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.
Ms. Vicki Stegall, Assistant Teacher
Vicki was blessed/cursed with the Gaia’s touch as a child when she ran into a wandering Daisy witch. Today any plants that Vicki touch immediately burst into bloom. Similarly, as Vicki works with young children, this same curse causes them to grow and bloom in her care. Vicki has been helping children to bloom and grow for 10 years. Along with the children in her classes, Vicki has also raised 3 children in a variety of ecosystems. Her ability to grow extends to the hearts of those around her as well, and thus Vicki has become a well loved member of the kinderwoods garden.
Vicki was blessed/cursed with the Gaia’s touch as a child when she ran into a wandering Daisy witch. Today any plants that Vicki touch immediately burst into bloom. Similarly, as Vicki works with young children, this same curse causes them to grow and bloom in her care. Vicki has been helping children to bloom and grow for 10 years. Along with the children in her classes, Vicki has also raised 3 children in a variety of ecosystems. Her ability to grow extends to the hearts of those around her as well, and thus Vicki has become a well loved member of the kinderwoods garden.
Huckleberry Preschool
Ms. Elf Nelson, Lead Teacher
Elf is a long lost princess who is currently on a quest to unite the peoples of this realm. As a previous protector of the realm, Elf’s quest has only recently returned her to our kinderwoods. Assisted by her tiny human Elf has lead the charge to slay the dragons of injustice and work as a voice for the overlooked. Her experience with children has displaced many of a pied-piper. Her royal training included skills such as handwork, enchanting games and the magic of compromise. Elf has built a garden knowledge and has seeds to share with those willing to grow.
Elf is a long lost princess who is currently on a quest to unite the peoples of this realm. As a previous protector of the realm, Elf’s quest has only recently returned her to our kinderwoods. Assisted by her tiny human Elf has lead the charge to slay the dragons of injustice and work as a voice for the overlooked. Her experience with children has displaced many of a pied-piper. Her royal training included skills such as handwork, enchanting games and the magic of compromise. Elf has built a garden knowledge and has seeds to share with those willing to grow.
Rae Schneider, Assistant Teacher
Rae is distantly related to Arachnie and has been gifted with a mystical ability to crochet the most wondrous creations from this distant relative. They have a mastery over yarn both in and out of fiber works. Rae has skills with building ties between the members of their class, and can turn tangled situations into tight knit relationships. Rae has been weaving their magic threads with children for 3 years. They have stockpiled their hooks of love and reason and are fully prepared to use them to create something magical in their classroom.
Rae is distantly related to Arachnie and has been gifted with a mystical ability to crochet the most wondrous creations from this distant relative. They have a mastery over yarn both in and out of fiber works. Rae has skills with building ties between the members of their class, and can turn tangled situations into tight knit relationships. Rae has been weaving their magic threads with children for 3 years. They have stockpiled their hooks of love and reason and are fully prepared to use them to create something magical in their classroom.
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.
Ms. Hannah Rose Byrd, Teacher Assistant
Hannah was born and raised in Olympia, where she spent much of her childhood exploring the woods, crafting, and reading novels. She began her professional journey as a doula and aspiring midwife, but found her path to sway in the direction of ECE after working as a nanny for many years. The moment she decided to peruse teaching, Olympia Waldorf found her in January of 2023. She believes in the importance of holding space for each child, and is excited to witness their personal growth through the years. She loves encouraging imaginative play and finding magic in the seemingly mundane. Hannah currently spends her free time quilting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, gardening, and spending time with her fiancé and their two dogs.
Hannah was born and raised in Olympia, where she spent much of her childhood exploring the woods, crafting, and reading novels. She began her professional journey as a doula and aspiring midwife, but found her path to sway in the direction of ECE after working as a nanny for many years. The moment she decided to peruse teaching, Olympia Waldorf found her in January of 2023. She believes in the importance of holding space for each child, and is excited to witness their personal growth through the years. She loves encouraging imaginative play and finding magic in the seemingly mundane. Hannah currently spends her free time quilting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, gardening, and spending time with her fiancé and their two dogs.
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.
