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Early Childhood

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ATHLETICS & Circus Arts

Professional Staff

- Sarah Gillis, SMWS Class of 2012 and Sr. Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX

“I feel like one of the really important things that you get out of a Waldorf education is curiosity—curiosity to go and learn and explore what’s out there in the world. I fell into engineering and a path that I don’t think I would have anticipated, but having an arts background where you’re bringing creativity and imagination into problem-solving, there’s a really incredible synergy between those.”

- Sarah Gillis, SMWS Class of 2012 and Sr. Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX

Shining Mountain Boulder Waldorf High School Open House | Oct. 16 6:00 PM
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Mónica Maldonado

Choir Teacher

At age five, Mónica started piano lessons and fell in love with music. In 2014, Mónica received their Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the School of Music at The Master’s University. During their time at university, they participated in various ensembles and choirs, including the Women’s Chamber Choir as the accompanist and choir member. These experiences and watching the passion of their mentors are what inspired Mónica to teach music.

Mónica has been teaching music for 15 years, with an additional year of student teaching in a public school setting as a student-teacher. This helped Mónica achieve a firm grasp on the art of teaching music in the 1-on-1, small group, and classroom settings.

In addition to teaching, they also enjoy painting, playing with their Bengal cats, and writing and performing as a bassist throughout Colorado with their music groups. Mónica’s greatest desire as a music educator is that each of their students develop a deep appreciation for music, as well as enjoy the music they create and perform. 

Uriah Beauchamp

Gardening Teacher

Uriah Beauchamp is an educator, outdoor guide and forager with over a decade of experience teaching and guiding in various settings in Colorado and beyond. He is passionate about teaching real world skills in the great outdoors.

Uriah earned degrees in Humanities and Spanish from CU Boulder, and has been teaching everything from foraging and survival skills to mountain biking to organic farming and Permaculture in Colorado in the years since graduating. His interests include ecology, mycology, foraging, herbal medicine, survival skills and bushcraft, plant identification, botany, bikes, and of course permaculture and organic farming and sustainable community-based agriculture.

One of Uriah’s main goals is to share the wonder of plants and the natural world with as many people as possible.

Eden Shaw
Early Childhood and Rainbow Garden Assistant

Growing up on the picturesque Big Island of Hawaii, Eden Shaw’s early years were filled with natural beauty and rich cultural experiences. In 2013, she moved to the Pacific Northwest, and by 2020, she settled in Colorado.

Eden’s passion for early childhood education was kindled through her experience as a nanny, which allowed her to witness firsthand the profound impact of nurturing environments on young minds. Her connection to Waldorf education is deeply personal; many of her friends and family have been influenced by its principles, and she has observed the thread of kindness, compassion, and self-awareness that Waldorf education weaves into their lives.

A music lover, Eden has been singing and playing guitar for over 20 years and enjoys sharing this passion with her friends and family. She cherishes quality time with her husband, Ian Shaw, an SMWS alum class of 2004, and their beloved cat, Jasper.

Ariana Papousek

Circus Arts Director

A true ringleader at heart, Ariana has been leading and directing circus productions for over 10 years. By blending circus arts with story-telling, Ariana has created original works, as well as adapted classic stories into full length productions.

From youth programs to touring with her adult troupe, Ariana has brought to life many stages and empowered hundreds of talented artists by helping them find their characters within different show concepts. When you see Ariana on the stage you will likely see her performing on unique invented aerial apparatuses, standing on someone’s shoulders, or dancing with flames.

Ariana is over the moon excited to be back at Shining Mountain for her 5th year as circus director for our program. 

Kate Alagna

Educational Support Teacher

Kate Alagna received her BA in English Literature in 1998, and went on to receive her teaching credential as well as a Masters Degree in Literacy Instruction in the Beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains. She worked at Prosser Creek Charter School in Truckee, CA,
teaching first, second, and third grades. After moving to Telluride, CO in 2007, Kate was
hired at Telluride Elementary and took on roles as Classroom Teacher, Interventionist,
Enrichment/GT Teacher, and Technology Teacher.                                                        
After 12 years of teaching in Telluride, she and her family relocated to Boulder. She
then taught in BVSD teaching 1st, 2nd, and 5th. After feeling as though she could make
a deeper impact with fewer students, she launched Fireflies Learning Studio. After
initially assuming she would simply tutor, she realized that was only a small part of
fostering successful students. She believes in making a difference by continuing to
connect and support students to become their best selves. Her Big Dream is to open an
Educational Collective, a place where student support, in all forms, can live and grow
under one roof and is accessible and affordable to all.                                                        
In her free time, Kate spends time with her family and her naughty puppy! She loves
writing, reading, running, hiking, biking, cooking, eating, and watching “boring
documentaries” (according to her three teenagers). She does not love doing laundry.

Kate Blassl

Events Coordinator

Kate Blassl brings her strong academic background and passion for education to Shining Mountain Waldorf School events. She holds a BA in Yoga Studies and Psychology, an MA in Psychology, and is currently pursuing a PhD. Her deep connection to Waldorf education is reflected in her son, who is now a freshman at Shining Mountain and has been a part of Waldorf schooling his entire life.

Kate is dedicated to creating beauty and building community and is eager to contribute to the school’s mission. She wholeheartedly believes in the transformative power of Waldorf education and is excited to bring her energy, creativity, and vision to her role. She aims to foster a sense of abundance and togetherness within the Shining Mountain community.

Abby Haughness

Middle School Assistant Girls Basketball Coach

Abby Haughness grew up in New England. She played basketball for 4 years at the collegiate level, helping her team win a conference championship and move forward into the NCAA tournament in her junior year. She graduated with a master’s degree in physical therapy and while working in this new field also started coaching for her hometown’s middle school girl’s basketball team. This team took home a championship in the biggest tournament in the region,
her first year coaching. During the summertime, she co-coached girls’ high school AAU basketball for several years.

After moving to Colorado, she completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and began coaching in the adult running and multisport world. After taking some time off of coaching to raise her child while also running her own physical therapy business, she has decided to return to coaching again and is excited to share her love of basketball with others. She knows that her involvement in sports helped shape how she lives her life as an adult. Abby’s coaching strongly focuses on having fun, team camaraderie, working hard, and that mistakes are OK and will happen when challenging one’s self. Abby is truly grateful for the positive experiences she has
had in athletics and looks forward to sharing her passion for sports with the athletes and community of SMWS.

Deirdre Dalton Webb

Campus Operations Director

Deirdre Dalton Webb, a native of the Bay Area in California, has lived in Boulder since 2000. She holds an MBA from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and her professional journey is a testament to her diverse skills and experiences. Since 1996, she has been an entrepreneur specializing in business and career coaching. Deirdre’s work combines individual coaching of all ages with property and event management. She also owns and operates a wedding events venue on a picturesque vineyard.

Deirdre’s dedication to community is a significant part of her life, as evidenced by her past leadership roles. She served on the Twin Peaks parent-teacher organization board before joining Shining Mountain. Her three years of experience working with parents, teachers, and staff members, organizing school community events and fundraisers, are a clear testament to her commitment to community involvement. 

Deirdre loves to mountain bike, salsa dance, paddle board, camp, ski, cook, and spend time with her kids, Drake, Giselle, and Grace.

