faculty of river valley waldorf school on a stage

Faculty

Our talented faculty is committed to excellence in Waldorf education. With diverse and multifaceted educational and professional backgrounds, our versatile teachers continuously learn and grow, evolving alongside their students. This dedication to lifelong learning inspires and supports our students as they develop into capable and compassionate individuals.

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  • Specialty Subjects Faculty (8)
  • Grade School Faculty (8)
  • Early Childhood Faculty (7)
23 faculty members
  • Annette Smith

    Annette Smith

    she/her

    Early Childhood Lead Teacher

    “I fell in love with the Waldorf philosophy of learning and am excited to continue this adventure at River Valley Waldorf School—learning more each day so I can offer it to the children in my classroom.”

    “I fell in love with the Waldorf philosophy of learning and am excited to...

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  • Benjamin Rogers-Petro

    Benjamin Rogers-Petro

    Music Teacher, Games & Movement Teacher

    “I have nothing but fondness and deep appreciation for Waldorf education, and the friendships I made; life long bonds forged by common values. The hands-on, art-centric curriculum and the refuge from a technology-addled world is incredibly valuable to me, and I am grateful to have spent the formative years of my youth in such an environment. To me, Waldorf represents the preservation of innocence, creativity and natural beauty.”

    “I have nothing but fondness and deep appreciation for Waldorf education, and the friendships...

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  • Bridget Brier

    Bridget Brier

    she/her

    Grade 8 Class Teacher

    “I love this pedagogy’s richness and experiential-based methods, and I love that our students are comfortable in so many art forms. It’s a privilege to shepherd children through their childhood and watch them find their way.”

    “I love this pedagogy’s richness and experiential-based methods, and I love that our students...

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  • Cory Fischer-Hoffman

    Cory Fischer-Hoffman

    she/they ella/elle

    Spanish Language & Culture Teacher

    Quote from Cory coming soon.

    Quote from Cory coming soon.

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  • Danielle Kulp

    Danielle Kulp

    she/her

    Aftercare Teacher

    “Look into the child and see the divine spark that seeks to unfold.” — Rudolf Steiner

    “Look into the child and see the divine spark that seeks to unfold.” —...

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  • Eve Sheldon

    Eve Sheldon

    they/them

    Orchestra & Strings Teacher

    “I want to bring joy to the music department so kids feel ownership and happiness in making music.”

    “I want to bring joy to the music department so kids feel ownership and...

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  • Irene Richardson

    Irene Richardson

    she/her

    Gardening & Woodwork Teacher

    “I’m excited to help children steward the land while exploring art, song, story, and practical work in a Waldorf education that is both traditional and forward-thinking.”

    “I’m excited to help children steward the land while exploring art, song, story, and...

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  • Katlin Moore

    Katlin Moore

    Grade 1 Class Teacher

    “My passion for Waldorf education centers around the desire to take the whole child and their development as a human being into account, coupled with a reverence for the natural world and plenty of time outside every day.”

    “My passion for Waldorf education centers around the desire to take the whole child...

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  • Layla Plaza

    Layla Plaza

    she/her

    Early Childhood Support Teacher

    “I love how Waldorf schools educate the whole child and instill a lifelong love of learning.”

    “I love how Waldorf schools educate the whole child and instill a lifelong love...

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  • Melanie Niemczura

    Melanie Niemczura

    she/her

    Grades 6 & 7 Class Teacher

    “Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars.” ~ Max Ehrmann

    “Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than...

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  • Melody Birdsong-Shubert

    Melody Birdsong-Shubert

    she/her/hers

    Early Childhood Lead Teacher

    “What really matters in education are the mood and soul attitude that teachers carry in their hearts toward the human being.” - from Rudolf Steiner, Soul Economy

    “What really matters in education are the mood and soul attitude that teachers carry...

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  • Molly MacDonald

    Molly MacDonald

    she/her

    Grades 4 & 5 Class Teacher

    “I love how each teacher strives to meet the children in front of them. Each class and group of children has its own personality, energy, and needs, and the freedom that Waldorf Education gives us to meet that uniqueness is precious.”

