Waldorf Saratoga: Early Childhood

Faculty and Administration

Anne Marie Baker - (biographical information to come)

Stephen Balmer joined the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs in 2000. He was an English teacher from 1980 to 1983 before acquiring a J.D. in Jurisprudence from SUNY Buffalo in 1987. A practitioner of law from 1987 to 1999, Steve now teaches high school humanities.

Eric Belcher

Eric graduated from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown College in 1988, performed with their Blue Unit in 1989, and has since proceeded to entertain and teach physical comedy, movement, and circus arts around the continent. Eric teaches High School movement as well as serves as co-coordinator of our afterschool Circus Arts Program.

Colin Boyd joined the Waldorf School in 2006 as a guest instructor and became part of the school as a full time faculty member in 2009. Colin teaches practical arts and a few fine arts classes in the High School and Lower School. Previously, Colin has taught art at SUNY Albany, The College of St. Rose and Hamilton College. He holds a Masters of Fine Arts from the Univerisyt at Albany (2008) and is currently working on his Waldorf Teacher Certification.

Holly Brashares studied Languages, Art, and Education at Indiana University, then moved to New Zealand, where she received her Waldorf Teacher Certification. She holds training certificates in Eurythmy, Pedagogical Eurythmy, and Therapeutic Eurythmy, and has been the middle- and high-school Eurythmy teacher since 1996.

Abby Brill joined the WSSS faculty in 2006; she teaches K-6 Eurythmy. Abby is the recipient of a B.A. from Washington University in Germanic Language and Literature (1979); a Waldorf Teacher Training certificate from the Waldorf Institute of Detroit (1984); and a Diploma in Eurythmy from the School of Eurythmy in Spring Valley, NY. (1988).

Kathleen Brown

Kathleen graduated with a B.A. in English and holds her temporary teaching certification. Prior to working at the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, Kathleen worked as an Assistant Teacher with autistic and special needs children. Kathleen also worked for nine years as an interpreter at the Brookside Museum as well as teaching crafts and folk art. Kathleen joined us in 2009 as our Rose Kindergarten Teachers Assistant.

Mandy Carlson was a Rotary exchange student to Helsinki, Finland before completing her undergraduate degree from West Virginia University. She holds a Masters Degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from Clemson University as well as a Masters of Arts in Teaching from the University of South Carolina. Before joining WSSS in 2008, some of her jobs included freelance consulting with a textbook company and teaching in a rural public school in Illinois. Mandy is currently taking courses in the Waldorf Early Childhood Education program at Sunbridge College. She is the four day preschool teacher.

Karen Crandall returned to us in December 2006 as the class teacher for the current grade 6th. Karen has taught previously at WSSS, having led a class from grades 1 through 8 (1992-2001). In the interim, she had served as a Lead Family Educator for the Head Start Program. Karen holds a Master of Science in Education degree from Sunbridge College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pennsylvania State University.

Lisa Daigle graduated from The University of New England in 1984 with a B.S. in Physical Therapy. She worked in that field for the next 12 years. Lisa has worked for the school in various capacities for the past 16 years. She is now our Lower School Office and Facilities Manager.

Michael D'Aleo was a co-founder of the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs high school, where he teaches physical sciences and mathematics. A former engineer, Michael lectures widely on the topics of science and education and co-authored the book "Sensible Physics," a teaching guide for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade educators.

Sigrid D'Aleo was born and raised in the mountains of Austria, but completed her Waldorf training in the United States, at Sunbridge College. She has been teaching in our Early Childhood Program for eleven years, nine of them as a lead teacher.

Amy Desmond - Amy is our Early Childhood Center Aftercare Director. (biographical information to come)

Dazzle Ekblad - Dazzle Ekblad joined WSSS in 2009 as our Bookkeeper. In her teens, Dazzle developed an interest in unique educational opportunities and left high school early to attend Lester B. Pearson United World College in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. There she earned an International Baccalaureate Certificate, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Prescott College in Arizona. Dazzle has worked as a bookkeeper in small business and not-for-profit settings since 1999.

Tracie English, the WSSS Registrar, holds a B.A. in Philosophy and English Literature and has worked previously as a paralegal.

Deborah Frahme has served as our Lower School strings instructor for three years. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam.

Richard Fron has served as a Waldorf class teacher as well as a Waldorf music teacher. He studied music at Oberlin Conservatory and Boston University, receiving a Bachelor of Music degree. He is the Music Program director for WSSS, and also leads the middle and high school orchestra programs.