Jen McMurtrey

Blue Bell Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Jen McMurtrey grew up in the piney woods of Texas in a small town north of Houston. Her childhood was spent riding bikes, playing in creeks, camping at the lake, and reading. Jen studied history and education at the University of Houston, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts. Jen taught middle school, then moved down to elementary, and then moved down again to early childhood before realizing it was where she wanted to focus her teaching career.

Jen has over a decade of experience in education, including several years as a lead and an assistant teacher in early childhood.  She completed her Foundational Studies in Waldorf Education through the Center for Anthroposophy earlier this year and began her Waldorf Early Childhood certification training this summer at Sunbridge Institute in New York.

Ms. Jen loved playing house and school, so it’s no surprise that she found herself led to Waldorf kindergarten. Her happy place is a classroom filled with children busy at play while their hands are engaged in practical activities like chopping vegetables for soup, baking bread, or knitting toys.

Jen lives in Longmont with her husband of 20 years, Adam, and daughters, Kate and Jill, who are rising 4th graders at Shining Mountain. She enjoys hiking, camping, puzzling, reading, and making almost anything she can with her hands.

Christie Acton

Middle School Assistant Volleyball Coach

Christie Acton is thrilled to expand her role at SMWS by supporting our growing athletics department as assistant coach to alum, Jasmine Brown, and our middle school volleyball team! Youth sports have always been an important part of Christie’s life. She learned to play volleyball in middle school, developed through high school, and continues to play today in sand volleyball leagues. Her goal is to help our SMWS team develop a love for the game and practice key character-building moments that surface in youth sports, including teamwork, perseverance, respect, self-confidence, communication, and more. Go Lions!

Brigid Baker

Middle School Theater Teacher

Brigid Baker began her work with children at a young age, coaching, nannying, and working in enrichment programs. With a drive to help youth, she received a double major in Psychology and Human Development with a focus on clinical pediatric work.
After completing this undergraduate degree at Eckerd College, she began work at a Waldorf School in Florida. Brigid worked for two years as the physical education teacher and assisted in classes one through eight. Her passion for Waldorf education led her to pursue a Master’s Degree at the Freie Hochschule Stuttgart. This historic location of the first Waldorf school is the home of the international program that allowed Brigid to study with teachers from around the world.
Now, Brigid is excited to rejoin the Shining Mountain community after her internship with our school last year. 
Nicholas Raabe

Middle School Volleyball Head Coach

As a Shining Mountain alum, I had a strong affinity with the arts and athletics and had the privilege to participate in a strong and successful sports culture.

After high school, I lived in Taiwan for six years, where I received my business degree and played collegiate volleyball. When I returned to Boulder, I earned my master’s degree and began my career in architecture. I now play volleyball at a high level recreationally.

As an alum parent at Shining Mountain, I have come full circle back to my childhood playground.  I am excited to share my love for volleyball and, more importantly, to invite the community to come together to experience the joy of this sport. 

Victor Mestas

 Accompanist

Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Victor has been a professional musician since he was 17 years old. A well-renowned musician in Venezuela, he also spent much of his career playing internationally, living in Aruba and Spain and working on cruise ships, traveling everywhere, from Alaska to Istanbul.

Victor moved to Boulder in 2012 with his wife and two daughters and has been leading Latin Jazz ensembles at the University of Colorado – Boulder since 2016, and more recently, teaching Jazz Piano and conducting the Thompson Jazz Latin Jazz Big Band. He is active in the World/Jazz/Brazilian/Salsa music scene.

When he’s not playing piano, Victor enjoys gardening, collecting records and keyboards, watching baseball, and playing with Teo, his Blue Heeler.

Nina Dryer

Cello & Bass Teacher

Nina Dryer grew up in a large musical family and began her musical training on viola and piano at age nine. Joining the Cincinnati Youth Symphony Orchestra was a formative experience, introducing her to music from around the world and sparking her interest in listening to and learning how to play many genres of music, particularly Celtic, folk, and bluegrass. Though she initially did not enter the teaching profession, she continued to play violin and viola, both socially and professionally, gradually realizing that whenever she performed, she was most engaged by the reactions of the youngest audience members.

Then, in 2000, she started studying cello with a phenomenal teacher and became so deeply immersed in what and how she was learning that she was inspired to take on more private students. This ultimately led her to return to school for her K-12 Music Teacher Certification, with cello as her primary instrument.  As a teacher, one of her favorite things is the expression on a student’s face the first time he or she successfully draws the bow across the strings. She gets very excited when a student can achieve a goal or master a new skill and loves being present when they finally ” get” a concept or skill they have been working on. 

As a cellist, she has performed with the Greater Newburgh Symphony, the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra, the Jimmy Sturr Polka Band, and in many theatre productions. After teaching elementary strings for 14 years in Greenwich Public Schools, she recently relocated to Colorado to be near her son and his family and enjoy this state’s rich beauty.

 
Bridget Law

Violin & Viola Teacher

Bridget Law is a fifth-generation Colorado Native who has always lived on the front range. It was at the Denver Waldorf School in the third grade when she was introduced to the violin. The connection to this instrument led to years of fiddle competitions, studying Jazz in college, traveling to Scotland to learn Celtic music, and following the Bluegrass scene in Boulder County. Her style on the violin is unique and graceful; she plays with her soul, and every tune is a dance.

Bridget’s most notable work is nearly two decades with Elephant Revival and a band with her husband, “TIERRO Band with Bridget Law.’ Their music pairs scales from around the world with sweet harmonies, diverse instrumentation, and trance melodies to create a unique dance experience. She has always loved playing with many different artists, especially spontaneously. She loves to weave her violin melodies into their work, lifting the music to another level.

Since Bridget was young, she has loved to teach and continues to help students of all ages learn how to play the violin. She is also fascinated by the music business and is always developing her skills. Helping others to succeed in the world of bringing music to the people is a calling for her. In the quiet moments, she writes songs, often lullabies in quality, for she shares her most vulnerable spaces to create these sweet poetic expressions. Music brings purpose to her life and has led her on great adventures. She is dedicated to living mindfully and sharing that space with others. Music is a vessel for that intention.

Manisha Bano

High School Science Teacher

Manisha Bano has a Master’s degree in Biosciences along with an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Bioinformatics from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi India. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Amity University, India.

Manisha has worked with Kaushalya World School, Greater Noida, India for 7 years as a High School Biology Teacher, and during her tenure, she was promoted to Sr. Headmistress. She has over eleven years of experience teaching Biotechnology to undergraduate students at the Bioengineering Research Centre, in India. She is passionate about teaching young minds about the wonders of Biological Science and believes in teaching a learning approach that is differential and student-centric.

Manisha relocated from India with her husband and 12-year-old son to Denver Colorado in September 2022. She loves to accompany her son along with her husband to his scouting activities. Manisha is enthusiastic about being part of the Shining Mountain Waldorf Community.

