Forest Gnomeschool, she found a calling to join the team in our forest programming and in doing so, found a home for herself!

She was the operator of Chago's Cantina in Nashville, TN for over 11 years, building managerial and leadership experience and sharing her love language. She has earned a reputation for always stepping up, for being reliable, and for my willingness to go the extra mile. She brings her creative approach to the children in her care in our 100% outdoor class.

The values that drive Miss Maria are Integrity, curiosity, empathy, and excellence. She is energized by the possibility of leading, innovating, and inspiring through collaboration with teachers and community.

Outside of school, she spends her time with my family, cooking and dancing in the kitchen, on the boat or at the beach, and seeking adventure in the outdoors. “These pursuits keep me creative and grounded, and often give me new perspectives to bring back to my professional life. “I’m grateful for every opportunity and challenge that’s shaped me so far, and I’m excited for whatever comes next. With curiosity, resilience, and a genuine commitment to growth, I look forward to making a positive impact—and helping others do the same—at every step along the way.”