School Faculty

Early Childhood Teachers

Prekindergarten Teacher, Anna Ridgeway has been a member of our CLWS early childhood faculty since 2000 and a lead Pre-kindergarten teacher since 2002. Ms. Ridgeway is a second generation Waldorf Early Childhood teacher and the first graduate of City of Lakes Waldorf School to join our school faculty. Ms. Ridgeway earned a BA in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota and her Waldorf Early Childhood teaching certificate through the Micha-el Institute in Portland, Oregon. Ms. Ridgeway and her husband Adam have a young daughter named Eloise and two cats. Ms. Ridgeway enjoys gardening, reading and camping.

Pre-kindergarten Teacher, Melissa McPartland joined the CLWS faculty in 2003. She has worked as recorder ensemble teacher, kindergarten assistant, and, since 2007, as a lead preschool teacher. Ms. McPartland holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Saint Olaf College, a Master of Music degree from Boston University and is in the process of completing a Waldorf Early Childhood teaching certificate from Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, California. She has furthered the work of the school on various committees, including the green, community partnership and human resource committees, and is currently a member of the College of Teachers. Prior to her teaching work at CLWS, Melissa was a freelance clarinetist, music teacher, and costume seamstress for local theater. Following a circuitous path leading from Minneapolis to Cambridge, England and back again, her heart and her two children have led her to City of Lakes where she happily combines her love of young children and her love of music.

Kindergarten Teacher, Elena Orsak has been a member of CLWS teaching faculty since 2008. She taught String Ensemble to grades students for two years prior to accepting a position as a lead Kindergarten teacher in 2010. Ms. Orsak previously taught as a substitute and after school teacher at the Cambridge Steiner School and the Minnesota Waldorf School where she also developed and taught a summer program. She founded and taught her own Waldorf inspired home preschool program, “A Children’s Garden” for two years before taking a position in the Early Childhood program at CLWS. Ms. Orsak completed coursework in Early Childhood Education at Naropa University and has been an integral member of the Rudolf Steiner Institute for many years. She has attended numerous teacher preparation courses at RSI and helped to facilitate the summer sessions of the 35 year old Rudolf Steiner Institute. Ms. Orsak currently serves on the faculty of Novalis Institute and continues her work in anthroposophy through many venues nationwide. Ms. Orsak is a Waldorf graduate and a second generation Waldorf teacher.

Kindergarten Teacher, Lori Daniels, one of our lead kindergarten teachers, has been a part of the City of Lakes Waldorf School community since 2003.  She has been an assistant in the kindergarten and preschool classrooms, a substitute teacher in the grades and facilitated summer programs.  During her three year hiatus in Iowa, she returned for the fall semester of 2008 as a long-term substitute while Miss Anna was on maternity leave. Previously, Miss Lori has worked with children for over 20 years in many capacities.  She has a B.A. in Early Childhood Education Administration and has earned her Waldorf Early Childhood Teaching
Certificate from Micha-el Institute in Portland, OR.

Early Childhood Assistant and Extended Day Teacher, Monique Ferre has been teaching in Waldorf schools since 2001. She first began as a Kindergarten assistant at City of Lakes Waldorf School and then taught as an early childhood lead teacher at the Spring Hill School for six years before rejoining the early childhood staff at CLWS in 2010. Monique has worked with children from ages 18 months to six years old in toddler, pre-k and kindergarten programs. To supplement her work with the children, Monique has become a Licensed Brain Gym Instructor and graduated as a Movement Educator from the Spacial Dynamics Institute, NY. Through movement education, Monique has helped people, young and old, in group settings and individually using Spacial Dynamics techniques. Currently, she is enrolled in the Early Childhood Therapeutic Enrichment Program, in Denver, Colorado.

In addition to her teaching experience, Monique has cared for children and adults as a registered nurse in France. She worked as a technician, trainer and patient educator in clinical settings, and made home visits to support mother and baby health following birth. Monique and her family are originally from France.  Together they like to travel, ski, bike, sail, garden, and read. Her daughter is an alumnus of City of Lakes Waldorf School.

