Our People - Living Wisdom International

Janaka Keller

Janaka Keller is the current director of Living Wisdom International High School. Born in Chicago as the youngest of six siblings, he’s had a lifelong passion for education. Though he went to college to become a teacher, he quickly realized that the traditional system wasn’t what the world—or its young people—truly needed. He was seeking a more holistic, soul-centered approach.

After taking the Ananda Meditation Teacher Training in his late teens, Janaka discovered Education for Life and knew he had found his path. Since 2019, he has lived at Ananda Village in California, where he’s been working with the Living Wisdom Schools, teaching multiple classes, as well as advising several students. He loves witnessing students grow in creativity and confidence, and as the school’s new director, he’s committed to offering a dynamic and inspiring experience for every student. He is a certified Education for Life teacher as well as a Certified Project Manager.

Nitai Deranja, BA (Phi Beta Kappa), MA

Nitai is the former Director of Living Wisdom High School and has dedicated his life to the development of Education for Life (EFL). In 1972, he started the first EFL elementary school and in 1997 co-founded the first EFL high school. As president of EFL International, he oversees a network of ten schools in the U.S., Europe, and India. Nitai earned his BA from The University of California, Berkeley, and MA from The University of California, Davis. Nitai is the father of two adult children, both of whom attended Education for Life schools, and is the author of two books: For Goodness’ Sake: Supporting Children & Teens in Discovering Life’s Higher Values and The Art of Joyful Education.

Uma Keller

Hola, I’m Uma, and I’m a Spanish teacher and advisor!
I believe students learn best when they’re having fun, so I love to make my classes interactive, engaging, and full of energy.
As an advisor, I love guiding students to better understand themselves and grow into their potential—it’s one of the most rewarding parts of this job. I’m continually inspired by how our students flourish in the online school environment. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy practicing yoga, hiking, and spending time in nature.

Rachel Anderson, BS (Phi Beta Kappa), MA

Subject: Chinese. Rachel began studying Chinese at Ananda Living Wisdom School and continued through college. She was a Peace Corps volunteer in China for two years and currently teaches English in an international kindergarten and is enrolled in a Masters in Comparative and Public History at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Additionally, Rachel enjoys reading and writing fiction. She lives in Hong Kong.

David Kletter, BA

While both of my parents are Dutch, I was born and raised in the states very close to Yellowstone National Park. Having the freedom to explore the wilderness of south western Montana, the raw beauty there awakened within me a keen interest for expanding one’s awareness while in nature. I attended Montana State University where I pursued a directed interdisciplinary degree synthesizing art, nature connection, and consciousness studies. Seeking answers to life’s bigger questions then took me abroad where I began immersing myself in intentional community living, natural farming practice, and spiritual studies. It was through traveling that the idea of, “simple living with high thinking” began to make a lot of sense. The mystical and esoteric came increasingly to the fore of my attention as I moved into the Ananda Village ashram and lived a contemporary monastic life there for four years.

I now live in Switzerland, teaching Ecology and Mythology for the Living Wisdom International Online High School. Alongside teaching, I am also pursuing an MSc in Consciousness, Spirituality, and Transpersonal Psychology through the ALEF Trust of Liverpool John Moores University. I enjoy tending to the garden, preparing meals with friends, and taking young people into nature. Skiing and trekking together in the high mountains is also great, especially when followed by conversations over a warm cup of tea.

Valéria Ramb

My interest in engineering started at an early age, since my father works with mechanical engineering and I got to play with motor parts as a kid. As I grew older, I started drawing those pieces, and gradually moved on to designing entire cities with beautiful lakes and forests all around.

In my final years of school, I decided to pursue civil engineering, and everyone was surprised because I wasn’t good at math—although I loved physics. Through intense training in math, I achieved great results in calculus, discovered the magic of numbers, and became truly passionate about it.

I started dancing during college and even became a dance teacher for a while. It was a beautiful surprise to connect with Living Wisdom High School and be honored with the opportunity to teach mathematics—and also to be a co-teacher with Mr. Ganesha Kieran, from whom I draw endless inspiration.

I’m a Brazilian woman and entrepreneur, working in structural engineering, and I’m more than happy to be part of Living Wisdom High School.

Johannes Stoppe

I was raised in the hills of Northern Germany, playing in the fields and forests that surround our family home. I started out my education journey in a forest kindergarten, but then attended public schools for the rest of my school career. From an early age I became connected to the philosophy of Education for Life as my mother has been an EFL educator for the last 20 years. Now I am grateful to be working alongside her to help bring this approach to life.

I recently graduated with a Double-Major Bachelor in English and Chemistry from the University of Oldenburg and am now pursuing the Master of Education program at the same university. Besides studying full-time, I’ve spent a significant amount of time in the last few years in the intentional spiritual community Ananda Assisi in Italy, where I find deep inspiration and true friendship. I have become a facilitator and guide for youth-programs that take place each year at that community in the summer.

I have a deep passion for music. I sing in multiple choirs at a competitive level, play Viola and take Piano lessons. I value honesty, authenticity and love to connect with people. I am now more than happy to be part of the unique journey of bringing together people and worlds in this school.

Samreen Sadaat

I graduated from Living Wisdom High School and began my teaching journey at the age of 17. This is my third year teaching at the school, where I’ve had the joy of leading classes in World Religions and World History — two subjects that not only trace our shared human story, but help students make sense of the world they live in today.

I’m passionate about showing students how different subjects connect and shape the world around us. I believe education should prepare young people not just for exams, but for life, by encouraging curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

I’ve completed my teacher training through the Education for Life course, which has guided me in creating a more engaging and student-centered classroom.

I’m currently pursuing my higher education at the University of the People and have had the privilege of learning from experienced educators from around the world. Their mentorship has shaped my teaching style and fueled my desire to inspire young minds.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy researching psychology and creative writing. My poems and essays have been published in various magazines, and I am currently in the process of publishing my first book.

Ganesha John Kieran, BS

I graduated from California State University Sacramento in 1970 with a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering (lots of physics classes!). My engineering work was mostly with Caltrans and the U.S. Air Force in California and in Italy—about 30 years total. I passed a difficult exam and became registered in California as a Professional Engineer (PE) in 1986. And I worked as a commercial and residential electrician for about three years, too. I retired in 2009 and began teaching physics in Living Wisdom High School. I enjoy teaching high school physics. I have lots of relevant experience from years in engineering and I’ve collected and created some fun devices to demonstrate physics principles to students.

I’ve completed my teacher training through the Education for Life course, which has guided me in creating a more engaging and student-centered classroom.

Mirabai Deranja Commer, BA

Subjects: Non-Violent Communication, Personal Development. Mirabai attended the Ananda Village Living Wisdom School as a child, where she showed her affinity for the arts in singing and dancing. After graduating from University of California, Santa Cruz, with a degree in astronomy, she returned to the arts, becoming a dance teacher and competitive tango dancer. She is the winner of the USA Tango Championship Best Choreographer for group tango 3 years in a row. She and her husband and son live in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I’ve completed my teacher training through the Education for Life course, which has guided me in creating a more engaging and student-centered classroom.