Kindergarten Teachers
Hellene Brodsky Blake
Hellene Brodsky Blake brings 15 years of teaching experience (8 at Journey) to the table. Throughout her career, Ms. Hellene has learned to cultivate joy, love, and reverence in her classroom like seeds in a garden. Ms. Hellene is especially excited about building exceptional “community” with parents and colleagues.
In addition to extensive teaching experience, Ms. Hellene is a life-long learner who possesses the following degrees and credentials: BS in Psychology, MS in Clinical Psychology, MA in Waldorf Education, Waldorf Certification, California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and a School Psychologist Credential.
Laura Bujjoni
Laura Bujjoni was born in Laguna Beach, California, but was quickly whisked away to live the life of a hippy baby in Northern California. She spent her more formative years floating down the Feather River in a small town named Twain. She and her siblings found the river to be their refuge and hardly a day went by that they were not in it, near it, or high above its canyon walls settling into a camp with or without their adult counterparts.
Mrs. Bujjoni’s search for happiness brought her back to Orange County where she met the love of her life and now, husband. She worked for a short time doing sales and waiting on tables until she decided to take a course or two at the junior college.
“This step thrust me and my spirit into the task of going all the way to try and re-define myself as well as how I would spend the rest of my days. This was of course to become a school teacher. I greatly enjoyed my journey in education and would have loved to have been a career student; unfortunately the pay is not very good!”
Mrs. Bujjoni is thrilled to be at Journey School! She adds, “I am now a teacher at an amazing school where I can be that career student while serving children that I have come to know and love on a level that I never thought was possible.
Laura Bujjoni graduated Cum Laude from California State University Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Laura’s post graduate work includes a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University Fullerton.
Jill Murphy
Born in Laguna Beach and raised in San Clemente, Ms. Murphy’s love of the ocean is deep and wide. Riding on her father’s shoulders down through the canyons to ‘Murphy’s Beach’ is one of Ms. Murphy’s first memories. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the Gaelic translation of Murphy is ‘sea warrior’. With deep Celtic roots, Ms. Murphy loves all things Irish and does a wicked Irish accent.
Ms. Murphy’s life has always seemed to revolve around school, her Father was a teacher and her Mother drove a school bus. The youngest of three children, Ms. Murphy has an older brother and an older sister. One of those students who always loved school, Ms. Murphy was fortunate to have inspirational teachers who made teaching seem like the coolest thing to do. Thank you Mrs. Sievers!
Beginning in Early Childhood Education, Ms. Murphy began as an aide in Kindergarten while still in High School. She went on to work in several pre-schools, then a life shift pulled her in another direction for a time, working for a local doctor, then at San Clemente Hospital for several years. Then came another major life shift, marriage and motherhood. Ms. Murphy is the very proud Mom of three amazing boys, all of whom are Journey alumni. Ms. Murphy and her boys have a deep love for animals, and their home has often resembled a petting zoo.
A History Major, Ms. Murphy returned to school and earned her Bachelor’s Degree at U.C. Irvine, then her California Teaching Credential at Cal State Fullerton. Ms. Murphy is currently seeking a Master’s degree and Waldorf certification at Rudolf Steiner College.
Ms. Murphy used to say that she found Journey School and Waldorf Education, but now she knows for certain that they found her. She has a great story as to how this occurred, so if you see her on campus, ask her, she’ll be glad to share it with you. After teaching in the grades for many years, Ms. Murphy is very excited to be back in Kindergarten and looks forward to learning and growing with her beautiful class.
Jennifer Sternberg-Hopps
Journey School is thrilled to welcome Jennifer Hopps aboard as our 4th Kindergarten instructor! Ms. Jennifer was the valedictorian of her high school and is a Cum Laude graduate from the University of California, Santa Barbara—where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Biological Sciences. She also possesses a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with an English Learner authorization from UCSB.
Ms. Jennifer feels a very strong alignment with the school’s mission, philosophy, and goals and is immensely grateful for being drawn to the school and looks forward to many good years. Shortly after being selected for the position over dozens of other well-qualified applicants, she stated:
“I am thrilled to become a part of the Journey School family! It is truly inspiring to meet a dedicated and talented team of parents, teachers and staff who are succeeding in their vision to provide children with a wholesome, balanced, and nurturing learning experience which strengthens and develops the whole child: head, heart and hands. I am so looking forward to meeting the children and celebrating their unique potential as we learn and grow together!”
For the past two years, Ms. Hopps has taught for Saddleback Valley Unified School District’s Trabuco Field Study Program, leading nature studies for students in Kindergarten and the lower grades. By all accounts, Ms. Jennifer provides hands-on experiences and instruction to engage and inspire children towards a love of learning and an appreciation and reverence for nature. Examples of successful lessons she has delivered for the younger children included: life on the farm and farm animals, old-time family life and chores, making quilts to preserve a family’s heritage, lifecycles and observations of insects, butterflies and mealworms and soil, composting and earthworms. A large part of her teaching also included nature walks through O’Neil Regional Park teaching children about ecosystems, while observing native plants and animals.
Ms. Jennifer’s track record, references, interviews, and stellar teaching demonstration all show that she has exceptional leadership and classroom management capacities—partially due to her additional experience as an Adaptive Physical Education teacher and Behavior Specialist, she led children in movement activities and games to strengthen their bodies, minds and spirits. Ms. Jennifer is known for her skill at taking into account each child’s unique strengths, interests and learning styles, while engaging children in creative learning opportunities.
