TEACHERS
Meet Our Teachers
At IMCR, we have two regular teachers and also welcome guest teachers. Below, you’ll find information about our teachers:
- Marjolein Janssen – Guiding Teacher
- Carolyn Stachowski – IMCR Teacher
- Chan Britton – Guest Teacher
- Bruce Pardoe – Guest Teacher
Guiding Teacher
Marjolein Janssen
Marjolein (pronunciation “Mar-yo-line”) has been practicing insight meditation intensively in Europe, the US, as well as Myanmar, where she was ordained as a Buddhist nun.
Marjolein brings practice in daily life, as well as formal practice to
her teachings. She seeks to offer a practical approach to Buddhist
concepts and ideas. Her sharing of the Dharma comes from her wish to
contribute to the freedom and happiness of all beings.
She practices and teaches meditation in the insight tradition, also called vipassana. Her teachers are the Burmese monk Sayadaw U Tejaniya, as well as the Western teachers Andrea Fella, Susie Harrington and Gil Fronsdal.
Marjolein is a graduate of the Retreat Dharma Teacher Training with Gil Fronsdal and Andrea Fella, the Nature Retreat Teacher Training with Susie Harington, Gil Fronsdal and Mark Coleman, and the Hakomi Comprehensive Training. Additionally, she has a bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology and is a certified Buddhist Eco-Chaplai through Sati Center.
Besides teaching at IMCR, she also co-teaches the weekly online Tuesday sit at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. In addition, she started the Bright Dharma YouTube channel.
Marjolein is originally from the Netherlands. She now lives in Richmond, VA.
Dana (Donation)
If you would like to give Dana (a donation) to Marjolein, you may use the PayPal or Venmo link below. (What is Dana?)
Marjolein's Website and YouTube Channel
IMCR Teacher
Carolyn Stachowski
Carolyn has been practicing meditation with IMCW since 2006. She is in the foodservice business, and practices painting in oils and watercolors. In 2009, she helped to found Insight on the Inside, training volunteers to teach meditation to incarcerated people, people who have experienced homelessness, and has taught in substance abuse treatment, mental health, and reentry units, and young men 18 to 25.
She graduated from the Meditation Teacher Training Institute in 2013. In 2019 she took the Eight Lifetime Precepts with Bhante Gunaratana and is active in supporting a local Buddhist center, Dassanaya.
Carolyn teaches what the Buddha taught to the best of her understanding. In her classes, time is dedicated to dialogue with participants, with the emphasis on application of the teachings.
Dana (Donation)
If you would like to give Dana (a donation) to Carolyn, you may use the Venmo link below. (What is Dana?)
Carolyn's Website
Guest Teachers
Chantelle (Chan) Britton
Chan began practicing meditation in 2008 and has participated in numerous residential silent retreats in the U.S. and abroad. The practice has been a source of clarity and inspiration and her true passion is watching the practice unfold both on the cushion and in daily life. She is a registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance and certified to teach mindfulness meditation through the University of California’s Greater Good Science Center and the Mindfulness Meditation Teaching Certification Program – an offering from Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. She holds master degrees in public administration, policy, and nutrition. She works full-time in public health policy for the Federal government and her real job is mothering her young son, who also just happens to the best teacher she’s ever had.
Dana (Donation)
If you would like to give Dana (a donation) to Chan, you may use the PayPal or Venmo link below. (What is Dana?)
Bruce Pardoe
Bruce entered Insight practice in 2006 and began teaching for Mountain Stream Meditation Insight Center in 2009. A graduate of the 2 year Community Dharma Leader training of Spirit Rock and IMS, he has sat numerous 1 to 3-month long retreats at those centers plus many long solo retreats for a total of over 2 years in silence. Complementing his Insight practice, Bruce has traveled extensively in Asia exploring Advaita, Tibetan Buddhism and the Bhakti path of devotion. Bruce is also trained in Polyvagal Theory, Feldenkrais and Hakomi’s body-centered psychotherapy. Through his healing journey, he developed the Heart Fluency modality to help practitioners integrate trauma.
