
​Our Story​
The journey to creating Firefly Oasis began almost 20 years ago when I (Maria), along with several other families, formed a Waldorf inspired homeschooling cooperative in Suffolk County. This was a beautiful way for our children to experience Waldorf inspired education in their early years, though we all wished there was an actual school close to us. After my own children’s early childhood years, they attended The Waldorf School of Garden City. As they began their Waldorf journey, I too began mine! I immediately fell in love with the Early Childhood program, working first as an assistant in Parent Child classes, then in the Kindergarten, and eventually completing my Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Education training and becoming a Lead Mixed-Aged Kindergarten Teacher. Now, almost 2 decades later, I have found myself with the opportunity to bring to fruition what I had wished for all those years ago - holistic family and children's programs in my own town!
The name ‘Firefly Oasis’ came out of my own precious memories of growing up on Long Island. Though they might have signaled that it was time to go back inside after playing outside all day, seeing bright fireflies illuminate my backyard on warm summer evenings was nothing short of magical! I was filled with awe and loved being able to catch them in my hands, then carefully watch them until they spread their wings and flew away, shining in the dusk of night. I sometimes wondered how they lit up like that, but mostly I just accepted that this was their job - to spread light! To this day, I’d rather not know the scientific reasons behind their magic… It is my hope that Firefly Oasis will offer a place for the light and wonder of childhood to be protected, shared, and honored for the magic that it is!
​​
"Receive the children in reverence, educate them in love, send them forth in freedom." ~Rudolf Steiner
Maria Kata is the proud Founder/Director/Teacher of Firefly Oasis! She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Spanish Education from Syracuse University and her Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Queens College. For several years, she taught Spanish and ESL at Lindenhurst Middle School as well as to language learners of all ages at learning centers in Queens and San Francisco. After her children were born, she became a childbirth educator, doula, and prenatal yoga instructor. Maria joined the Early Childhood faculty at The Waldorf School of Garden City in 2008. She graduated from Sunbridge Institute in 2014 as a Waldorf Early Childhood Educator and was a Lead Kindergarten Teacher in Garden City until 2023. She continues to assist in their First Grade Assessment process.
​
Maria is passionate about bringing a holistic educational approach to families in Suffolk County!