Amy Laederach graduated with a BA from the University of Minnesota in anthropology and film studies. This is her second year as a kindergarten assistant at City of Lakes Waldorf School. Prior to joining the CLWS early childhood staff, Amy maintained a professional practice in the Healing Arts, studying human development and spirituality for the past 13 years.  Amy came to Waldorf education from a desire to balance her experience in Healing Arts with teaching and art therapy.  She has completed two years in the teacher training foundation studies through Novalis Institute. Additionally, Amy has studied the painting therapy of the Steiner inspired work of Liane Collot d’Herbois.  Amy has enjoyed working with young children, volunteering in pre-school and public school settings and is thrilled to now be a part of the Waldorf experience.

Anette Safverblad is in her fourth year as an early childhood assistant at City of Lakes Waldorf School.  A native of Sweden, Anette is educated as a Drama Pedagogue.  Prior to working at CLWS Anette has worked for Stages Theatre, Stepping Stone Theatre and Arc as an artist-in-residence.  She has a wide range of experience working with children and adults, including special needs, theatre, forum theatre, group dynamics and creative dramatics.  In her free time she likes to do things with her hands, such as gardening, knitting and baking.  Spending time with her family, travelling and being in nature are pastimes she enjoys.

Grades Teachers

Peter Lawton, our first grade teacher,  joined CLWS in 2002, taking a class from first through eighth grade. His first class graduated in 2010.  Before joining City of Lakes, Peter taught music and math for Minneapolis Public Schools, teaching students from kindergarten through the tenth grade.   He has a BM in voice from Manhattan School of Music (1991), an MA in education from the University St. Thomas (1999), and a Waldorf Teaching Certificate from Arcturus Rudolf Steiner Education Program, Chicago (2008).  He is currently a candidate for an Ed.D. and administrative licensure at the University of St. Thomas.  Peter has served on many committees and task forces at CLWS including the Festival, Space Use, Human Resources, and Finance committees, and the Compensation & Benefits and Strategic Planning task forces.  He served on the Board of Trustees and chaired the Teacher Development Committee, faculty and College of Teachers.  He has been the Saturday cook at Matt’s bar, home of the “Jucy Lucy”, for the last eleven years.  Peter loves Lake Superior, baseball, the Green Bay Packers and music, in that order.

Grade Two Teacher, Sara Logan left southern California at the age of 3, thereby saving herself from becoming a Valley Girl.  Instead, she grew up in Northfield, MN, where she spent much of her childhood playing school, acting in Community Theater plays, and singing in any choir that would take her.  Sara has studied folklore, Russian, mathematics, music, history, creative writing, literature, and Ancient Greek – she holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College, a degree so broad in scope that it could lead only to Waldorf class teaching!  She completed her M. S. Ed. at Sunbridge College and taught at Spring Hill School for 11 years before coming to City of Lakes Waldorf School.   Her favorite first grade song is “One for the Golden Sun,” and her childhood bedroom was the same shade of pink as the first grade classroom.

Grade Three Teacher, Darcie Steeves grew up in a small town near Madison, WI and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire with majors in Business and Spanish. She has lived in Minneapolis for 15 years and shares her life with her husband and two sons. Ms. Steeves has a passion for studying child development, and as a result discovered Waldorf education when searching for a kindergarten for her oldest son.  It has been a love affair ever since.  She is pursuing continuing education in the arts and anthroposophical studies, and will receive her Certificate for Waldorf Elementary Education in the summer of 2012 from Sunbridge Institute in New York.  Ms. Steeves has been part of the CLWS community since 2008 and is grateful to be loved by two large families and a bevy of close friends.  In addition to enjoying handwork of all kinds, she enjoys yoga, frequently; and sleeping in, unfortunately far less often.