Melinda Fuller earned her degree from Bennett College. She has been working with children since 1987, working at several schools in Connecticut before coming to the Waldorf school in 2005. Melinda works with Linda Stallard in our aftercare program at York Avenue.

Jessalyn Hall - Ms. Hall joins the WSSS Lower School faculty in autumn, 2009 as our grade 5 teacher. (biographical information to come)

Kathryn Hampson graduated from The Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1984 with a B.A. in economics. She has also completed a five year training with the Spacial Dynamics Institute in movement education, graduating in 2003. She joined our faculty in 2004, and teaches Movement Education in grades 1-8.

Katie Hooper received a Bachelor of Music degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, and also studied at The Cummington School of the Arts in western Massachusetts. She has been a Suzuki piano teacher for twenty-six years and has taught choral music at WSSS since our high school began.

Patricia Hrebenach

Patricia joined the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs in 2008 as our lower school french teacher. Patricia brings with her 7 years of teaching experience in the public and private school area as well 10 years of French/English and English/French translation work. Patricia holds a B.S. in Water Resources Management from the University of Maryland as well as Graduate course work in French Studies from the University at Albany.

Gina Gutierrez Karp graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1986 with a joint degree in English and Anthropology. She taught widely in public school settings (including ESL) before attaining a Masters degree in Waldorf Education from Antioch College. Gina joined the WSSS faculty in 2004, and is now our third grade teacher.

Lucy Kriger has been playing piano and other instruments for Eurythmy classes at the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs for the past 11 years. She received a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University with a major in music.

Cindy Litts holds a B.S. in Nursing from Syracuse University and an MSN in Maternal-Child Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh; before joining WSSS, she worked as a nurse in a pre-school setting. She began the school's satellite pre-school program in Vischer Ferry in 199 as well a one of the founding parents of the first 1st grade, and has been teaching preschool at the Early Childhood Center in Saratoga Springs since 2005.

Nellie Lovenduski - Ms. Lovenduski joined our High School Faculty as a mathematics teacher in the fall of 2009. She taught Mathematics in public schools for 5 years and comes to us with a BA in both Mathematics and Secondary Education as well as a Masters Degree in Education from SUNY Potsdam. Ms Lovenduski has completed the Wilderness Education Association Leadership training and has taught and led backcountry camping including wintercamping, canoeing, orienteering and biking trips.

Joshua Lytle, a native of Saratoga Springs, teaches humanities courses in the high school. He has a degree in Philosophy and Creative Writing from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and spent several years teaching English in Japan before coming to WSSS. He has completed his certification in Waldorf High School Education with the Center for Anthroposophy in Wilton, NH.

Carly Lynn is presently teaching mixed age kindergarten, having joined our school in 2005. She did her undergraduate work at SUNY Potsdam in K-6 education, and has her Masters degree in Waldorf Early Childhood Education from Sunbridge College.

Mary Maschal joined our Early Childhood faculty in 2008 and comes to us from the Eugene Waldorf School (EWS) in Eugene, OR where she served as an assistant teacher in their Kindergarten. Mary completed her Waldorf Teacher Certification there in 2006. She also holds a B.A. in Women's Studies from San Diego State Univeristy. Prior to her work at EWS, Mary worked in both public education and the non-profit arena. She is our current teacher in the Rose Garden Kindergarten at the Early Childhood Center on Lake Avenue.

John MacNeal - Mr. MacNeal joins our Lower School faculty in autumn, 2009 as our grade 7 teacher. John is self-educated by choice, a passionate believer in and practioner of non-compulsory education. He has been a student of Anthroposospy since his early 20's. In his work life, John has been a builder, a computer networker, a Wall Street financial analyst, an international consultant on monetary systems and an educator. Before joining the faculty of the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, John was director and teacher of a small school for middle school and high school students who had lost interest in both state and independent education. His personal academic passions are history and philosophy.

Lisa Meisinger

Lisa is a guest teacher at the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs for January through June 2010. She is teaching eurythmy for grades 7-12.

Sarah Mercier - Sarah joined our Administrative staff in autumn, 2009 as High School Office Manager and Development Assistant. Sarah graduated from Empire State College with a Bachelors of Science degree in Human Development and brings with her 13 years of office administration experience.

Gina Michelin joined the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs in the summer of 2007. She graduated magna-cum-laude from the University of Massachusetts with a B.L.A. in Psychology, Sociology, and English. Gina also holds a B.A. in Environmental Science from SUNY Plattsburgh and a A.A. in Social Science from SUNY Cobleskill. She has worked professionally in marketing, advertising and human resources and brings her passion for Waldorf Education to her role as Development Director.

