Eighth Grade Teacher

Harper graduated from Lawrence University with a double degree in history and education. She went on to get a master’s degree and Minnesota teaching license from St. Catherine University and received her Waldorf teaching certification from Antioch University in 2017. In 2018, she completed her second master’s of education, focusing on the importance of relationships in teaching.

Seventh Grade Teacher

Elizabeth graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree in vocal music education and a Minnesota teaching license. She went on to receive her Waldorf teaching certification from the Waldorf Teacher Education program in Eugene, Oregon.

Elizabeth taught K–8 music in Minneapolis charter schools for three years, and while she found the work extremely satisfying, she still felt there was something missing. Elizabeth was introduced to Waldorf education at Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School in Viroqua, Wisconsin and felt an immediate sense of awe. This initial visit led her to seek out Waldorf education and eventually to MWS where the sense of awe continues to grow.

Sixth Grade Teacher

Martha (she/her) received a degree in Vocational Rehabilitation with a concentration in Special Education from University of Wisconsin-Stout, then furthered her education through the University of Minnesota. These studies resulted in two MN teaching licenses, K-12 Developmental Cognitive Disabilities and 9-12 Teacher Coordinator Work-Based Learning, and a certificate as a Transition Specialist. After being a special education teacher in public schools in the Twin Cities for many years, Martha discovered Waldorf Education and moved to Chicago in order to complete the Grades Teacher Training program at Arcturus. While there, she began the three-year journey of studying Educational Support through the Association of Healing Education. Martha has worked within several Waldorf school communities in classroom, administration, and therapeutic & academic support areas, and has been on the board of Urban Prairie Waldorf School and The Angela Day School. She has a private practice as a Therapeutic Support Educator where she works with individuals ranging from age 3 through adult to meet their unique needs.

Fifth Grade Teacher

Lara (she/they) grew up in Winona, MN and was lucky enough to spend her childhood on the Mississippi River and in the garden. They hold a BFA in Theatre as well as an MSEd in Elementary Education with a specialization in Waldorf methods.  After spending much of their 20’s in the Chicago arts and theatre scene, Lara took her first class at the Chicago Waldorf School, where she taught until 2012. 

Fourth Grade Teacher

Ms. Reilly holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Ohio University, a Certificate in Physical Theater and Circus Arts from the Dell’Arte School of Theater, and a Certificate of Waldorf Education from Antioch University NE.

After a long career in the performing arts, she made the switch to Waldorf Education and hasn’t looked back since! She has taught extensively for other programs, including science and art-based programs in public schools and circus arts courses across the US and abroad. She has found that the Waldorf approach fits exactly right for her and for her family.

Third Grade Teacher

Moriah found joy in teaching while interning at the Women’s Environmental Institute from 2009-2011. She worked with middle schoolers and taught organic farming, cooking, and community building skills. After discovering the inspiration that working with young people brings, she attended Waldorf teacher training and holds a Graduate Certificate in Waldorf Education from Antioch University. Moriah holds a BA in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Oregon State University, and finds that the lessons she learned about community and social justice are necessary tools in the classroom.

Moriah has been a class teacher since 2014 and joined MWS in 2022. She has previously held classes in Chicago and Southern Oregon.

Second Grade Teacher

Second Grade Teacher

Conradine has her masters degree in Deaf education from NYU and has completed the remedial education program at Rudolf Steiner College. She is a licensed acupuncturist, colorpuncturist, and rhythmical massage practitioner. She has taken many classes in reflex integration from the Masgutova Institute. In the eighties, she worked as a teacher at the Lexington School for the Deaf in NYC. Currently, She has a private practice in acupuncture /colorpuncture that she’s maintained for many years.

Conradine likes combining her interests in health and education and feels that working with Extra Lesson allows her to do this. She first came to Waldorf education and anthroposophy when looking for a school for her children. Her interest deepened twelve years ago when she took some classes with Kim John Payne and did the remedial program with Ingun Schneider.

First Grade Teacher

Redbird Blake joins the Minnesota Waldorf School in 2024 to teach the class of 2032.

Growing Together Lead Teacher

Emily graduated from UW- Eau Claire with an undergraduate degree in English Technical Writing, and she went on to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to complete her Master’s in Family Education with a license to teach Parent Education. Emily worked in the public school setting as an ECFE Parent Educator. Then, in 2020, she decided to step aside from her teaching position to homeschool her oldest daughter and pursue her art business. After some time painting and “road-schooling,” exploring 9 national parks with her family, she found her way to the Minnesota Waldorf School where she now facilitates the Growing Together program. She is also in the process of completing her Extra Lesson training through Waldorf Learning Support.

In addition to her schooling, Emily has held several positions supporting young children including summer camps, nannying, proctoring, and literacy support work. Emily is also a mother to three young children who all attend the Minnesota Waldorf School. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time outside with her family, especially gardening, hiking, and basking in sunlight. Emily is an avid reader, enjoys traveling and painting, and she loves to connect with other humans.

Preschool Lead Teacher

In 2020, Parvati and her family decided to relocate to Minneapolis for her son’s grades journey. She is glad to have made this move because it allowed her to find her way to Minnesota Waldorf School where she loves her students, her colleagues, and the opportunity to fulfill her dream of being  an Early Childhood Teacher. When Parvati is not busy knitting or crocheting, she loves to be outside–especially in a snow storm. She also loves spending time with her son and her crazy and zany doodles: Coffee and Bella. 

Currently training with Dr. Adam Blanning, Nancy Blanning, and Laurie Clark in Denver, CO, to better understand the deeper development needs of young children, she greatly enjoys the delight of a young child. She looks forward to each  time she lifts a silk to reveal a puppet show, and she never grows tired of the gleeful squeals and murmurs of young children joyfully taking in a new scene. 

Preschool Lead Teacher

Cristy has worked with children for 18 years in a myriad of settings. She was a nanny long-term for a couple of families, homeschooled her own children, organized hiking groups for parents and children, founded a democratically-run homeschool co-op called Prairie Song, and worked one-on-one and in group settings with children who had special needs at a local Montessori school.

Cristy has her BA in Child Development from Concordia University and is currently in training for her Waldorf early childhood certification from Great Lakes Waldorf Institute. She says working with young children is her calling and working within the Waldorf pedagogy is her passion.

Cristy and her family live in St Paul. She loves growing her perennial flower gardening every summer, swimming, writing, playing guitar, and sailing on their Tripp 30 when she finds the time!

Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Cedar Tree Kindergarten

Willow Tree Preschool

Birch Tree Kindergarten

Oak Tree Preschool