Eighth 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.

Seventh 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.

Sixth 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. 

Fifth 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.

Fourth 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.

Third Grade Teacher

First 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.

Second Grade Teacher

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
Known to students as Teacher Jessi, I bring nearly two decades of experience working with children from toddler age through middle school, with a special focus on preschool and kindergarten. I’ve been a Waldorf educator since 2007, most recently serving as a lead kindergarten teacher at City of Lakes Waldorf School for ten years. My own experience attending a Waldorf school from kindergarten through 8th grade deeply shaped my understanding of education and inspired me to explore what makes learning meaningful and lasting. I've completed Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Training coursework at Sunbridge Institute in Spring Valley, NY, and have taken elementary education courses at Normandale Community College. I am committed to lifelong learning and regularly take classes, read research, and keep in touch with Waldorf teachers across the country to stay responsive to the evolving needs of young children and their families.

I’m inspired by place-based education and the Waldorf approach, and I’m most passionate about building strong relationships, fostering a sense of belonging, and supporting families in the joyful—and sometimes challenging—work of raising children. Outside the classroom, I love spending time in nature around water, camping and hiking, as well as knitting, sewing, and enjoying the company of my two cats and teenaged son, Lachlan. 

Kindergarten 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

Extra Lesson
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.

Cedar Tree Kindergarten

Birch Tree Kindergarten

Kindergarten Asst.