Meet Our Faculty

Little Acorns Preschool Teacher
Forest Campus

Courtney worked as a Registered Nurse at Saratoga Hospital starting in 2010. After discovering Waldorf education through her own two children, she began at Sophia's Hearth Teacher Education Center, where she is currently working toward her early childhood certificate. Courtney has been leading Parent Child Groups and assisting in our Early Childhood programs since 2018, taking on her own preschool class in 2021.

Rainbow Bridge Preschool Teacher
Early Childhood Center Campus

Jen holds a Bachelor’s of Social Work from Marist College and a Certificate in Waldorf Early Childhood Education from Sophia’s Hearth. Prior to her career in teaching, Jen worked for a non-profit in Albany assisting and advocating for people with traumatic brain injuries. Jen first assisted in our nursery program and then joined our faculty as Lead Teacher in 2018. Jen has taught kindergarten, preschool and caregiver-child classes at our school. She is also a member of the Board of Directors. She lives in Saratoga with her husband and three children.

Evergreen Kindergarten Teacher
Forest Campus

Becca Franco (she/her) completed her Masters Degree in Child Development with a concentration in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from the University of Minnesota and is working towards her Waldorf early childhood certification from Sophia’s Hearth. Becca has a long and loving history with the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs; firstly as a student from preschool through 12th grade, then as an assistant teacher and parent. She has been a lead teacher at the Forest campus since 2022 and lives in Queensbury with her husband and two children.

Maple Kindergarten Teacher
Forest Campus

Helaini lives in Schuylerville with her husband and three children. When she's not out playing in nature she can be found helping at her husband's art gallery. Helaini's roots run deep in our Waldorf community. She attended from preschool through twelfth grade and is now a parent at the early childhood program. Helaini is excited to be coming full circle as a teacher as she works towards her Waldorf early childhood certification. Her years of experience as a long-term care nurse as well as in-depth work with young children and their families have well prepared her for this next role in our community.

Rose Kindergarten Teacher
Early Childhood Center Campus

Sara attended Green Meadow Waldorf School in Spring Valley, NY from Kindergarten through twelfth grade and attributes much of her development and success to her Waldorf education. She studied acting at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC, then received a Montessori Certification while working at Hoboken Montessori School. She then taught music at various preschools while staying home with her two children and moved to Saratoga Springs summer of 2023. Sara is beyond excited to have gotten back to her Waldorf roots and enjoys songwriting, singing and walks in nature.

Little Acorns Assistant
Forest Campus

Kim has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Human Resources Education. Prior to working at Waldorf Saratoga, she worked in a corporate environment in many different adult training positions. She transitioned to a role at the Waldorf school after her kids began attending the Lower School in 2022. Kim is also a member of the Board of Directors. When she is not shuffling her kids from here to there, you can usually find her in the garden or in the kitchen baking with sourdough and trying to create healthy foods her kids will eat!

Rainbow Bridge Assistant Teache
Early Childhood Center

Rachael is an Upstate New York native and has lived in Saratoga Springs with her husband and two children for the past 13 years.   Both of her children attended Waldorf’s early childhood program and are currently in 6th and 9th grade.  She is happy to be back and assisting at the ECC.

Rose Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Early Childhood Center

Jane studied Early childhood education at the University of Tampa and has taught in diverse communities across the country. In the PNW, she discovered a passion for the Reggio Emilia approach and outdoor, child-led learning. Her work is rooted in respect for each child’s individuality and a commitment to equity and social justice. Recently relocated from Portland, Maine, Jane is excited to join the Waldorf School community and grow within its nurturing philosophy.

Evergreen Assistant Teacher
Forest Campus

Maple Forest Assistant Teacher

Forest Kindergarten Cook and Aftercare Teacher

Aftercare Assistant Teacher
Forest Campus

Diana worked in long-term care as a physical therapist assistant for 25 years and as a provider of companion services and advocacy for the elderly. Diana is also a licensed massage therapist and a lover of nature and gardening. She is excited to be a part of the Waldorf Community in her role as a kindergarten assistant in the aftercare program at the Forest campus. 

Grades 1 and 2 Class Teacher

Kristyn earned her Master's of Education from Antioch University New England with a focus on arts and humanities in early childhood and completed her undergraduate studies in psychology. She taught in public schools before discovering Waldorf education for her own children, who both attend our school. Kristyn grew up in Saratoga County and is grateful to have the opportunity to raise her family in this beautiful, abundant area.

Grade 3 Class Teacher

Karen received a BFA from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Science in Education from Sunbridge College. She began her teaching career at WSSS in 1993 and is currently teaching her fourth class cycle. She is the chair of the Governance Council and Teacher Development Committee and teaches Waldorf teacher training at Sunbridge Institute. Karen shares her insight and deep love for Waldorf education in "Windows on Waldorf," a monthly presentation on the unique qualities and strengths of Waldorf Education.