Grade Four Teacher, Thako Harris grew up in Obernburg, Germany.  His earliest memories include the feeling of chalk-dust between his finger tips. Between that kinesthetic memory and the present chalky lifestyle, lies a modern Odyssean journey.  He completed high school in the U.S., later attending the University of Texas at El Paso, where he studied Biology.  Minnesota eventually called him north to study Fisheries and Wildlife.  He enjoyed studying at the U of M, but also learned from the At-Risk students he taught and his own two children: Ocean and Shalom.

Not content with book-learning, Thako moved to Lake Lillian and built a Mandan Earth Lodge.  Experience with the beauty of fire, chickens, goat herding, candle-light, and primitive living, left an indelible mark.  Fate noticed this mark and sent him to California.  Biodynamics and Waldorf education were parting California gifts.  Expecting his third child and holding on to the underbelly of a Subaru “sheep”, Thako and his family left California, heading quickly to the City of Lakes Waldorf School.  Ocean and Shalom were enrolled, soon to be followed by Cedar.

Thako taught German at CLWS for 4 years, while pursuing Waldorf teacher training.  The time spent as Herr Harris marked him forever.  This formative time led him to class teaching.  As a class teacher, it’s been noted that he is like a 3rd grader himself, when playing with his class.  Besides teaching, Thako enjoys: biking, skateboarding, drawing, and downtime with Ocean, Shalom, and Cedar!

Grade Five Teacher, Ms. Hansen began her elementary teaching career on a Zuni reservation in 1991 and has previous teaching experiences from a wide variety of settings.  Ms. Hansen joined the CLWS faculty in December 2005 as the 7th grade teacher.  After graduating her class the following year, she became the first grade teacher of her current class. She received a BS in Elementary Education from Ball State University and completed Master’s work in Reading Education.  Ms. Hansen has received Waldorf training through Novalis Institute, Micha-el Institute, Rudolf Steiner College and Rudolf Steiner Center and Arcturus Rudolf Steiner Education Program. She is the mother of three children that attend City of Lakes Waldorf School. Ms. Hansen enjoys the great outdoors, promotes eco-friendly activities within our school and is fondly known as our “Green Queen”.

Grade Six Teacher, Kelly Larson joined the faculty of CLWS when she started with a seventh grade class in 2004-2005. After graduating her first class, she began with her current class of students in the fall of 2006. Kelly is an accomplished educator with extensive middle school experience, having taught every core subject and many elective subjects in a variety of school environments. Kelly is also a teacher trainer and has worked with adult learning in a variety of settings. Ms. Larson has a BA in Liberal Arts from California State University, a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota and a Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning from Saint Mary’s University. In addition, she is a Waldorf Teaching Certificate candidate through Arcturus Rudolf Steiner Training Program. Kelly has served in number of leadership roles including Festival Chair, Faculty Chair and Teacher Development Chair.

Grade Seven Teacher, Gregory Beech holds a BA in English and Theatre Arts from the University Of Minnesota-Morris and an MFA in Acting from Rutgers University-Mason Gross School of the Arts. He’s received Waldorf training from Arcturus Rudolf Steiner Training Center in Chicago, Rudolf Steiner College, and Micha-el Institute. He has served at CLWS as the Chair of the College of Teachers, Faculty Chair, as a member of the Finance Committee and on the Board of Trustees. His teaching experience includes stints at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Rutgers College in NJ, and Warren Wilson College in NC. He has worked at The Children’s Theater Company, The Guthrie Theater, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, and Penumbra Theatre Company. He has considerable experience as an architectural sculptor, carpenter, and visual artist. He enjoys spending time with his son (a CLWS 2010 grad), performs jazz on the upright bass, plays guitar and ukulele, and loves the great outdoors. Mr. Beech’s class will graduate from CLWS in 2013.