Rachel Haynes

Rainbow Garden Lead Teacher

Rachel comes from a family of teachers and knew she wanted to be one at an early age. A life-long educator, Racel is passionate about early childhood and Waldorf philosophy. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a BA in Social Sciences and a double minor in Multicultural Anthropology and Psychology. She then went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and her Colorado Teaching License. Upon graduating, she embarked on a 12-year career that included teaching in public and private schools in Boulder County until she had her daughter, Sophia, and found Waldorf education through a parent/child class. This was a destiny moment that changed the trajectory of her life. She began studying Rudolf Steiner and taking Lifeways classes and opened a Waldorf-inspired preschool out of her home. Now that her daughter is starting 1st grade, she’s delighted to have the opportunity to join the Shining Mountain community. Rachel lives in Longmont with Sophia and their 4 chickens and can be found reading, biking, hiking, camping and collecting chicken eggs.
Caitlin Hochwald

Blue Bell Early Childhood Assistant

Caitlin Hochwald is a graduate of Naropa University with a degree in Environmental Studies and a year of post-grad experience in school-age environmental education and teaching at an outdoor nature preschool.

Informed by her deep love for children, the natural, and the whimsical, Caitlin was drawn toward Waldorf education. Her ongoing intention is to facilitate an environment where the child is free, open, safe, and secure to feel their heart, understand their emotions, and recognize their born kinship as a member of the larger, living world. As a hobby storyteller and mixed media artist, she cannot wait to tap into the wellspring of imaginative magic and creativity that a Waldorf education uplifts and emphasizes.

In Caitlin’s free time, you can find her identifying local flora and fauna, hugging and hanging from trees, swimming in the creek, writing poetry, or playing the banjo.

Monica Maldonado

Grade 1 & Grade 6 Assistant

Monica Maldonado began their professional teaching career in 2014 after receiving a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The Master’s University School of Music. Monica has experience in teaching music and art in one-on-one, small group, and public school settings, as well as one year of teaching music, art, and history in the elementary school setting as a student-teacher. Thanks to their teaching experiences, Monica strongly believes that every child can become a musician and artist and that all learners deserve a well-planned, differentiated arts education. They are very excited to be working at Shining Mountain and supporting their class in any way they can. Monica is also passionate about traveling, performing shows with their band and creating abstract mixed media artwork.

Ashley Wiley
Registrar

Ashley grew up in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, Illinois and has traveled to many different places all over the world including: Mexico, Portugal, France, UK, Morocco, Spain, and the British Overseas territory of Gibraltar. In 2014, after studying and living abroad for two years in Granada, Spain, she moved back to the city of Chicago where she met her husband Tom. She first learned about Waldorf education from Tom as he attended the Chicago Waldorf School from PreK-8th grade. In an effort to learn more about this education, she attended a CWS holiday fair where she was immediately inspired, and in 2015 started Waldorf Teacher Training in Chicago. Ashley is a Fiber Artist and has been perfecting her craft since she started to crochet at 7 years old, so when learning that the Waldorf curriculum included crochet, she was hooked! Ashley brings over 7 years of teaching experience including a year as an Early Childhood and Handwork Assistant at CWS, as well as 4 years of administrative experience at CWS working as their High School Office Manager and Registrar & Database Manager. She is very excited to join SMWS and is grateful to take on this new position remotely as Registrar.

Katie Ewig

Class Teacher Grade 8

Katie Ewig is an experienced middle school teacher who has developed her practice with an interest in creative curriculum solutions and on project-based learning. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Colorado, Denver.

Through her years of teaching at Flagstaff Academy in Longmont and Meadowlark School in Erie, Katie taught a variety of subjects, including math (Connected Mathematics Project 3), literacy, passion projects, science, and social studies. She led extracurricular activities such as the cross-country running, the National Junior Honor Society, and the Geography Bee. Katie is excited to embrace Waldorf principles and integrate them into her teaching philosophy. 

Outside the classroom, Katie enjoys hiking in the Rocky Mountains, immersing herself in a good book, carving through fresh powder on her snowboard, and spending quality time with her dog and teenage son.

Mike Terborg

Athletic & Auxiliary Programming Director

Mike Terborg first served as the SMWS Athletic Program Director from 2006 to 2010 while also coaching the High School Boys Basketball Team. In 2010, Mike moved to Seattle with his wife where he began his career as a Strength Coach and Injury Rehabilitation Specialist, and since 2018, has also been writing educational content for health, fitness, and wellness companies. During his time at Shining Mountain, Mike led an athletic program that fostered a healthy balance of physical, social, emotional, and psychological development. During his first tenure, Mike also served as the 5280 League President for two years, was three-time 5280 League Coach of the Year, and received recognition from the Positive Coaching Alliance for his dedication to teaching life lessons through participation in school sports. While program director, SMWS was also awarded the 5280 League Sportsmanship Award for the 2009-2010 school year. Mike has a B.A. in Global Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He lives in Gunbarrel with his wife and three children. 

Alanna Marks

Admissions Director

Alanna grew up in California, then moved to Boulder nine years ago with her husband and daughter Odette. In Los Angeles, she worked as a literary agent and as a moderator for market research companies. She then traveled and taught ESL before completing a Master’s degree in Linguistics. When she moved to Boulder, Alanna worked as the Lower School Office Manager at Shining Mountain Waldorf School for five years, where she formed strong bonds with the community and her daughter attended school. She then took a position at Naropa University as a Graduate Admissions Counselor.

During the pandemic, Alanna helped Jamie York and Tom Altgelt launch The Front Range Anthroposophical Café, an online speaker series which provides a forum for discussion on topics related to Anthroposophy and Waldorf Education. The program has grown to over 1,500 members and has featured more than 90 guest speakers. Being a part of this initiative deepened her knowledge of Anthroposophy and Waldorf Education by engaging with the community on a consistent basis.

Alanna is thrilled to return to Shining Mountain in the role of Admissions Director and looks forward to introducing new families to Waldorf education and to the community she loves.

Christie Acton

Marketing Manager

Christie earned a bachelor’s degree in Media and Communications from the University of San Diego in 2000. She went on to be a media planner at several recognized advertising agencies in Southern California. Her experience as an ad professional grew from work on brands such as DIRECTV, Expedia, Hilton Hotels, and American Honda Automotive. In this time Christie was responsible for managing advertising campaigns across all media, including television, print, radio, outdoor, and online. Christie then shifted her career in 2010 to focus on sales and account management for Citysearch and then later LivingSocial, which increased her knowledge of digital platforms. Christie is now excited to support SMWS in the role of Marketing Director. She discovered the benefits of Waldorf education first-hand for her son at the Austin Waldorf School starting in kindergarten and now at SMWS in the grades.

