Teachers
Teachers who have lived what they teach
An engineer teaching physics. A Peace Corps veteran teaching Chinese from Hong Kong. Our own graduates, now teaching the next class. With about eight students per teacher, every one of them knows your child.
Janaka Keller
Director · Certified Education for Life teacher
Teaches from Ananda Village, California
Went to college to become a teacher, then went looking for something more holistic and found Education for Life. Teaches, advises, and leads the school.
Nitai Deranja
Founder of the first EFL schools · President, EFL International
Teaches from California
Started the first Education for Life school in 1972 and co-founded the first EFL high school in 1997. Author of The Art of Joyful Education. BA Berkeley, MA UC Davis, Phi Beta Kappa.
Uma Keller
Spanish · Advisor
Teaches from California
Believes students learn best when they are having fun, and makes her classes interactive and full of energy.
Rachel Anderson
Chinese
Teaches from Hong Kong
Former Peace Corps volunteer in China, Phi Beta Kappa, master’s student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
David Kletter
Ecology · Mythology
Teaches from Switzerland
Grew up near Yellowstone, studied art, nature and consciousness, and now takes students into nature from the Swiss Alps.
Valéria Ramb
Mathematics
Teaches from Brazil
A structural engineer and entrepreneur who discovered a passion for math the hard way — and teaches it that way.
Ganesha John Kieran
Physics
Teaches from California
Licensed Professional Engineer with 30 years at Caltrans and the US Air Force, armed with homemade physics demonstrations.
Mahnoushsadat Moossavi
History · Geography
Teaches from Poland
The online school’s very first student. Now completing a master’s in International Relations at the University of Warsaw.
Johannes Stoppe
English · Chemistry
Teaches from Germany
Double-major in English and Chemistry, Master of Education student, competitive choir singer.
Samreen Sadaat
World Religions · World History
Teaches from Graduate of the school
A Living Wisdom graduate who began teaching at 17. Published poet and essayist, now in her third year teaching.
Mirabai Deranja Commer
Non-Violent Communication · Personal Development
Teaches from California
Astronomy graduate of UC Santa Cruz and three-time USA Tango Championship best choreographer.
Add Angali’s role and any teachers not listed on the current site
Meet the director
Every family talks with our director before applying — you and your child together, by video. It’s the best way to know whether we’re right for each other.