Grade Eight Teacher, Jason Burnstein joined the faculty in 2005 as the movement and games instructor.  After four years as a subject teacher for grades 1 – 8, Mr. Burnstein stepped into the role of the class teacher for the class of 2012.  Jason earned an MFA from Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado, and a BFA from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Mr. Burnstein has had the pleasure to teach and attend courses at the Rudolf Steiner Institute since 2006 where he has deepened his understanding of Waldorf education and anthroposophy; working side by side with some of the most respected teachers in the Waldorf movement.  Later this summer he will graduate from the five-year training in Spacial Dynamics (a unique approach to child development, education, and movement).  He currently shares this love of movement by teaching courses in Spacial Dynamics for both the Rudolf Steiner Institute and Novalis Institute. Mr. Burnstein has enjoyed working with children for over 16 years, from running summer programs, teaching martial arts, circus arts, theater, movement, and now currently serving as the 8th grade teacher at CLWS.

Special Subject Teachers

Block Teacher, Anne Crampton is an experienced teacher who has taught in a variety of settings. Prior to her work at City of Lakes Waldorf School, she taught at Watershed High School, a charter school that utilizes Waldorf teaching methods. Ms. Crampton joined CLWS faculty as a grade teacher in 2007 when her current class was in fifth grade. In addition to teaching eighth grade, Ms. Crampton teaches language arts to CLWS sixth graders. Anne’s other teaching experience includes serving as an English Teacher at Watershed High School, Minneapolis, at Bais Yaakov High School, St. Paul and at Johnson Senior High School, St. Paul. Ms. Crampton received a BA in English and History from Macalester College and an MA in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has her Language Arts Teaching Certification (Grades 7-12) and has taken foundation studies and Waldorf teacher training courses through Novalis Institute, Rudolf Steiner College and Sunbridge Institute.

German Teacher, Herr Tagar has been teaching German at City of Lakes Waldorf School since 2009. He was born in Israel to parents who helped to found the first Waldorf School in Jerusalem. Mr. Tagar attended high school abroad and graduated from the Rengoldshausen Waldorf School in southern Germany. His BA (political science) is from LaTrobe University in Australia, and his MA (international relations) is from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has experience in environmental education and advocacy in the Middle East and in Australia. He loves playing the guitar in German classes, singing German songs and playing games from the first through to eighth grades. Herr Tagar has two children; the eldest is currently in kindergarten at City of Lakes Waldorf School.

Spanish Teacher, Sra. Julia Moreno graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA/M. Ed in International Relations and Training and Organizational Development.  She then joined an international consulting firm living and working in Europe, Australia, Mexico and South America.  She completed Waldorf Teacher Training in Eugene, Oregon in Early Childhood where she also taught Spanish.  She briefly joined the Sarasota Waldorf School as interim Administrator / Spanish Teacher before joining CLWS.  She is married to a “nice” Frenchman and has a daughter and grandson (who attends the Minnesota Waldorf School) living here in Minnesota.  Sra. Moreno was born in Caracas, Venezuela and hopes to bring Steiner’s impulse to her country of Venezuela someday.

Art and Woodwork Teacher, Kevin Kane was a master craftsman and bio-dynamic gardener at Camphill village in New York before moving back to Minnesota. Camphill is a curative community founded on the same principles as Waldorf education. Because of this unique background he was recruited to work at City of lakes Waldorf School in its first year. Over the past 20 years he has taught art, practical arts, Woodworking, Math and main lessons for grades three through eight at the school. For seven years he also taught at Watershed High School which was founded by former teachers of City of Lakes. He has been the chair of multiple school committees and a past college member. He has uncanny knowledge of every corner of the school building, an unprecedented ability to retain jokes and small bits of interesting information and a penchant for pedagogical storytelling. For all of this he is well-loved. Lastly, he is the unofficial school historian.