Taliza Mizrahi

High School and Middle School Counselor

Taliza Mizrahi holds an MA, LPCC in Somatic Counseling Psychology and specializes in serving Tweens, Teens, and Young Adults through a combination of Creative Arts Therapies, Group Work, and Youth and Young Adult Mentoring. Taliza has been working with SMWS students and families as a mentor, dance teacher/youth empowerment facilitator, and therapist since 2006, and has formally been working as the middle and high school counselor since 2016. Over the course of her career, Taliza has served in a variety of settings from on-campus mental health counselor for undergraduate and graduate students at Naropa University, Family Therapist and Behavior Coach for high-risk youth and families, Surfing the Creative International Rites of Passage Youth Leadership Director and Lead Therapist, Hip Hop dance teacher and youth empowerment facilitator, youth/young adult mentor through her Buddhist community, and as a private therapist, mentor and case manager for youth from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. As a child of an immigrant, Taliza grew up with a different language and culture in her home and has personally navigated a life of straddling cultures and grappling with a multicultural identity. She enjoys working with youth from all over the world, with multicultural backgrounds and with blended cultural families. Taliza grew up in the Washington, DC area. She studied at CU-Boulder, Naropa University and is a graduate of Soka University in Southern California. When she is not at the school, Taliza is dancing as much as she possibly can, enjoying live music and natural waters of any kind,  laughing at every opportunity, snowboarding, camping, and adventuring with her husband and 3 small, busy, and hilarious little boys, usually outside somewhere beautiful! 

Enrique Olivares

Facilities and Grounds Assistant

Enrique is a California native born in San Diego. He is married and has two boys ages 12 and 19. Enrique moved to Colorado in 2017 and enjoys the mountains and nature. Hiking has become one of his favorite activities, as well as fishing—no success so far, but it’s a peaceful pastime to be with my family. Even just a simple picnic on the weekends is meaningful to Enrique. He has been working in maintenance at different locations and is now very grateful to be here at Shining Mountain Waldorf School.

Simon Daum

Accompanist

Simon Daum grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, where he developed a love for music, theatre, photography, language, and nature. He attended college in Virginia, earning his Bachelor of Music in Music Education (Choral/General Emphasis) from Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University before returning to the Philadelphia area to teach.

Inspired by several mountain trips, he moved to Boulder in 2018 and joined the Parlando School of Musical Arts faculty. He has enjoyed music directing numerous theatrical productions, teaching private voice and piano lessons, and singing with Elus Vocal Ensemble in Denver. When not making music, Simon can be found hiking, bouldering, on Duolingo, or eating a delicious pastry.

Megan Corcoran
Games/PE Teacher Grades 1-8

In addition to teaching part-time Games & Movement in the lower grades at Shining Mountain Waldorf School, Megan is the founding director of Re-Embody Somatics, a health and wellness business that supports emotional empowerment following traumatic stress and anxiety. Megan earned her dual master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and Dance/Movement Therapy in 2007, from Antioch University in New Hampshire. During that same time, she studied Waldorf Movement Education at the Spacial Dynamics Institute in upstate New York. Additionally, Megan is a Somatic Experiencing Trauma Practitioner and a certified Health and Wellness Coach. From 2007-2021, Megan was the first through eighth grade Games and Movement Teacher at Prairie Moon Waldorf School in Lawrence, Kansas. In the summer of 2021, she and her family delightfully moved to Boulder, CO to join the wonderful school community at Shining Mountain! Megan enjoys time with her family and friends: swimming, hiking, hiking, soaking in the hot springs and dancing!

Jill Ryerson

Middle School and High School Math Teacher

Jill grew up in the heart of Washington, D.C., a few blocks from the Capitol. By the end of high school, a few special teachers had sparked her interest in math and art, which eventually became passions that wove their way throughout her adult life.

After graduating from Brown University with a B.A. in Mathematics and Visual Art, Jill moved to Colorado in 2001 to teach math. Since then, she has immersed herself in education by teaching in private and charter schools, working as a tutor, a teacher mentor, and a homeschool educator.

In 2009, Jill earned a master’s degree in secondary math curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado. This work further fueled her passion for developing creative lessons that foster authentic learning. Waldorf education entered Jill’s world when she enrolled in parent-child classes at Shining Mountain in 2013. She is inspired by the principles and practices of Waldorf education and is grateful that her teaching journey has led her to be a part of the Shining Mountain staff.

Mary Alice Daniel

Rainbow Garden Teacher

Mary Alice grew up on a beautiful farm in the blue, slow rolling hills of the Virginia Piedmont. Her childhood memory stew is steeped in moss, turtle shell, horse mane, and pond water. She is drawn to the Waldorf world because of her reverence for nature, story, magic, and beauty. Mary Alice has lived in Boulder for over 25 years. She is a graduate of both Naropa University and the University of Colorado. At Naropa, she studied Painting and Environmental Ethics. At the University of Colorado/Denver, she acquired a Master of Landscape Architecture. Mary Alice worked for the city of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks as their Sign & Graphics Specialist for many years. She also completed Early Childhood Montessori training at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. She is passionate about protecting the beautiful world of childhood. Mary Alice loves a few things (in no particular order): making art, Watercolors/ Encaustic /Mixed-Media, teaching piano to children, running, salt water, plane tickets, and rescuing Chihuahuas! Most importantly, Mary Alice is the proud parent of Margaux, a sparkling, fun-loving teenager currently attending high school.

Alex Hardesty

Class Teacher Grade 7

Alex Hardesty was born and raised in Boise, Idaho, where he spent his time exploring the beautiful Idaho wilderness and playing music. He completed his undergraduate degree in Double Bass Performance at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and moved to Denver in 2018 to study architecture at the University of Colorado Denver.

Alex joined the Shining Mountain Community in 2021 as the cello and bass teacher and graduated with his Master’s degree the following year. Throughout his life, Alex has worked a variety of different jobs and has always found his way back to teaching. He is thrilled to be a part of the Waldorf community to guide each individual child in discovering the well of knowledge the world has to offer, and the unique gifts that he, she, or they contribute.

Alex is an artist at heart, a lifelong learner, and an optimist. While not teaching, he loves exploring the Colorado trails, climbing, writing poetry, picking up new hobbies, and sharing good meals and music with his family and friends.

Michelle Ryan

Rainbow Garden Teacher & Aftercare Lead

Michelle Ryan is a mother, grandmother, and retired public school teacher with a Master of Arts degree in Multicultural and Social Diversity Education from CU Boulder, specializing in Special Education and English as a Second Language. Michelle has thirty years of experience volunteering on the boards of three humanitarian organizations.

In the last nine years, she has tended to her grandchildren’s care while her parents worked. During this time, she wrote a book called Helping Children Grieve Through Sacred Actions and Images. She has also taught other adults how to be available to children by tending to their own emotional equilibriums, presence, and special skills to help children process feelings and feel safe.

Michelle lives with her husband, a beekeeper, on a farm in Boulder County. She tends to her family and farm animals while enjoying reading, knitting, and crafting. Michelle is honored to spend her afternoons at Shining Mountain Waldorf School, where the social-emotional well-being of children is a priority.

Molly Mackinnon

High School Humanities Teacher

Molly Mackinnon’s journey comes full circle, back to her roots in Boulder. Growing up here from the early 70s onward, she was raised in the bohemian years of Boulder, with her mother and three sisters. After graduating from University of Colorado with a BA in Anthropology, she turned southward to New Mexico to study Neanderthal evolution at the University of New Mexico.  After moving to Kansas with her two children, she completed two Masters, one in Polish literature and another MSEd at the University of Kansas. There she met her husband of 21 years, Jason, and they have two boys.

In 2012, Molly began teaching at Prairie Moon Waldorf School in Lawrence, Kansas, where she stayed for seven years before moving with her family to Santa Fe in 2019 to teach at the Santa Fe Waldorf School. Now, ready to complete her circumnavigation of the Colorado Plateau and environs, Molly is thrilled to continue her career at Shining Mountain Waldorf High School as the humanities teacher.