Grade 4 Class Teacher

Farida is an experienced educator with a decade of experience as a lead class teacher. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Education as well as a certificate in Waldorf methodology, honing her 15 years in the field of education with her love of the arts. Farida loves to experience new foods, new cultures, and the joy of life!

Grade 5 Class Teacher

Emily graduated from St. Lawrence University with a degree in English. During her time at St. Lawrence, she was a violinist in the orchestra and on the Women’s Rowing Team. She is currently enrolled in the Waldorf Training at the Alkion Center in Hawthorne Valley.

Middle Grades Class Teacher

Sophie attended the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs from preschool until twelfth grade. After graduating high school, she attended Bennington College where she was given the opportunity to be a student teacher in Brooklyn, New York and Tokyo. After graduating from Bennington, Sophie moved to Japan to teach English, then decided to enroll in the Waldorf teacher training program at Alkion and move back to Saratoga Springs to join our school, creating a full circle!

Middle Grades Class Teacher

Andy studied philosophy and mathematics at the University of Illinois. After working with adults with special needs, he began Waldorf training at Sunbridge College and completed Consciousness Studies and the biodynamic apprenticeship at Rudolf Steiner College. Andy then earned a PhD from Oregon State University focusing on the history of science, philosophy, and literature. Before joining the faculty, he taught high school science, along with college courses for the history and biology departments in Idaho. Andy joined our faculty in 2021.

Practical Arts Teacher
Grades 3 - 8

Michael graduated from Pratt institute in 1994 with a BA in Industrial design. He worked for many years fabricating cabinets and furniture in Brooklyn. During those years he found time to have three kids and create hundreds of one-of-a-kind functional products using found objects. He completed his Waldorf training at the Alkion Center in Hawthorne Valley. Michael joined our faculty in 2014.

Handwork Teacher
Grades 1-8

Emily (they/them) began their Waldorf journey at the Eugene Waldorf School, continued as a student at WSSS in Grade 5, and graduated in 2015. Emily received a BA from Bennington College with a focus on visual arts (painting) and gender studies. They work seasonally at Goode Farm, volunteer with the Flurry, and work on artistic commissions, including spun cotton miniatures, fiber arts, and painting. They enjoy time in their garden and studio with six ducks and one very sweet cat.

Movement and Games Teacher
Grades 1-8

Stephen grew up in Ballston Lake and attended Cortland to study Sports Management. He has ten years of previous teaching experience, eight of which were at the Meadowbrook Waldorf School in Rhode Island. He and his wife recently moved back to the area to be closer to family, and he loves playing all kinds of games, being outside, listening to music, and playing with his dog, Reggie.

Spanish Teacher

Originally from Spain, Marta earned her B.S. in Civil Engineering from Alfonso X University in Madrid. She moved to Saratoga Springs in 2020 as an au pair and quickly discovered her love for sharing her language and culture with children. In 2024, she completed an intensive English as a Second Language program in Albany. Now living in Saratoga Springs with her husband, she enjoys reading thriller novels and being outdoors with her dog, Nieve, in her free time.

Aftercare Lead Teacher

Tamara received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health from SUNY Potsdam, where she also studied music at Crane. She has substitute taught and assisted in our Early Childhood Program since 2018. She lives in Saratoga Springs with her husband and two children.

Special Education Teacher

Joanne was born in Toronto and raised in California, where she earned a B.A. in Psychology from UC San Diego and an M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of San Diego. She taught a variety of students, from special needs to gifted education, in San Diego and Spokane, Washington before moving to Glenville, NY. This is her sixth year at Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs.

Special Education Teacher Aide

Karen holds a B.A. in Communications from University of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, NY. She has eleven years of experience as a Teacher Aide throughout the school district, and this is her third year at Waldorf. Karen really enjoys learning new things along with the students here, such as knitting and form drawing!

Adjunct Teacher

Abigail has served in many roles at our school over the years. She has been a parent, kindergarten teacher, class teacher, faculty advisor, mentor, and administrator. She now returns as an adjunct class teacher for select lesson blocks, including history, theater, and creative writing.

Adjunct Teacher

Heather (she/her) graduated from Austin College in Sherman, TX with a BA in Communication Arts and Tulane University in New Orleans, LA with an MFA in Theatrical Design. She completed her training at Waldorf Teacher Education Eugene in Oregon. Heather has guided three groups of children though Waldorf education in the lower grades. Heather most enjoys singing, dancing, hiking, and creating community.