Little Violet Preschool
Mrs. Mandy McCloud, Lead Teacher
Mandy attended OWS as a child before one day setting foot into a mushroom circle and disappearing for a few years. During her travels in the realms of the Fae, Mandy became quite adept at gathering fairy tails as the fairies using them discarded them for newer fashions. Mandy stored these tails through her journeys and even brought a few back with her to our realm. Mandy’s other talents include the ability to stretch time so that children always have enough of it to tell her a story or work out an issue, as well as fluent communication in the silent language of fairies. Now that Mandy has returned with all the tails, or as we humans call them tales, that she collected from the fairies she will gladly sit down and share one with you if you have the time and skill to listen.
Mandy attended OWS as a child before one day setting foot into a mushroom circle and disappearing for a few years. During her travels in the realms of the Fae, Mandy became quite adept at gathering fairy tails as the fairies using them discarded them for newer fashions. Mandy stored these tails through her journeys and even brought a few back with her to our realm. Mandy’s other talents include the ability to stretch time so that children always have enough of it to tell her a story or work out an issue, as well as fluent communication in the silent language of fairies. Now that Mandy has returned with all the tails, or as we humans call them tales, that she collected from the fairies she will gladly sit down and share one with you if you have the time and skill to listen.
Teacher RJ Baab, Assistant Teacher
RJ Babb hails from sunny California. One day, while in the woods with a pack full of art supplies, they set out to capture the magic of nature. Unbeknownst to them, they had settled into a fairy ring—and upon stepping out, they found themself in the mossy kingdom known as Washington. The forest fairies, amused and curious, watched RJ, recognizing a familiar spirit. Someone who tended to the laughter and learning of children. And so the fairies made a pact: in exchange for safe passage out of the woods, RJ would carry an enchantment forward—bringing their love and magic spirit wherever they went, helping little ones grow, guiding them gently, and honoring the wonder in their eyes. Today, RJ continues that quiet mission at Olympia Waldorf School. If you’re lucky, you might catch RJ spinning that magic into drawings, paintings, crochet, or whatever else their hands find to create.
RJ Babb hails from sunny California. One day, while in the woods with a pack full of art supplies, they set out to capture the magic of nature. Unbeknownst to them, they had settled into a fairy ring—and upon stepping out, they found themself in the mossy kingdom known as Washington. The forest fairies, amused and curious, watched RJ, recognizing a familiar spirit. Someone who tended to the laughter and learning of children. And so the fairies made a pact: in exchange for safe passage out of the woods, RJ would carry an enchantment forward—bringing their love and magic spirit wherever they went, helping little ones grow, guiding them gently, and honoring the wonder in their eyes. Today, RJ continues that quiet mission at Olympia Waldorf School. If you’re lucky, you might catch RJ spinning that magic into drawings, paintings, crochet, or whatever else their hands find to create.
Snapdragon Preschool
Ms. Claire Twitty, Lead Teacher
Claire is originally from Gig Harbor where she spent her childhood climbing trees and looking for crabs under rocks at the beach. She moved to Olympia a decade ago and quickly fell in love with the quirkiness of the town.
Claire discovered OWS in 2017 and was captivated by the magic of Waldorf Early Childhood immediately and knew this was the place where she belonged. Claire has spent the last seven years working in our EC program. Claire cannot envision herself on any other career path, for this work allows her to combine her passions as both an artist and musician. Outside of school, Claire enjoys a sweet, slow paced farm life where she lives with 3 goats, a large flock of chickens, 3 dogs, 5 cats, and 6 of her closest friends. Claire is ecstatic to be leading the Snapdragon class and continue serving as the nurturing guide in the sweet and warm environment she has built at OWS.
Claire is originally from Gig Harbor where she spent her childhood climbing trees and looking for crabs under rocks at the beach. She moved to Olympia a decade ago and quickly fell in love with the quirkiness of the town.
Claire discovered OWS in 2017 and was captivated by the magic of Waldorf Early Childhood immediately and knew this was the place where she belonged. Claire has spent the last seven years working in our EC program. Claire cannot envision herself on any other career path, for this work allows her to combine her passions as both an artist and musician. Outside of school, Claire enjoys a sweet, slow paced farm life where she lives with 3 goats, a large flock of chickens, 3 dogs, 5 cats, and 6 of her closest friends. Claire is ecstatic to be leading the Snapdragon class and continue serving as the nurturing guide in the sweet and warm environment she has built at OWS.