Kerry Kent

Educational Support Coordinator

Kerry Kent’s educational journey has centered on identifying the factors that drive each individual to thrive. Kerry is originally from a suburb of Chicago. She earned her BA in Education from Naropa University and her MA in Learning, Developmental, and Family Sciences from the University of Colorado Denver. She holds a Director Qualification and Teacher’s License. For over a decade, she has been working with children of all ages and abilities. Her passion for working with children stems from their genuineness, curiosity, and their remarkable capacity for love, comprehension, and creativity. Kerry spent many years as an early childhood teacher and assistant director.

Kerry strongly believes if we provide young children the skills they require while meeting their needs, they will be set up for happy, fulfilling, and successful futures. Guided by an enthusiasm for brain development, she sees it as a compass to assist each educational journey. Through evidence-based and culturally sensitive interventions, Kerry aims to guide educators, administrators, and families in creating enriching environments and responsive relationships.

Kerry is grateful to be at SMWS and part of the community. Kerry enjoys music, photography, tending to her garden, being outside in nature, and pursuing fun-filled experiences to the fullest extent!

Angie Parham
Middle School Specialist in Humanities

Grateful to all of the teachers who cultivated her love of literature and appreciation for language, Angie hopes to foster that same enthusiasm for language arts in her students. She takes great pride and pleasure in guiding Shining Mountain’s future authors, scribes, translators, journalists, essayists, correspondents, dramatists, editors, and poets. Angie brings over 25 years of teaching experience in English and German to the classroom. In addition to Shining Mountain, she has taught at River Song Waldorf School, University of Colorado, Fairview High School, and Boulder High School. Angie has studied Waldorf education at the Center for Anthroposophy in New Hampshire and holds a BA in German and English, an MA in German, and an MA in Secondary English Education.

Page Zekonis

High School Art Teacher

Originally from Washington, DC, Page Zekonis grew up in a family that encouraged her to love art and nature. In high school, she discovered photography—using her uncle’s old twin-lens reflex camera—and began her lifelong journey in the visual arts. Page holds a BFA in photography from Rochester Institute of Technology and an MFA in painting/mixed media from Maryland Institute of Art. She also has an MA in counseling psychology with an emphasis on art therapy.

When Page moved with her family to Boulder in 2000, she had no idea that teaching would grow into a passion as strong for her as making art. She founded Open Window Studio in 2005 to teach art and creative thinking to adults, youth, and children. Over the years, she has become especially interested in working with middle and high school students. She has developed an art program specifically for this age group, which includes classes, open studio time, and art excursions to Washington, DC/Baltimore, and Santa Fe, NM.

For Page, teaching is about helping students feel the excitement of possibility, helping them follow through on that first spark of an idea, and letting their unique voice take form through painting, drawing, mixed media, or whatever material speaks to them. When she is not in the studio or with her family, she is riding her sweet horse, Roo. 

Zephyr McConnell

Something

Zephyr moved to Boulder to attend Naropa University in 2011 and graduated with a degree in Contemplative Psychology and Eastern Arts. Before that time she had a career with the National Park Service as a firefighter, backcountry trail worker, volunteer coordinator, and llama packer. She worked in Yosemite, Grand Teton, Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, King’s Canyon, Redwood State Park and in the winters did two tours in Antarctica as a carpenter. Zephyr has also studied architecture and is passionate about working with her hands in many creative capacities and in bringing joy and playfulness into all of her pursuits. Even when living out of a backpack she always managed to have some kind of costume available. Currently she lives in Longmont on a small tree farm with her partner, their many furry and feathered companions, and an extensive workshop and costume collection.

Ryan Langendorf

High School Science Teacher

Ryan Langendorf’s dream is to help people answer questions. And then ask better questions! Mostly, he uses computers in his own quest for answers, working to build tools that explain mysterious observations and are intuitive for other people to apply to their own mysteries.

The first great mystery Ryan fell in love with was all the other kinds of life in the world. How have we all lived together on Earth for so long? This led him into ecology, and more literally into the field, and long, beautiful days setting up experiments and collecting data all around the world. Ecology also led Ryan back to school and to CU to learn how to use a love of computers to take advantage of all the data we now find ourselves swimming in. Really, what Ryan is chasing are better ways to learn—no wonder he has spent his life finding ways to work at schools and in classrooms.

Fellowships grew into mentoring and guest lecturing, eventually building his own classes rooted in the dream of helping people answer questions.

Emily Lark

Grade 6 Teacher

Emily Lark is a seasoned Waldorf teacher, with over twelve years of experience and a passion for working with middle school students. She received her Waldorf training at the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She completed her Masters Degree in education at Mount Mary University in 2017.  As an undergraduate, Emily majored in philosophy at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. She developed a love of travel and curiosity about the world, which led her to live in southern India for a year before deciding to become a Waldorf teacher. 

Emily has taught at Waldorf schools in Colorado, Florida, and Tennessee, including Shining Mountain Waldorf School. Her connection with SMWS is long-standing! She was a student at the school from kindergarten through her high school graduation in 2004. Later, Emily returned in 2017 as “Ms. Lark,” a middle school teacher, when she received a sixth-grade class. She continued teaching the class in 7th and 8th grade before taking a brief hiatus from teaching as she cared for her two young sons. 

As a student at Shining Mountain, Ms. Lark experienced firsthand the influence of an inspiring class teacher. She looks forward to guiding this group of students through their middle school journey as part of the middle school teaching team. 

Samara McDonald

White Dove Early Childhood and Aftercare Assistant

Samara McDonald grew up in Sedona, Arizona, in a big family. After being a stay-at-home mom and volunteering for many years in her children’s classrooms, she decided that working with young children was her calling. Samara worked as a preschool teacher for the City of Fort Collins. Before becoming an assistant teacher at Shining Mountain, she was a kindergarten teacher at River Song Waldorf School. She has three wonderful children and a two-year-old puppy. You can often find Samara at the lake with her chocolate lab, hanging out with family and friends, or practicing yoga.

Rachel Haynes
White Dove Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Rachel Haynes started telling people she wanted to be a teacher when she was four years old, and since then, she’s never wavered! She earned a BA in Social Sciences and a double minor in Multicultural Anthropology and Psychology, continuing on to earn her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Her career as a classroom teacher began in Colorado, where she taught 4th-8th grades in both public and private schools. 
 
When her daughter Sophia was born, Rachel discovered Waldorf Education and began a deep dive into this philosophy and the works of Rudolf Steiner. She began taking Lifeways courses and opened a preschool and kindergarten out of her home, where she earned her childcare license and early childhood teacher credential. For three years, she served families in her home program, teaching the Waldorf philosophy, hosting parent evenings and workdays, and celebrating Waldorf festivals. She also spent a year as the Rainbow Garden Lead Teacher at Shining Mountain, guiding the kindergarten children through an afternoon of story, play, and rest. During this time, she fell in love with Shining Mountain and all that this beautiful land and community offer.
 
