Gisela Baner

German

Gisela began teaching German specialty classes at SRWS in Fall 2008.  After leaving her home in Germany, she began working in Missouri schools in 2006. As well as working at SRWS, she has been teaching children's classes at the German Saturday School St. Louis for the past five years. Gisela attended Foreign Language Waldorf training at the Center for Anthroposophy in Wilton, NH. 

Kristin Carroll

Early Childhood Assistant

Going into her fourth year at SRWS, Kristin has over fifteen years experience in Early Childhood and Special Education programs. Currently, Kristin is enrolled in her second year of Waldorf Foundation Studies and she completed the Fundamentals of the Waldorf Kindergarten at Rudolf Steiner College in California in 2009.  Kristin enjoys gardening, art, and yoga. 

Makena Gray

Enrollment Coordinator

Makena graduated from Principia College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.  She has undergone Waldorf training at both Rudolf Steiner College in California and Kula Makua Institute in Hawai'i.  Currently going into her third year at SRWS, she previously spent three years at the Honolulu Waldorf School working in the administration and supervising the after-school program. Makena enjoys spending time with her two children and practicing Bikram yoga.

Kathy Garrison

Violin / Orchestra

Kathy graduated with a BA in Music from Truman State University in 2009. She continued her Training at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where she received lifetime Suzuki teaching certification under the mentor-ship of Susan Kempter. Kathy enjoys teaching private lessons at her home studio and performing in small ensembles whenever she can.

Kate Hannan

Grade 1/2 Lead Teacher and Grades Level Chair 

Kate and her daughter, are both eager to return to the SRWS classroom this Fall. Kate has a Masters Degree in Elementary Education and over thirteen years classroom experience. She enjoys incorporating music, movement, storytelling, and practical experience in her lessons to create a natural, child-centered classroom. She especially appreciates the joy and inspiration that the Waldorf curriculum offers. Kate has attended the Waldorf without Walls training, “ Rhythm & Rhyme" conference at the Waldorf Institute of Southeastern Michigan, the Grade 2 intensive at Sunbridge College in NY, and continues to participate in the Foundation Studies program at SRWS. She knew Shining Rivers was the place for her when she drove by and saw our students playing out in the meadow in the rain!

Crista Hanrahan

Early Childhood Lead Teacher and Early Childhood Level Chair

Most recently the Shining Rivers Waldorf School Kindergarten Lead teacher, Crista graduated from UM-St. Louis with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's from Fontbonne University.  She is going into her fifth year at SRWS and has lived in St. Louis for almost 25 years. Crista enjoys all aspects of working in and around the field of early childhood education.  Currently enrolled in Foundation Studies at SRWS, Crista has done Early Childhood intensives at Rudolf Steiner College and Waldorf Institute of Southern California. Crista enjoys her family and pets, cooking, exercising, and gardening.

Marcia Jaffe

Grade 1 Morning Lesson Teacher

Marcia received her Bachelor's degree from Tufts University in child development. She earned a Master's degree from Tulane University in lower elementary education, and then went on to teach in New Orleans. Marcia was a very involved parent and board member of the Waldorf School of New Orleans before moving to St. Louis. She loves singing, reading, and taking walks with her family in the beautiful parks here.

Steve Jent

Morning Lesson Teacher Grade 6

Steve is a 1981 graduate of Chicago State University (B.S.).  He has been involved with SRWS since 1996 and started teaching woodworking in 2000. He's had training in special education and is finishing his Waldorf teacher certification through Bellarmine.  Over the years, Steve's been a mainframe computer programmer, semi-professional folk artist, and amateur musical instrument builder. 