Sunflower Kindergarten
Ms. Susan Palmer, Lead Teacher
Susan Palmer was born in Olympia, Washington, and returned to the community in 2008 to begin teaching at Olympia Waldorf School. Susan grew up primarily in Alaska, where she enjoyed ice skating and camping as a child. She has fondest memories of her family's cabin by the Kenai River, with many years spent fishing and canning salmon. Susan has enjoyed living in all regions of the United States, with stays in the great cities of New York and Los Angeles along the way. She obtained her BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute, and completed graduate courses in writing. She followed her love of Waldorf Education to the Rudolf Steiner College in California, and completed her teacher training in the summer of 2009 Susan enjoys all aspects of Waldorf Kindergarten, but most delights in the children's enthusiasm for each new day. Susan has the great good fortune to spend time sharing her love of arts and language within the Kindergarten curriculum of stories and songs, nature and festivals. The magic found in Waldorf Kindergarten occurs when each child is fully seen and respected, and Susan considers it an honor to witness each child's developing consciousness. She endeavors to "hold the light," whether participating in moments of happy sharing, or those "teaching moments" fraught with conflict.
Susan Palmer was born in Olympia, Washington, and returned to the community in 2008 to begin teaching at Olympia Waldorf School. Susan grew up primarily in Alaska, where she enjoyed ice skating and camping as a child. She has fondest memories of her family's cabin by the Kenai River, with many years spent fishing and canning salmon. Susan has enjoyed living in all regions of the United States, with stays in the great cities of New York and Los Angeles along the way. She obtained her BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute, and completed graduate courses in writing. She followed her love of Waldorf Education to the Rudolf Steiner College in California, and completed her teacher training in the summer of 2009 Susan enjoys all aspects of Waldorf Kindergarten, but most delights in the children's enthusiasm for each new day. Susan has the great good fortune to spend time sharing her love of arts and language within the Kindergarten curriculum of stories and songs, nature and festivals. The magic found in Waldorf Kindergarten occurs when each child is fully seen and respected, and Susan considers it an honor to witness each child's developing consciousness. She endeavors to "hold the light," whether participating in moments of happy sharing, or those "teaching moments" fraught with conflict.
Dandelion Kindergarten
Ms. Shannon Kapp, Lead Teacher
Shannon was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. A dreamy child, she grew up wandering and wondering about the world around her. In 2008, Shannon began working with children as a nanny and spent her off hours composing music and traveling the United States. In 2012, Shannon moved to the Pacific Northwest where she would meet her husband, a fellow musician and teacher. Ever deepening her knowledge in various early childhood pedagogies, she found Waldorf and felt an instant kinship. With over 11 years worth of early childhood experience, Shannon came to OWS in the spring of 2022 as the Hearthcare program coordinator and for the past two years she worked as an assistant in the Sunflower kindergarten led by Susan Palmer. Shannon is over the moon to lead the Dandelion kindergarten class, nurturing their sense of wonder through music, story, movement and reverence for the world around us.
Shannon was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. A dreamy child, she grew up wandering and wondering about the world around her. In 2008, Shannon began working with children as a nanny and spent her off hours composing music and traveling the United States. In 2012, Shannon moved to the Pacific Northwest where she would meet her husband, a fellow musician and teacher. Ever deepening her knowledge in various early childhood pedagogies, she found Waldorf and felt an instant kinship. With over 11 years worth of early childhood experience, Shannon came to OWS in the spring of 2022 as the Hearthcare program coordinator and for the past two years she worked as an assistant in the Sunflower kindergarten led by Susan Palmer. Shannon is over the moon to lead the Dandelion kindergarten class, nurturing their sense of wonder through music, story, movement and reverence for the world around us.
Thimbleberry Kindergarten
Ms. Lucina Strandjord, Lead Teacher
Lucina grew up in Sebastopol, California, a small town on the edge of wine country. She enjoyed spending her childhood making art and playing in nature with her brother. Lucina spent most of her life in Waldorf education, from kindergarten all the way through Grade 12. After high school, she attended University of Puget Sound, where she received a Bachelor’s of Art in Science, Technology, and Society & German Studies in 2019. Lucina spends her free time beekeeping, baking, and hiking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. This is Lucina’s fourth year at Olympia Waldorf and she is very excited for this upcoming year with the Thimbleberry Kindergarten.
Lucina grew up in Sebastopol, California, a small town on the edge of wine country. She enjoyed spending her childhood making art and playing in nature with her brother. Lucina spent most of her life in Waldorf education, from kindergarten all the way through Grade 12. After high school, she attended University of Puget Sound, where she received a Bachelor’s of Art in Science, Technology, and Society & German Studies in 2019. Lucina spends her free time beekeeping, baking, and hiking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. This is Lucina’s fourth year at Olympia Waldorf and she is very excited for this upcoming year with the Thimbleberry Kindergarten.