Rachel is delighted to be back and looks forward to a year of growth, beauty, joy, warmth, and play! When she’s not with the children, you can find her camping, hiking, or biking with Sophia, or playing with their new Havapoo rescue dog- Millie!

 

Whitney Johansson
Educational Resource Teacher

Whitney has always found joy through working with children. Understanding, appreciating, and supporting how individuals learn is a lifelong passion for her. She has worked as an educator in the Boulder area for the past 15 years, including at the Sister Carmen Community Center, Cure Organic Farm, and The Growe Foundation. Whitney earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from Western Washington University. She is a Clinical Herbalist and has a Master’s degree in Science focusing on Human Nutrition. Through teaching Nutrition to kids, Whitney knew that teaching was the path for her. From there she earned her Elementary Education Teacher’s License from CU and was recognized for being in the top of her class. Whitney went on to study the Orton-Gillingham approach extensively, finding gems in the different approaches from different organizations. Through this training, Whitney witnessed the remarkable impact that multi-sensory, direct, explicit instruction can have and how through this instruction, students’ brains can be activated in varying ways so that their learning and processing style is honored and attended to, whether the subject is literacy or math or beyond. As an Educational Resource Teacher, she aims to connect with the whole person and hold them and their learning in the highest regard. When she is not teaching, you will find her frolicking in her garden, playing the ukulele, sewing up a storm, reading about literacy, hugging her dogs and cats, smooching her daughters, and dreaming of their next adventure.

Bret Schacht

Class Teacher Grade 4

Bret Schacht received his Waldorf Certificate and Masters in Education from Antioch New England Graduate School in 2004. The last fifteen years of his Waldorf teaching career have been pioneering at Prairie Moon Waldorf School in Lawrence, Kansas as class teacher and faculty chair. Bret arrived to Boulder with his wife, Megan Corcoran, and their two children, Caden and Mia. The family loves the outdoors, hot springs, stories, good food, campfires and dancing. Bret trained in organic farming at Sunflower Fields CSA, in outdoor education at the Earth Skills Semester Program, and in movement education with Spacial Dynamics. 

Elliot Cohen

Cross Country Coach

Elliot Cohen is a Shining Mountain parent and a committed runner. He runs with the Boulder Trail Team and, in the past year, has set three new personal records for himself in the 5k, 10k, and 40k. After running in high school, Elliot picked it back up when his daughter (now in third grade) was born, and his love of the sport grown. He now coaches for SMWS and Mountain Lions XC and has put together a number of adventure runs with friends, including a multi-day adaptation of the Hard Rock 100, which, even over four days, was the hardest thing he’s ever done (both times!). 

Karen Kumar
Karen Kumar

Human Resources Director

Karen joined Shining Mountain Waldorf School in August 2013. Born in Michigan, she has enjoyed living in the Boulder area for over 30 years. Like so many, she came to visit and decided to stay. Her business career has been in the financial sector, which lead to an opportunity to be a founding member of a bankcard processing company where she designed and implemented operational and human resources systems. A wife and mother of two teenage boys, Karen loves to spend time with her family, traveling, reading, skiing and hiking. Karen is thrilled to bring her experiences to SMWS and embraces the caring culture and talented community of SMWS.

Cindy Hauser
Cindy Hauser

Bookkeeper

Cindy has been a long-time resident in the mountains of Colorado. She has been employed in the accounting field for over 30 years. Cindy currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Nederland Food Pantry. Cindy is married and her hobbies include chasing after her 4 grandchildren and riding motorcycles.

Sarah Engle
Sarah Engle

Business Director

Sarah grew up in Berkeley, CA and has lived in many wonderful places but loves Colorado, and has lived here for the past 19 years. She is very excited to be a part of the Shining Mountain community and brings her 25 years of experience in the finance world with her. Sarah has worked in public accounting and has been the controller for a real estate development company, a general contractor, and the CFO for a public relations and marketing firm. Sarah was the controller for The Economics Institute here in Boulder that offered graduate school prep to students from developing countries. She has her Bachelor of Accountancy from The College of Santa Fe in NM where she also obtained her CPA license. Sarah is the mother of a very active 15-year-old son who is a x-country runner and an explorer at heart. She loves Colorado for its active lifestyle and enjoys running, biking, swimming, x-country skiing, snowshoeing and backpacking.

Paul Boak
Paul Boak

Facilities and Grounds Director

Paul grew up in England, spending the first ten years of his working life in a Civil/Structural Engineering office. He moved to the United States in 1996 and spent ten years in California before moving to Boulder in 2007. He brings a skill set which lends itself well to the facilities department, being well-versed in all levels of building construction and maintenance. Paul has a young daughter, Annabelle. He plays soccer in the local Boulder league and enjoys running in our beautiful state.

Nancy Bennis

High School Math Teacher 

Nancy Bennis grew up in New Jersey and attended college at the University of Florida. Nancy loved math and the French language and decided to leverage those skills, earning a bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science.

After college, Nancy lived a whirlwind career in the computer industry, from Tampa to NYC and Chicago. She succeeded, for 30 years, as a Strategic Alliance Manager, building strong relationships with other tech companies to deliver high-tech solutions to customers. Much of her time in tech was spent training and preparing salespeople to sell the value of technical software solutions.

For the past five years, Nancy has been tutoring and teaching high school math to Colorado students. She particularly values the strong relationships she builds with each student. She likes to help students build confidence in their math skills and help them apply math to real-life situations. Her secret skills are listening and simplifying complex subjects into simple ideas that make learning easier.

Nancy has four children and many grandchildren. In her spare time, she loves Colorado, skiing, yoga, and swimming. She is inspired by the principles of Shining Mountain Waldorf High School and is thrilled to be teaching high school math.
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Julie Irwin
Julie Irwin

High School Spanish Teacher

Julie grew up spending lots of time outdoors in between Philadelphia and New Hampshire. She attended Skidmore College in upstate New York where she majored in Spanish literature and Latin American Studies. Living in Chile and traveling throughout South America during and after college solidified her zest for travel, different cultures, and the Spanish language.  She is passionate about using a hands-on, interactive approach with her students. She most recently taught High School Spanish for four years at Sandia Preparatory School in Albuquerque, NM. She and her husband have two young sons who she is raising bilingually. She loves hiking, playing card and board games, skiing, fixing up their old house in Lyons, and spending time with her family. Julie is thrilled to be part the Shining Mountain community!

Polly McNeely

Early Childhood Assistant

Growing up in Virginia, Polly McNeely spent her formative years hiking and horseback riding in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She moved to Colorado in 2016 and graduated from Colorado College with a degree in Psychology in 2020. During her time as a nanny, Polly became acquainted with Waldorf education, and she was captivated by its emphasis on creativity, community, and holistic development. Her background in special education informs her dedication to creating safe, nurturing spaces where children feel safe to express themselves. In her free time, Polly enjoys birdwatching, reading, and spending time outdoors with friends.

Craig Rubens
Craig Rubens

Games/PE Teacher, MS Outdoor Education, Circus Troupe Co-Director

Craig wears multiple hats at Shining Mountain. Besides varied teaching responsibilities, he coordinates the Pentathlon, Medieval Games, Michaelmas Games and Field Day. He is a graduate of the Spatial Dynamics Institute and has taught for 25 years in CO and northern CA both as a class teacher and movement specialist. Born in OH, he moved to Boulder to attend CU, and completed his BA at Prescott College in AZ. He has spent many summers leading 4-season backcountry expeditions and class trips into the canyons, rivers, and mountains of the Southwest and the Sierras. Hobbies include hiking, kayaking and gardening.