Sydney Morrell has taught French at WSSS since 2002, and formerly taught at the Waldorf School of Princeton. She received a B.A. in 1982 in French and Italian Literature from London University (Royal Holloway College), and has also directed and taught at Foreign Language Conferences for the Waldorf Teacher Education Center at Sunbridge College. She is currently teaching French in our High School.

Astrea Ravenstar - Astrea RavenStar has worked as a massage therapist since 2000. She has practiced and taught many forms of healing arts including Reiki, Shamanic Healing and Craniosacral Therapy with adults and children. She completed her Waldorf Teacher training in 2009. Astrea joins the Waldorf School in 2009 as our first grade teacher.

Jennifer Lee Rathner joined the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs in 2004 and is teaching Renaissance History, Comedy & Tragedy and the 10th and 12th grade play blocks. Jen's background includes 35 years of acting and directing including 9 years of film production work in NYC. Jen is currently enrolled in the Waldorf High School Teacher Training program at the Center for Anthroposophy with plans to graduate in their 2011 class.

Abigail Reid holds a B.A. from Skidmore College, graduating in 1978 and completed her Waldorf teacher training in 2001. In the early years of WSSS, she assisted in the Early Childhood Programs. She is currently the eighth grade teacher.

Mary Roberts was trained in Art Education at the State University of New York at New Paltz, and she has done graduate work at St. Rose College, SUNY Albany, and Skidmore College, with an emphasis in fiber arts. Prior to coming to WSSS, she taught art in the public schools. She now teaches painting in various classes in the Lower School and in the High School.

Brian Ruel joined the WSSS as the class 2 teacher in September 2007. Brian completed his Waldorf teacher training at Antioch University in New Hampshire and has taught in the early grades at Waldorf Schools in Maine, Washington State, and Oregon. Most recently, he has taught grades 2-5 at the Canterbury Steiner School in Kent, England.

Katherine Scharff has reaped the rewards of a Waldorf education, having graduated from the Green Meadow Waldorf School in 1979. She is a registered nurse. Since 2003 she has served on the WSSS Board of Directors; in 2005 she was appointed Administrative Manager. Katherine has also taught Waldorf curricula in parent-child classes and home school settings, including teaching the 2-year-old program at WSSS.

Alexandra Siy joined WSSS High School faculty in the fall of 2008 and currently teaches Life Science and Mathematics. She is an accomplished author and photographer and has several writing awards and honors to her credit. Ms. Siy holds a B.A. in Biology from SUNY Plattsburgh and an M.A. in Science Education from SUNY Albany. Alex completed her Waldorf Teacher Training at the Center for Anthroposophy in Wilton, NH.

Linda Stallard holds a B.S. in Health and Physical Sciences from the University of Wisconsin (1986). She has worked in a variety of educational settings, including the High Mowing Waldorf High School, where, among other things, she served as a dorm counselor. She has been working in the WSSS aftercare program since 2002, and is currently the Lower School Aftercare Director.

Scott Stewart holds B.S. in Elementary Education and a B.S. in Physical Education from Cortland College. Scott completed his Masters of Science in Waldorf Education at Sunbridge College. Scott has worked with children in educational, athletic and camp settings since 1994. He has also worked on bio-dynamic Duryea Farm teaching farming and nature studies to public school children. Scott joined WSSS in the autumn of 2008 and is our current second grade teacher.

Diane Tribley has been with WSSS since its inception in 1981, when her daughter was in our very first preschool class. In the past 27 years, Diane has worn many hats at our school, working as a teacher's aide, co-teacher, business manager and office support person.

Cynthia Wright holds a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts, magna cum laude, from Houghton College, and a Masters in Arts Education from the University of Illinois. She taught public and private students for 18 years prior to coming to WSSS. Cynthia is one of the founding parents of the Northern Lights School in the Adirondacks. A painter, sculptor, and puppet maker, she completed her Waldorf Teacher training certification from the Center for Anthroposophy in Wilton, NH.

Jan Zemba has been teaching in Waldorf High Schools for the last nine years. She holds a doctorate in ocean physics from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Jan is experienced as a physical oceanographer and is also an accomplished musician. Currently, she teaches mathematics, meteorology, chemistry, and recorder in the WSSS middle and high schools.

Education & Faculty

Faculty and Administration