    “I love how each teacher strives to meet the children in front of them....

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  • Molly Watson

    Molly Watson

    she/her

    Games & Movement Teacher, Grades Support Teacher, Care Team Coordinator

    “I love how Waldorf education looks at each student as an individual on their own unique journey.”

    “I love how Waldorf education looks at each student as an individual on their...

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  • Noemi Nieves-Hoblin

    Noemi Nieves-Hoblin

    Early Childhood Support Teacher

    “I love how Waldorf education nurtures wonder and imagination, fostering creativity, holistic learning, and a deep connection to nature. This approach has shaped my creative journey and continues to inspire how I view and engage with the world.”

    “I love how Waldorf education nurtures wonder and imagination, fostering creativity, holistic learning, and...

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  • Ray Petro

    Ray Petro

    she/they

    Grades 2 & 3 Class Teacher

    “I feel Waldorf education is the antidote to fear and helplessness in today’s world. It empowers children to believe in themselves, use their gifts, and face challenges with hope and creativity.”

    “I feel Waldorf education is the antidote to fear and helplessness in today’s world....

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  • Rheanon Beam

    Rheanon Beam

    she/her

    Aftercare Support Teacher, Grades Support Teacher

    “I strive to create a nurturing environment that supports the development of each child in mind, body, and spirit. I believe in the power of imagination and nature to guide children’s growth and encourage their sense of wonder.”

    “I strive to create a nurturing environment that supports the development of each child...

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  • Sara Sweningsen

    Sara Sweningsen

    Educational Support

    “I appreciate how Waldorf education weaves stories, art, song, crafting, and movement into teaching rich lessons, connecting children to nature and the rhythms of the seasons.”

    “I appreciate how Waldorf education weaves stories, art, song, crafting, and movement into teaching...

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  • Sarai Nieves

    Sarai Nieves

    she/her

    Early Childhood Lead Teacher

    “I love how Waldorf education values and nurtures creativity, imagination, and the spirit. It honors children and childhood, connects us to the earth, and encourages diversity and independence in learning. This is how we build a more equitable and compassionate world.”

    “I love how Waldorf education values and nurtures creativity, imagination, and the spirit. It...

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  • Shannon O’Connell

    Shannon O’Connell

    she/her

    Fine Arts Teacher, Early Childhood Support Teacher

    “I love the idea and practice of nurturing the individual spirit of each student. It is so important for children to be seen for who they are as individuals.”

    “I love the idea and practice of nurturing the individual spirit of each student....

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  • Sheena Ifkovitch

    Sheena Ifkovitch

    she/her

    Early Childhood Lead Teacher

    “I resonate with the school’s mission to ‘nurture the individual spirit of each child.’ In my work I see Waldorf education as a healing art—one that removes hindrances so that the child’s spirit may enter life in full freedom.”

    “I resonate with the school’s mission to ‘nurture the individual spirit of each child.’...

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  • Stacy Zink

    Stacy Zink

    she/her

    Handwork Teacher

    “The world needs to operate as a collective while still cherishing each person's uniqueness. By creating a learning environment that emulates this, we send children out into the world more capable of meeting its challenges.”

    “The world needs to operate as a collective while still cherishing each person’s uniqueness....

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  • Stephanie Kong

    Stephanie Kong

    Early Childhood Support Teacher

    “I connect deeply with the Waldorf philosophy of teaching the body, mind, and spirit of each child through nourishing, nurturing education. Children are natural explorers; as their guides, we help them learn through doing and growing joyfully in kinship with the earth.”

    “I connect deeply with the Waldorf philosophy of teaching the body, mind, and spirit...

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  • Tonya McGovern

    Tonya McGovern

    she/her

    Math Skills Teacher

    “I appreciate the vision to inspire freedom of thinking and strength of will inherent in Waldorf education. I’m eager to instill confidence and curiosity in the students at River Valley as they prepare for the challenges of high school and beyond.”

    “I appreciate the vision to inspire freedom of thinking and strength of will inherent...

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