Thyria Ogletree
Thyria Ogletree

Eurythmy Teacher

Thyria joined the SMWS faculty in 1998.  She received a diploma from the Boulder Eurythmy Program, directed by Helga Michaels and a Pedagogical Eurythmy Certificate sponsored through AWSNA.  She is the proud parent of two adult children, Nyal and Kyra.  Thyria’s other interests include:  cooking, the farm to table movement, literature, and movement of all kinds including dance, volleyball and basketball.

Cristina Geck
Cristina Geck

Eurythmy & Grade 8 Social Dance Teacher

Cristina Geck was born and raised in New York City until her family returned to Germany when she turned nine.  At age twenty, she became deeply involved with the Camphill community of Brachenreuthe, Germany. She lived and trained at this Anthroposophical-based school and biodynamic farm, working with children needing special care for six years. There, Cristina also discovered her love of eurythmy. Cristina studied therapeutic eurythmy for children with special needs and did her full-time eurythmy training from 1989 to 1992, directed by Ms. Helga Mattke, who is still a mentor and friend to this day.

In the summer of 2001, Cristina came to Colorado to teach eurythmy at various Waldorf schools. She has held a BA in Eurythmy since 2013 and has taught at Shining Mountain Waldorf School since 2014. She also taught Eurythmy students in the pedagogical training of Eurythmy Spring Valley in Chestnut Ridge, New York.

Cristina was a member of Sound Circle Eurythmy and other performing ensembles. She is also a passionate hiker, camper, and social dancer who enjoys sharing her joy of dance with middle school students. 

Doug Felkley
Doug Felkley

Woodworking Teacher

Doug Felkley, Woodworking Doug was born on beautiful Catalina Island, in California. Leaving the island when Doug was still a young child, he and his family moved many times before finally settling in Boulder half way through seventh grade. Boulder was the perfect place for him to land, and Doug enjoys all that the Colorado outdoors has to offer. Climbing, cycling, skiing, kayaking, and mountain running have all been on the activity list at one time or another. Doug joined the staff of the City of Boulder gymnastics program in 1982, and after thirty-four years as a coach, coordinator, and supervisor he retired 2016 to pursue an education in furniture design, wood craftsmanship, and sculpture. Combining his love for working with children and his love for creating with wood, teaching woodworking at SMWS is the ideal fit. It is time for another new chapter in his life, combining two things that are very close to his heart: teaching and woodworking. Doug and his wife Jean met nine years ago while attending Bands on the Bricks on the Pearl Street Mall. Together they explore the art and music opportunities in Colorado every chance they get.

Emily Bowman
Emily Anne Bowman

Strings Teacher / Violin and Viola, Orchestra Co-Director

Emily Anne Bowman lives, breathes and dreams in music. A dedicated educator, she keeps a regular schedule as Artistic Director of the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestra and conductor of the GBYO Philharmonic, as faculty with Boulder Suzuki Strings where she teaches violin, viola, fiddle and conducts the Senior Solo Orchestra, and as instrumental music teacher for grades 3-12 violin, viola and orchestra at Shining Mountain Waldorf School. Ms. Bowman has been recognized with the “Exemplary Teacher” award four times by the American Strings Teachers Association of Colorado. Ms. Bowman is an active performer. With music, she has traveled to Europe, South America, Central America, and throughout North America. She can be heard regularly performing with the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado. Ms. Bowman graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Viola Performance from the University of Colorado, receiving the Gabor Ormai Viola Award and the Outstanding Graduate Award from the College of Music. Ms. Bowman lives with her husband and two cats in beautiful Boulder where in addition to making music she delights in spending quality time with family and friends, eating and enjoying the outdoors.

Joshua Berman
Joshua Berman
Spanish Teacher Grades 1-8 and MS Cyber Civics Teacher

Joshua, who is also our school’s Social Media Director, became fluent in Spanish as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua where he worked with the Ministry of Education and was first dubbed, “don Josué.” He spent much of the next decade in Central America, working as a trip leader and guidebook writer. Joshua has a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Brown University and has continued his teacher training at Rudolf Steiner College. Joshua has also worked as an Outward Bound wilderness instructor and is an accomplished travel writer. He has a monthly column in the Denver Post called “Around Colorado” and is the author of six books about travel. He has been a teacher at SMWS since 2007. Joshua’s wife, Sutay, a Registered Nurse and trained doula, teaches prenatal yoga and childbirth classes at Boulder Community Hospital. They have three daughters who attend Shining Mountain.

Theresa Baker
Theresa Baker

Lower Grades Handwork Teacher

Theresa is a native of Boulder who attended CU as a classical antiquities major.  She began teaching handwork to grades 1-8 in September of 1988. Theresa and her husband, David Chappelle, have three children: Micah, Amalindé, and Beau; all three are SMWS alumni. Theresa will serve this year as the Governance Council chair, as a member of the College of Teachers, and on the Campus Planning Committee.

Michael Janzen
Michael Janzen

Class Teacher Grade 7

Michael attended Antioch New England Graduate School for Waldorf Education in 2003. After a successful program, he and his daughter, Zailen, traveled from the lush Northeast to the rugged Southwest to start his teaching career. He taught grades 4-8 and grade 1 in Taos, NM before moving to the SMWS community. He has a plethora of interests and his favorite thing to do is “wake up in the morning”.

Meg Gardner

Interim School Director

Meg Gardner’s enthusiasm for Waldorf education is inspiring, and she is regarded as a Waldorf pedagogical innovator. She earned her BA in Philosophy and Religious Studies at Indiana University and received her MSEd in Waldorf Education at Sunbridge College. Meg taught as a class teacher for eight years at the Waldorf School of the Roaring Fork, where she also founded Polaris Homeschool Group, guiding high school students through the Waldorf curriculum in a homeschool setting. She joined Shining Mountain in 2013 as a middle school class teacher for ten years. During her tenure, she was actively involved in committees, including a three-year term as Chair of the Governance Council.  Last year, Meg became the high school director, overseeing the transition to our new building. Now, as interim school director, Meg will lead SMWS into the future as we mark 40 years of Waldorf education in Boulder. 

Meg grew up in Oklahoma, building tree houses and playing her viola. She and her husband, Jon Ray, enjoy many adventures with their sons, Solomon and Oliver. Meg loves hiking 14ers, backpacking, cross-country skiing, printmaking, painting, encaustics, cooking, reading, and traveling.