Michiyo Kishi

Early Childhood Lead Teacher / Faculty Chair

Most recently SRWS Lead Morning Garden teacher, Ms. Michiyo has a BA in Socio Linguistics (a.k.a. English) from Kobe College. She moved from Japan to St. Louis 12 years ago.  Michiyo has led or assisted with each of the Early Childhood programs at SRWS, including the Parent-Toddler Class, Morning Garden, and Kindergarten.  Currently working as a Lifeways mentor, Michiyo has completed the Lifeways training, is entering her second year of Foundation Studies at SRWS, and is enrolled in Waldorf EC certification program, with a M.A. cohort, at Rudolf Steiner College.

Bill Layher

Grade 5 Teacher

Kerry Neal

Administrative Coordinator and Grades Assistant

Kerry Neal join SRWS in 2005.  She attended the Waldorf without Walls training program in the summer of 2009 and a second grade intensive at Rudolph Steiner College in the summer of 2010.  She loves to spend her time making paper crafts and handwork projects and cannot pass up a great children's book. 

Brandy O'Brien

Grade 3 Teacher 

Before arriving at SRWS, Brandy graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. From there she journeyed with many classes ranging from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 4. Brandy enjoys cooking, building, gardening, writing, and dancing with her students as they enjoy the ‘hands-on’ Third Grade curriculum. 

Carol Partlow Fyock

Grade 4 Teacher

Carol taught fourth, fifth, and sixth grades in Willingboro NJ before moving to STL with her husband Bill.  She has a Bachelor's from Montana State University and a Master's of Education from Holy Family University in Philadelphia PA.  Her interests include family, friends, painting, gardening for wildlife, personal and spiritual growth, and community service.

Kelly Riney Feary

Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Most recently serving as the Shining Rivers Waldorf School Parent Child teacher, Kelly graduated in 1996 from Loras College with a BA in Early Childhood Education. Since graduating, Kelly has lived in California, Alaska, and Illinois while working in many areas of Early Childhood. She is a graduate of the Arcturus Rudolf Steiner Education and Waldorf Teacher Training Program in Chicago and ran a Waldorf-inspired early childhood program in Rockford, Illinois for five years. For fun, Kelly enjoys camping, canoeing, baking, and gardening.

Daniela Sales

Handwork Teacher

Mia Ulmer

Cooperative Games Teacher

Her passion for inspiring education and community connection brought Mia and her family to Shining Rivers Waldorf School in 2008. Mia has a Master Degree in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University and a wide experience in outdoor education, team building, and youth leadership programs. She is currently completing the Foundation Studies program and was a participant of the SRWS Biography group. Additionally, Mia recently attended Bal-A-Vis-X training and is excited to bring this activity to SRWS. Mia is the owner of Birchtree Studio, providing individual, family, and event photography. Birchtree Studio is the official photographer for SRWS covering events and annual school portraits.

Stacia Valley

Extended Care Coordinator

With their family's relocation to St. Louis in the Spring of 2011, Stacia found the Shining Rivers community. She was happy to continue the connection she found to Waldorf education in Colorado when her children enrolled at SRWS and soon joined the faculty. Stacia and Dan have energized the Extended Care program with their chickens, cob mixing, and baking. Stacia grew up in her family's independent book store and operated her own paper and coffee shop for many years. She gets excited about books, stationary, and art supplies. Stacia is completing the Foundation Studies program this year.

Ann Weidemann

School Director

Ann came to SRWS in September of 2007 with experience in business and nonprofit management.  She received a Masters of Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 

Laura Wiley

Early Childhood Assistant 

Laura recently graduated from Rutgers University with a BS in Ecology Evolution & Natural Resources. She encountered Waldorf education in New Jersey at the Princeton Waldorf School where she spent time in the Early Childhood program and attended lectures. Laura is also a seasonal instructor at the St. Louis Zoo.

Erin Winkles

Early Childhood Assistant 

Erin recently relocated back to St. Louis from Steelville, MO and is excited to join the SRWS community both as a parent and a faculty member. Erin graduated from Lindenwood University in 2001 with a degree in Human Services Agency Management and Environmental Studies. Erin is a Doula and has a background in community building.