Handwork Teacher, Jessica Crawford has been teaching Handwork at City of Lakes since 2004, first as an assistant and then as lead teacher.  She also co-taught a grades class through their 7th and 8th grades, and taught the youngest children and their parents in the Little Sprouts program.  She has a Master of Fine Arts in photography from the University of Oregon in Eugene, and a Bachelor of Art in anthropology from St. Olaf College (the Para College).  She has taken many Waldorf teacher preparation and Anthroposophy courses through Novalis Institute, Arcturus, and Sunbridge Institute, beginning with a biodynamic gardening course in 1998.  She taught for seven years in the art department at the College of St. Catherine, at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and at Film in the Cities. Jessica has served on the CLWS Social Health committee since its formation in 2006. She especially enjoys alternative processes in photography, such as pinhole cameras and vintage printing methods.  Ms. Crawford has three children, one in high school, and two at City of Lakes.

String Ensemble Teacher, Zack Kline studied at Macalester College (BA 2002) and his teaching and performing activities span classical, jazz, fiddling and his own compositions.  CLWS string ensemble classes draw on this variety, with good classical technique as a basis.  With eight years of private and group teaching (including 2 years as an assistant ensemble teacher at CLWS at 2 years at Chicago Waldorf School) he was excited to take the helm of the string program at City of Lakes in 2010.  He organizes summer fiddle camps in Chicago and Minneapolis and you can see his chamber group, The Orange Mighty Trio, in performance around the Twin Cities.

Movement and Circus Teacher, Rosie Cole is our Movement Education teacher.  In 1993, she co- founded CLWS Circus Arts Program with husband Lloyd Brant. Together Rosie and Lloyd have directed over eighteen annual spring circus productions at City of Lakes Waldorf School. Rosie has worked in many teaching capacities at CLWS, bringing her love of movement, theater, singing and circus arts to the classroom. She studied theater and world studies at Evergreen State College, attended a summer intensive in Waldorf Movement Education with Edmund Knighton and is professionally trained in the Lecoq method of physical acting and Decroux mime technique.  Ms. Cole also studied ballet at American Ballet Theatre, jazz dance at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and circus arts with Hovey Burgess. Her work as an educator has also brought her to teach physical theater as an artist in residence in numerous colleges and public schools across Minnesota and Wisconsin. For the past ten years Rosie has served on the CLWS College of Teachers and is currently serving as the Subject Teacher chair for the faculty leadership group. Rosie has been seen along with her husband Lloyd performing their unique brand of physical theater at theaters and festivals across the United States for the past 28 years. Rosie Cole is a proud parent of two graduates of CLWS.

Math Teacher, Marc Gutman has a Masters degree in Mathematics Education.  He started teaching High School when he was 21, and taught for five years before he and his friend Sadie wrote a show about Calculus, quit their jobs, and drove around North America performing it.  He has released three Albums of Music about Mathematics and is planning on releasing another sometime in 2011.  He is happy to be teaching at City of Lakes and enjoys the students’ enthusiasm.

Educational Support Teacher, Mary Hatch has been involved with Waldorf education for nearly 30 years. She was a founder of the Minnesota Waldorf School and all six of her children were Waldorf students. She served as a CLWS Kindergarten teacher for almost twenty years. She has a strong interest in serving children with developmental challenges, and received a Waldorf Teaching Certificate in Remedial Education from Rudolf Steiner College. Her educational background includes studies in Chemistry from the College of St. Catherine, a BA in History from the University of Minnesota and graduate study in Russian History and Biology.

Educational Support Teacher, Kerry Miller has served CLWS in many capacities since joining the faculty in 1990. From 1990 to 2002, Kerry was a lead Kindergarten Teacher. She was a member of the first CLWS College of Teachers founded by Rene Querido and later served as a Chair of the College of Teachers. After completing remedial education training, Kerry began to assist students in need of learning support. Ms. Miller (or more commonly Ms. Kerry) retired from the Kindergarten to begin full-time educational support work in 2002. Ms. Miller has served as a regional WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association Network) representative and on accreditation teams for the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America. She has provided educational support to students at Watershed High School and the Spring Hill School and taught classes for the local adult education center, Novalis Institute. She received her Waldorf Teaching Certificate in Remedial Education from Sunbridge College. In addition, she has a BS in Therapeutic Education from Prescott College.