Sandra Kirschner
Sandra Kirschner

Class Teacher Grade 3

Sandra was born in Colorado Springs and was raised in Southern California. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. While attending university, she met her future husband, Corey Kirschner. Upon graduation, Sandra met Waldorf Education. She then attended the Waldorf Institute of Southern California at Highland Hall in Los Angeles for her Waldorf Teacher Training. With certificate in hand, Sandra and Corey moved to Colorado where she became the First Grade Teacher at Shepherd Valley Waldorf School in Niwot.  Sandra led two classes (First through Eighth Grade) at Shepherd Valley Waldorf School and also worked for one year as an assistant at Boulder Waldorf Kindergarten. In 2012, Sandra was hired as the First Grade Class Teacher at Shining Mountain Waldorf School. Sandra lives in the quiet mountain community of Jamestown with her husband, Corey, and their cats. Sandra loves scuba diving, downhill skiing, hiking, dancing, and stargazing.

Caela Schulz
Caela Schulz

Class Teacher Grade 2

Caela began her elementary teaching career in the public schools after  completing her Masters Degree in Elementary Education at the University  of Colorado Boulder in 1994, prior her BA in English Literature from  Barnard College/Columbia University in NYC. Caela spent 10 years  teaching in the public schools in Boulder Valley and Adams County,  Colorado. Seeking to enrich her teaching during this time Caela  discovered Anthroposophy and Waldorf Education. After several years out  of the classroom to raise her daughter, she began her Waldorf Teacher  Training at Sunbridge Institute in Spring Valley, NY, graduating in 2017. In  2016, Caela took the third grade class at Shining Mountain through until  fifth grade, and is currently with her second class. Caela lives in Boulder  with her husband Eric, who works for Sherpa Mountain Adventures, and  her daughter Lily, who is in high school.

Dorothea Altgelt
Dorothea Altgelt

Class Teacher Grade 5

Dorothea joined SMWS in 1994 as a Physical Education and German Teacher. After ten years of serving as a subject teacher, she completed class teacher training at Antioch University in 2004, and became a class teacher. She was raised in Germany and received her degree as a Physical Education Teacher in Stuttgart. While teaching in a public school, she discovered Waldorf Education and was trained in Bothmer Gymnastics, Spatial Dynamics and Rhythmical Massage. Dorothea helped to bring Spatial Dynamics Training to North America, with Jaimen McMillan as the director. She has taught in Waldorf Schools in New England and Germany. She has also worked as a member of a kibbutz in Israel, and with handicapped adults in Camphill communities. Dorothea and her husband have three daughters who graduated from SMWS, and their grandson now attends SMWS. Dorothea especially enjoys the arts, gardening, and the beautiful outdoors here in the Rockies.

Sarah Guneratne
Sarah Guneratne

Class Teacher Grade 5

Before becoming a Buddhist monk, Sarah Guneratne’s grandmother was a Montessori teacher for over 40 years. Growing up, Sarah spent summers with her cousins working at her grandmother’s school. Sarah was initially led to Waldorf Education as a parent. The daily rhythms, connection to nature, beautiful rituals, and inspiring holistic view of the developing child led her later to assistant teaching at both a Waldorf Kindergarten and Elementary school in Ashland, OR. There she had incredible mentors and many opportunities to substitute, lead yoga classes and interact with various learning styles.

Sarah received her MEd in Waldorf Education from Antioch University in 2020. The following fall, Sarah joined the SMWS community as a Class Teacher. Sarah also holds a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture from the World Medicine Institute in Honolulu and a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Colorado State University. She enjoys spending time with her family, being out in nature, doing hot yoga, cooking, and creating art.

Joe Koller
Joe Koller

Red Rose Kindergarten Assistant

Joe Koller has been involved with Waldorf pre-schools and kindergartens since the turn of the century—first as a parent, and later as an assistant.  “Papa Joe” has been an assistant to his wife Cherie Flandrick in the Shining Mountain kindergarten since 2008.  He has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and became a Colorado certified Early Childhood Teacher in 2011.  He also has numerous years of restaurant and baking experience and especially enjoys sharing his cooking and baking skills with the children.

Cherie Flandrick
Chérie Flandrick

Red Rose Kindergarten Teacher

Chérie grew up on the Mississippi river in Minneapolis, MN, in a big family. In 1983, she received her B.A. in Sociology and Spanish, and in 1988, her M.A. in Counseling Psychology. For many years she worked as a Psychologist until she fell in love with her oldest daughter’s Waldorf preschool and decided to become a Waldorf Kindergarten teacher. Chérie attended Rudolph Steiner College in California and graduated in 2003. With much love and delight she has taught in Waldorf schools in Minnesota, California, Ireland and Colorado. Chérie has been the Red Rose teacher since 2007. She has 3 daughters that have attended Waldorf schools since preschool.

Mary Beth Fifer
Mary Beth Fifer

Early Childhood Education Director and Aftercare Teacher

Mary Beth has been teaching in one capacity or another since 1982 and feels very blessed to have found her calling in life. She was born in Queens, NY, and spent most of her life on the South Shore of Long Island. Mary Beth graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a BA in Early Childhood Education and has her Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching Certificate from Sunbridge College. Mary Beth met her husband Walter in high school and they have three children – Jason, Ali and Zachary. Ali and Zachary graduated from SMWS in 2004 and 2010 respectively. She has five beautiful grandchildren.

Mary Beth has been an ECE Director for 21 years, beginning her Waldorf career at Boulder Valley Waldorf School as a kindergarten assistant and then the Assistant ECE Director, handwork teacher, Extended Care and Aftercare teacher. She designed and started the camp program at BVWS. Mary Beth joined the SMWS faculty in 2005 as the Director of Licensing, Rainbow Garden and Aftercare teacher. She again designed and started the camp program at SMWS. She has served on the Advisory Board of Boulder TEC -ECE program and is an active member of a number of Director groups including ACIS and ECCBC (Early Childhood Council of Boulder County), as well as being SMWS representative to WECAN.

Sara Fernald
Sara Fernald

Bluebell Prekindergarten Teacher

Sara grew up in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, where she gained a great appreciation for the beauty of the outdoors. She always loved working with children and knew she wanted to be a teacher from an early age. Sara studied to be a public school teacher in Vermont, but reading “School as a Journey” by Torin Finser, convinced her that Waldorf education is much more aligned with what children really need. This led her to study to be an early childhood teacher at Rudolf Steiner College, graduating in 2010. Following graduation, she worked at Sophia’s Hearth Family Center , a Waldorf child care center in NH for almost five years, before moving to Boulder in 2017. Sara enjoys being outside in nature, especially hiking, spending time with friends and family, and doing crafts.
Amiee Reese

Development Director

Amiee Reese grew up in rural Wyoming and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a BFA in sculpture and MA in American Studies. Arriving in Colorado in 2021, she spends her free time exploring the rich outdoor offerings of the front range; hiking, camping, gardening, and learning to fly fish. A writer and studio artist who explores themes of Western identity, nature, spirituality, and gender through a 2D mixed-media collage, she exhibits at FoolProof Contemporary Art Gallery in Denver. Her academic background encompasses creative writing, art, environmental theory, and the culture of the American West.

Amiee has a wealth of experience in the non-profit sphere through her efforts to develop mission-based community relevancy and vibrancy. She has successfully created and implemented arts and education programs, exhibits, and landscapes, developed resources and funds, and provided strategic direction for the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, the CFD Old West Museum, and the University of Wyoming environment and conservation programs. Amiee is delighted to support Shining Mountain Waldorf School and is excited to support equitable and imaginative education as expressed through the study of art, science, and nature.